KK30/  B8d2 

mtl)fCttpoflmigork 

College  of  ^tPsJician^  anb  burgeons! 

Hibrarp 


Pr.  C.F.    M^cDoYta-li 


A  TEXT-BOOK 


DENTAL  PATHOLOGY 

AND 

THERAPEUTICS 

FOR  STUDENTS  AND  PRACTITIONERS 


BASED  UPON  THE  ORIGINAL  OF 

HENRY  H.  BURCHARD,  M.D.,  D.D.S. 

LATE   SPECIAL  LECTURER   ON   DENTAL  PATHOLOGY  AND  THERAPEUTICS   IN  THE   PHILADELPHIA 

DENTAL  COLLEGE 


REWRITTEN  BY 

OTTO  E.  INGLIS,  D.D.S. 

PROFESSOR   or   DENTAL  PATHOLOGY   AND  THERAPEUTICS   IN  THE   PHILADELPHIA 
DENTAL  COLLEGE 

FOURTH  EDITION,  THOROUGHLY  REVISED 
ILLUSTRATED   WITH    671    ENGRAVINGS   AND   A    COLORED    PLATE 


LEA    &    FEBIGER 

PHILADELPHIA    AND    NEW    YORK 
1912 


d^cwOciu.  ^u.^^-^  hn^i:^. 


i?\^  ■ 


Entered  according  to  the  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1912,  by 

LEA   &    FEBIGER 
in  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress.     All  rights  reserved. 


THIS 
VOLUME 

IS  RESPFXTFULLY  DEDICATED 
TO 

RUSSELL  H.  CONWELL,  D.D.,  LL.D. 

IX  RECOGXITION  OF  HIS  UNSELFISH 

EFFORTS  IN  THE 

OPENING  OF  OPPORTUNITIES 

FOR  EDUCATION 


PEEFACE  TO  FOURTH  EDITION 


As  Stated  by  the  Author  this  vokime  was  designed  as  a  text-book 
of  the  principles  and  practice  of  dental  medicine  for  the  use  of 
students,  and  as  a  reference  work  on  applied  special  pathology  and 
therapeutics  for  the  use  of  dentists.  Accepting  the  dictum  of  the 
advanced  teachers  of  the  day,  he  considered  that  an  entirely 
rational  system  of  dental  medicine  could  have  but  one  basis— 
namely,  the  same  principles  which  underlie  general  medical  and 
surgical  practice.  The  book  represents,  therefore,  an  attempt  at 
formulating,  from  data  obtained  from  every  available  source,  a 
system  of  dental  pathology  and  therapeutics  of  which  the  several 
parts  shall  be  in  harmony  with  one  another  and  also  with  the 
several  collateral  sciences  involved.  The  impulse  prompting  the 
work  was  no  desire  to  multiply  books,  but  arose  from  a  conviction 
expressed  by  many  teachers,  that  such  a  volume  was  needed  by 
students,  practitioners,  and  teachers. 

In  revising  the  work  for  this  new  edition,  the  Editor  has  endeavored 
to  maintain  the  original  idea  of  a  text-book  furnishing  a  description 
of  each  dental  disease  and  its  treatment  in  such  manner  that  teachers 
may  find  it  a  useful  adjunct  in  the  presentation  of  dental  pathology 
and  therapeutics  to  their  students.  The  development  in  this  branch 
of  dental  science  during  the  last  few  years  has  necessitated  many 
changes  in  the  text  to  reflect  the  present  advanced  position  of  the 
entire  subject.  ]\Iany  new  illustrations  have  been  added  to  increase 
its  value  for  didactic  purposes. 

In  place  of  the  original  section  on  Pharmacology,  which  was 
necessarily  limited  in  scope,  the  various  remedies  and  drugs  men- 
tioned are  fully  indexed  in  order  that  their  various  uses  as  applied 
to  the  therapy  of  the  pathological  conditions  discussed  may  be 
studied. 


vi  PREFACE  TO  FOURTH  EDITION 

The  thanks  of  the  Editor  are  due  to  those  who  have  kmdly  loaned 
vakiable  illustrations.    In  no  instance  has  a  request  been  denied. 

The  Editor  also  takes  this  opportunity  to  express  his  warm 
appreciation  of  the  continued  favor  bestowed  on  this  work  by 
professors  and  teachers  of  the  subject  throughout  this  Continent 
and  in  Europe. 

O.  E.  I. 

1524  Chestnut  Street,  Philadelphia. 


CONTENTS 

SECTION  I 
GENERAL  PATHOLOGY 

CHAPTER   I 
General  Prixciples 17 

CHAPTER   II 
Causes  of  Disease,  General  and  Local 27 

CHAPTER   III 
Microorganisms  as  Exciting  Causes  of  Disease 34 

CHAPTER   IV 
Disturbances  of  Nutrition 61 

CHAPTER   V 

Disturbances  of  the  Vascular  System 107 


SECTION  II 
E.MBRYOLOGY,  ANATOMY,  AND  HISTOLOGY 

CHAPTER   VI 

The  Development,  Anatomy  and  Histology  of  the  Jaws  and  Teeth     147 

CHAPTER   VII 
Dentition:  Its  Progress,  Variations,  and  Attendant  Disorders     .      185 

CHAPTER   VIII 
Malformations  and  [Malpositions  of  the  Teeth 229 


viii  CONTENTS 

SECTION  III 
AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  ENAjNIEL  AND  DENTIN 

CHAPTER   IX 

Abrasion,  Erosiox,  axd  Stains 283 

CHAPTER  X 
Stains  of  the  Enamel  and  Dentin         312 

CHAPTER  XI 
Dental  Caries:  History;  Exciting  and  Predisposing  Causes  .     320 

CHAPTER  XII 
Dental  Caries:  Pathology,  Morbid  Anatomy^,  and  Clinical  History     342 

CHAPTER  XIII 
Dental  Caries:  Diagnosis,  Symptoms,  and  Prognosis 373 

CHAPTER  XIY 

Dental  Caries:  Therapeutics  and  Prophylaxis 395 


SECTION  IV 
DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

CHAPTER  XV 
Constructive  Diseases 423 

CHAPTER  XVI 
Destructive  Diseases  of  the  Dental  Pulp 444 

CHAPTER  XVII 
Methods  of  Removal  of  the  Dental  Pulp  and  Root-canal  Filling  490 

CHAPTER  XVIII 
Gangrene  of  the  Pulp 537 


CONTENTS  ix 

SECTION  V 

DISEASES  OF  THE  PERICEMENTUM 

CHAPTER   XIX 

Septic  Apical  Pericementitis  (Acute) 561 

CHAPTER   XX 

Chronic  Septic,  Purulent,  Apical  Pericementitis  (Chronic  Apical 

Abscess) 584 

CHAPTER   XXI 
Non-septic  Pericementitis 614 


SECTION  VI 

PERICEMENTAL  DISEASES  BEGINNING  AT  THE 
GUM  MARGIN 

CHAPTER  XXII 
Gingivitis 641 

CHAPTER  XXIII 
Salivary  and  Serumal  Calculus 658 

CHAPTER  XXIV 

Pyorrhea  Alveolaris 678 

CHAPTER  XXV 

Pericemental  Abscess 708 

CHAPTER  XXVI 
Reflex  Disorders  of  Dental  Origin 715 

CHAPTER  XXVII 
Infections  of  and  from  the  Mouth,  and  Sterilization     ....     729 


DENTAL  PATHOLOGY  AND  THERAPEUTICS 


SECTION    I 

GENERAL  PATHOLOGY 


CHAPTER    I 

GENERAL   PRINCIPLES 

General  pathology  {pathos,  disease,  and  logos,  a  discourse)  is  that 
branch  of  science  which  treats  of  the  modifications  in  function  and 
changes  in  structure  occurring  in  disease.  It  embraces  all  patho- 
logical processes  occurring  in  the  human  body,  and  as  many  of  these 
occur  in  and  about  the  teeth,  modified  only  by  the  peculiar  anatomy 
of  the  parts,  Dental  Pathology  may  be  said  to  be  that  branch  of 
dental  science  which  treats  of  modifications  in  function  and  changes 
in  structure  occurring  in  the  diseases  of  the  teeth  and  associate  parts. 

This  being  true,  it  follows  that  the  study  of  dental  pathology  must 
be  preceded  by  a  study  of  the  general  disease  processes  which  affect 
the  tissues  of  the  body,  and  such  of  these  as  are  applicable  to  the 
study  are  known  as  the  General  Principles. 

The  word  Therapeutics  is  derived  from  the  Greek  therapeuin,  to 
take  care  of,  meaning  the  measures  adopted  to  remedy  or  remove 
the  changes  induced  by  pathological  processes. 

The  study  of  the  pathology  of  a  part  begins  with  a  study  of  its 
anatomy  and  histology,  then  naturally  follows  a  study  of  its  physi- 
ology and  embryology.  These  form  the  basis  from  which  degrees 
of  abnormal  function  and  altered  structure  may  be  judged  by  com- 
parison with  similar  processes  occurring  in  other  parts  of  the  body. 

The  body  is  composed  of  cells  held  together  by  intercellular  sub- 
stance. These  cells  are  the  essential  functionating  parts  of  the 
organism;  each  cell  is  composed  of  a  small  mass  of  protoplasm 
containing  in  nearly  all  cases  a  nucleus,  and  has  a  form  adapted  to 
2 


18  GENERAL  PRINCIPLES 

its  environment  and  function.  The  exact  chemical  composition  of 
protoplasm  is  unknown  and  efforts  at  analysis  destroy  its  peculiar 
property  as  a  substance  exhibiting  a  sequence  of  phenomena  called 
life.  It  is  a  \iscid  substance  composed  physically  of  a  network,  the 
spongioplasm,  containing  a  slightly  more  fluid  substance,  the  hyalo- 
plasm.^ Chemically  it  is  70  per  cent,  water  containing  a  collection 
of  proteids,  and  differs  as  to  these  in  the  different  classes  of  cells. 
Proteids  are  but  imperfectly  understood,  but  are  known  to  consist 
essentially  of  carbon,  hydrogen,  oxygen,  and  nitrogen,  combined 
with  sulphur  and  other  varying  elements  in  enormous  molecules 

approximately  represented  by  the  formula 
^'°'  ^  C400H310O120N50S."    This  formula   represents 

merely  the  quantities  of  these  elements, 
which  are  probably  combined  into  various 
chemical  compounds  in  the  cell,  including 
one  or  more  carbohydrate  radicals,  and  each 
having  its  peculiar  affinity  for  food  materials, 
capacity  for  energy  or  function,  and  reduc- 
tion of  waste  or  useless  cell  material.  The 
study  of  the  properties  of  cell  protoplasm 
P^ZXr;'""™,:;  '^^r  ^e  made  by  observing  in  dtu  the 
N,  nucleus.  action  of    Hviug  cells   under  normal  con- 

ditions, and  when  subjected  to  artificial 
stimuli,  and  by  observing  the  action  of  free  single  cells,  such  as 
an  ameba,  under  like  conditions. 

If  a  drop  of  water  be  taken  from  the  sides  or  bottom  of  an  aqua- 
rium, placed  on  a  slide  and  covered  with  a  cover-glass,  and  then 
placed  under  a  microscope  with,  first,  a  j"  objective,  there  will  be 
noted  at  some  portion  of  the  fluid  a  small  transparent  mass  having 
the  appearance  of  a  colorless  fragment  of  jelly;  this  is  an  ameba. 
The  outline  of  the  mass  may  have  almost  any  form.  At  some  por- 
tion there  will  be  a  defined  and  easily  distinguished  spot,  the  nucleus; 
at  another  point  a  vesicle  is  seen;  the  body  of  the  ameba  appears  to 
contain  numbers  of  fine  granules.  The  nucleus  appears  more  mark- 
edly granular  than  the  body  of  the  ameba.  If  kept  under  obser- 
vation, the  ameba  will  be  seen  to  change  its  outlines;  at  one  or  more 
and  it  may  be  in  several  places,  projections  like  blunt  arms  or  feet 
are  seen  to  be  extending  from  the  ameba  (Fig.  1).  On  account  of 
their  appearance  they  are  called  by  the  physiologist  pseudopodia, 
from  psrudo,  false,  and  pous,  a  foot— false  feet.  These  changes  of 
form  are  much  varied  (Fig.  ?.).    The  cell  has,  therefore,  the  property 

>  Kirke's  Physiology.  2  Schoficld:  Elementary  Physiology. 


PROPERTIES  OF  CELLS 


19 


of  altering  its  form — i.  e.,  it  has  mobility  and  contractility.  If 
the  temperature  of  the  slide  be  raised  the  movements  of  the  cell 
become  more  rapid,  and  if  raised  to  a  temperature  of  55°  C.  the 
cell  contracts  in  a  round  lump;  it  responds  to  stimuli,  and  has 
therefore  the  property  of  irritability. 

Fig.  2 


Ameboid  movement  of  a  white  blood  corpuscle  of  man;  various  phases  of  movement.     (Klein.) 

When  certain  solid  substances  contained  in  the  water  come  in 
contact  with  the  ameba,  the  latter  is  seen  to  flow  around  and  engulf 
them;  as  is  shown  in  Figs.  3  and  4,  where  the  analogue  of  an  ameba, 
a  leukocyte,  has  taken  in  bacteria  (phagocytosis).  After  a  time  the 
ingested  body  is  found  to  have  disappeared;  it  has  been  digested. 
Evidently  the  cell  must  produce  a  substance  capable  of  dissolving 
some  foreign  substances — i.  e.,  it  has  the  function  of  secretion.  This 
is  due  to  a  digestive  enzyme  analogous  to  trypsin,  which  has  been 
experimentally  isolated  from  ameba. ^     More  than  this,  the  ameba 


Fig.  3 


Fig.  4 


Fig.  3. — Leukocyte  of  a  frog  from  theneighbor- 
hood  of  a  piece  of  the  lung  of  a  mouse  infected 
with  anthrax,  about  forty-two  hours  after  the  piece 
of  lung  had  been  placed  under  the  skin  of  the  frog's 
back.  The  leukocyte  is  in  the  act  of  eating  up  an 
anthrax  bacillus.     (Brunton,  after  Metchnikoff.) 


Fig.  4. — The  same  leukocyte  a  few 
minutes  later,  after  it  has  completely 
enveloped    the     bacillus.        (Brunton, 

after  Metchnikoff.) 


does  not  take  in  substances  indiscriminately;  some  it  rejects.  All 
cells  change  the  chemical  nature  of  the  media  in  which  they  grow, 
both  by  exhausting  the  nutritive  supply  and  ejecting  their  excreta. 
If  the  observations  are  continued,  it  will  be  noticed  that  changes 
occur  in  the  nucleus  of  the  cell.  A  series  of  alterations  in  its  figure 
are  noted,  as  shown  in  Fig.  5.  Two  nuclei  are  formed,  and  soon  the 
body  of  the  cell  divides  and  two  cells  appear — the  ameba  has  repro- 
duced itself.     This  primitive  cell  has,  therefore,  the  properties  of 


1  Hiss  and  Zinsser;  Text-book  of  Bacteriology. 


20  GENERAL  PRINCIPLES 

irritability,  contractility,  secretion,  and  excretion  (as  will  be  seen 
in  later  studies),  and  reproduction;  moreover,  it  responds  to  stimuli, 
as  seen  on  warming  the  stage. 

If  the  stage  be  cooled,  the  movements  of  the  protoplasm  are 
lessened,  and  when  foreign  substances  come  in  contact  with  the  cell 
it  fails  to  encompass  them — its  irritability  and  contractility  are 
lessened. 

It  is  noted  that  some  simple  cells  are  attracted  and  stimulated  by 
light;  others  are  repelled  by  it. 

If  a  mild  induction  (interrupted)  current  be  passed  through  the 
water  in  which  the  ameba  is,  the  movements  of  the  cells  are  checked; 

Fig.  5 


Forms  assumed  by  a  nucleus  in  dividing:  a,  resting  nucleus;  b,  skein-form,  open  stage;  c, 
wreath-form;  d,  aster,  or  star-form;  e,  equatorial  stage  of  division;  /,  separation  more  advanced; 
g  and  /(,  star  and  wreath  forms  of  daughter  nuclei.  (Reduced  from  Flemming's  drawings  in  the 
Arch.  f.  Mik.  Anat.) 

if  a  strong  current  be  passed,  the  cell  contracts  sharply.  If  a  gal- 
vanic (constant)  current  be  passed,  movement  at  first  ceases,  but 
pseudopodia  are  extruded  toward  the  cathode  and  the  cell  crawls 
toward  that  pole.^ 

The  cell  responds  to  mechanical  stimuli,  such  as  violent  shaking, 
by  contraction. 2 

If  substances  such  as  ether  or  chloroform  are  added  to  the  fluid, 
the  irritability  of  the  cell  is  so  lessened  that  it  does  not  respond  to 
stimuli.    It  is  either  chilled  by  evaporation  or  actually  anesthetized. 

If  the  supply  of  oxygen  be  cut  off,  or  if  carbon  dioxid  be  admitted 
to  the  fluid,  movement  ceases  and  the  cell  remains  contracted. 

These  examples  serve  to  illustrate  that  protoplasm  responds  to 
stimuli  of  physical  and  chemical  nature,  and  that  its  functions  may 
be  altered  by  substances  which  are  brought  in  contact  with  it. 

>  O.  Hertwig:  The  Cell.  "  Ibid. 


PROPERTIES  OF  CELLS  21 

Upon  these  facts  depends  the  practice  of  therapeutics,  in  which 
stimulation  or  sedation  is  usually  aimed  at. 

A  living  organism,  it  will  be  seen,  has  a  certain  degree  of  action 
and  function.  The  general  average  of  its  action  and  function  is 
spoken  of  as  a  condition  of  health.  When  from  any  cause  the  func- 
tions are  raised  or  lowered  from  the  general  average,  a  condition  of 
disease  exists. 

Stimulation. — Certain  agencies  applied  to  the  cell  increase  its 
activity;  this  is  called  stimulation.  The  movements  of  the  cell 
become  more  rapid,  food  particles  are  taken  in  more  rapidly  and 
disappear  more  quickly;  irritability,  contractility,  and  secretion  are 
increased.  The  cell  subdivides,  or  reproduces  more  quickly.  In- 
crease the  stimulation,  and  the  vital  activity  becomes  fretful;  in 
some  cases  cell  division  is  incomplete — the  nucleus  divides,  but  not 
the  cell  body.  Increase  the  stimulation  beyond  this  degree,  and  the 
wearied  cell  ceases  its  movements — refuses  to  respond;  is  paralyzed 
by  overwork. 

Sedation. — If  the  conditions  be  reversed;  if,  instead  of  applying 
a  stimulus  to  the  cell,  an  opposite  influence  be  introduced,  the 
phenomena  are  reversed. 

If  the  temperature  be  reduced,  the  movements  of  the  cell  become 
sluggish;  the  body  changes  its  form  more  slowly  and  less  extensively — 
i.  e.,  contractility  is  lessened;  particles  taken  into  the  cell  remain 
apparently  unchanged;  irritability,  secretion,  and  excretion  are 
lessened;  and,  furthermore,  reproduction  does  not  occur  nearly  so 
rapidly — that  is,  the  cell  in  contact  with  sedative  influences  has  all 
of  its  activities  lessened. 

There  are  two  great  classes  of  influences,  then,  which  aft'ect  the 
vitality  of  cells:  stimulation,  which,  if  continued  long  enough,  leads 
to  death  through  overwork;  and  sedation,  which,  if  continued, 
paralyzes  all  the  energies  of  the  cell — it  is  starved  to  death. 

Every  cell  has  a  range  of  resistance  to  these  influences  which  tend 
to  destroy  it,  which  is  fitly  termed  the  resistance  of  vitality.  Disease 
itself  is  some  alteration  in  any  one  or  more  of  these  several  cell  proper- 
ties, of  irritability,  contractility,  growth,  secretion,  maintenance, 
or  reproduction.  If  any  one  of  these  properties  is  not  exhibited,  it 
is  said  that  the  cell  is  diseased. 

If  a  brood  of  cells  derived  from  one  parent  be  examined,  some  will 
be  seen  to  grow  more  rapidly  than  others,  their  movements  are 
more  rapid  and  they  reproduce  more  quickly;  others  have  sluggish 
functions  and  movements. 

The  cell  lives  its  cycle  and  reproduces,  and  the  parent  is  no  more, 
the  life  being  continued  in  the  offspring. 


22  GENERAL  PRINCIPLES 

The  life  and  properties  of  this  small  mass  of  protoplasm  represent 
in  miniature  the  primitive  functions  and  life  of  the  highest  animals. 

The  contractility  is  represented  in  the  motive  apparatus  of  the 
higher  animals. 

The  reception,  engulfing,  and  dissolving,  or  casting  out,  of  bodies 
with  which  the  ameba  is  brought  in  contact  correspond  in  the  higher 
animals  to  the  digestive  apparatus  and  process  and  the  excretory 
function.  This  digestion  is  perhaps  more  analogous  to  body  cell 
action  in  its  reception  of  food  from  the  blood  and  further  digestion 
by  enzymes  in  the  cell  and  by  cell  excretion. 

The  highly  evolved  irritability  is  represented  in  the  nervous  system 
of  the  higher  animals. 

The  movements  occurring  in  and  about  the  vacuole  are  the  pro- 
genitors of  the  circulatory  apparatus  and  all  of  its  adjunct  organs. 

If  the  irritability  of  a  simple  cell  be  increased  or  diminished,  it 
corresponds  to  a  disease  of  the  nervous  system,  and  so  with  the 
other  functions. 

In  the  human  body  certain  collections  of  cells  are  found  in  which 
one  function  is  active,  the  others  in  abeyance;  thus,  large  colonies 
of  cells  exist  in  which  contractility  is  the  dominant  property  noted; 
these  are  muscle  cells.  Others  have  but  the  property  of  irritability; 
these  are  nerve  cells.  Still  others  develop  peculiar  chemical  functions, 
and  become  glandular  or  secretory  cells.  Such  collections  of  cells 
are  known  as  tissues.  These  special  cell  colonies  or  tissues  are  built 
together  into  defined  masses  for  the  performance  of  their  specialized 
functions.  In  the  development  of  these  masses,  means  of  holding  and 
maintaining  the  cells  in  definite  mass  forms  and  provisions  for  their 
food  supply  and  waste-removing  apparatus  are  provided  in  what  are 
called  the  connective  tissues,  binding  the  cells  in  definite  forms  and 
transmitting  their  vascular  supply  (food-  and  waste-carrier).  When 
thus  bound  together  the  tissues  are  said  to  form  organs. 

While  all  tissues  are  capable  of  analysis  into  cells  and  intercellular 
substance,  a  more  practical  view  may  resolve  the  tissues  into  (1)  func- 
tional cells;  (2)  a  supporting  intercellular  substance;  (3)  intercellular 
spaces  in  which  flows  the  lymph  derived  from  the  blood ;  (4)  the  chan- 
nels of  circulation  and  conductors  of  nervous  impulses — i.  e.,  arteries, 
capillaries,  veins,  lymphatics,  and  nerves.  The  arteries  bring  to  the 
tissues  the  blood  freighted  with  oxygen  and  nutrient  material.  As  it 
passes  through  the  capillaries  a  portion  of  the  blood  plasma,  under 
arterial  pressure  and  osmotic  force,  passes  into  the  intercellular 
spaces  into  contact  with  the  cells.  This  exuded  fluid  is  now  called 
lymph. 

Stated  in  general  terms,  the  food  materials  contained  in  arterial 


NUTRITION  23 

blood  and  furnished  to  the  tissues  by  way  of  the  lymph  are  water, 
proteids,  ghicose  and  fats  or  their  elements,  inorganic  salts,  and 
oxygen.  From  this  store  the  cells  take  what  they  require,  and  within 
themselves  they  elaborate  substances  essential  to  their  growth  and 
maintenance  as  masses  of  functionating  protoplasm,  and  as  the  pro- 
toplasm is  of  more  complex  composition  than  the  majority  of  food 
elements,  they  are  said  to  form  from  simple  compounds  substances  of 
a  higher  degree  of  complexity  (anabolism).  From  their  substance  the 
cells  eject  into  the  lymph  stream  such  waste  products  as  result  from 
the  breaking  down  of  the  pre\dously  formed  protoplasm  (catabolism). 
The  total  process  is  termed  metabolism. 

While  the  exact  nature  of  the  chemical  change  occurring  in  cells  is 
not  known,  the  present  thought  is  that  much  of  the  process  of  cell 
metabolism  is  conducted  within  the  cell  through  the  action  of  one 
or  more  enzymes  which  have  the  power  of  catalytically  effecting 
prompt  and  smooth  chemical  changes  at  low  temperature  which  can 
at  times  be  produced  in  the  laboratory  only  by  complicated  experi- 
ments not  at  all  comparable  with  the  action  of  cells. 

Various  organs  of  the  body  evidently  prepare  the  food  material 
absorbed  by  the  intestines  for  the  use  of  the  cells — for  example,  gly- 
cogen is  formed  from  the  absorbed  glucose  by  the  ferment  of  liver 
cells,  and  when  needed  again  is  transformed  into  glucose. 

Ehrlich's  side-chain  theory  for  immunity  (which  see)  presupposes 
the  presence  of  atom  groups  of  protoplasm  surrounding  a  complex 
group  of  atom  groups,  the  nucleus,  each  atom  group  having  affinity 
for  a  particular  form  of  substance  presented  to  it.  These  he  terms 
receptors,  and  each  is  supposed  to  possess  a  combining  or  prehending 
group  of  atoms  called  an  haptophorous  group  and  a  ferment  group 
capable  of  altering  the  chemistry  of  the  food  element  to  suit  its  needs 
or  that  of  the  cell  as  a  whole;  this  latter  group  is  termed  a  zymoph- 
orous  group.  This  obviously  is  merely  stating  in  a  scientific  manner 
that  the  cell  receives  and  digests  food  materials.  The  carbohydrates 
and  fats  are  in  the  main  the  producers  of  energy,  and  are,  lastly, 
resolved  into  glucose  and  fat  or  their  elements  for  the  consumption 
of  the  cells,  and  by  them  appropriated  into  their  protoplasm,  whence, 
by  catabolic  changes,  they  are  started  upon  their  retrogressive 
course  to  the  final  products  CO2  and  water.  The  proteids  are  mainly 
useful  for  the  building  of  the  cell  protoplasm  and  its  maintenance, 
and  when  catabolized  end  in  products  which  in  other  organs  are 
transformed  into  urea  and  uric  acid.  Experimental  evidence  has 
shown  that  after  energy  has  been  liberated  to  the  point  of  fatigue, 
there  is  an  actual  loss  of  substance  by  the  cells,  in  consequence  of 
which  they  become  smaller  and  of  different  histological  appearance. 


24  GENERAL  PRINCIPLES 

It  is  evident,  therefore,  that  any  condition  which  will  produce  an 
expenditure  of  energy  without  a  compensating  restoration  of  cell 
material  must  result  in  a  malnutritional  process. 

There  is  evidence  that  changes  occur  in  the  cell  waste  either  in  the 
blood  or  in  various  organs  of  the  body.  While,  then,  the  bodily  ejecta 
contain  substances  fairly  constant  in  composition,  they  are  held  to 
represent  elaborations  of  cell  waste  rather  than  actual  cell  ejecta. 
For  example,  urea  is  pretty  certainly  derived  from  muscular  tissue, 
3'et  is  nearly  absent  in  muscle  and  is  supposed  to  be  due  to  the  dehy- 
dration of  ammonium  carbonate  in  the  liver.^  Lactic  acid  and  ammo- 
nium carbonate  have  been  experimentally  shown  to  be  probably  com- 
bined into  uric  acid  in  the  liver.  The  cell  waste  is  carried  by  the 
lymph  into  the  lymphatics  connecting  with  the  intercellular  spaces. 
Thence  it  is  delivered  by  way  of  the  venous  system  to  the  circulation 
for  further  elaboration  and  elimination  from  the  body.  Any  inter- 
ference with  such  elaboration  or  elimination  must  of  necessity  result 
in  a  retention  of  waste  products  within  the  system,  probably  leading 
to  irritation  and  disturbance  of  metabolism  in  all  cells. 

Cell  naetabolism  is  a  chemical  change  and  is  therefore  accompanied 
by  heat  production.  Energy  is  stored  up  in  the  cell  as  latent  force 
capable  of  liberation  under  stimulus,  which  force  is  expressed  in 
various  forms  of  functional  activity — i.  e.,  contractility  in  muscular 
tissue,  irritability  and  mentality  in  nervous  tissue,  secretion  in  the 
various  secretory  glands,  eliminative  selection  in  the  various  excretory 
organs,  etc.  Cells  after  a  period  of  activity  undergo  degenerative 
processes,  and  are  removed  or  reproduced  by  the  process  of  mitosis 
(Fig.  5). 

The  life  conditions  of  cells  are  necessarily  those  under  which  they 
best  perform  these  functions  without  exhaustion,  and  are  the  following : 
(1)  A  proper  food  supply,  including  water  and  oxygen;  (2)  a  proper 
removal  of  waste  products;  (3)  proper  physical  conditions,  includ- 
ing a  proper  temperature;  (4)  possibly  a  proper  innervation.  Any 
interference  with  these  conditions,  which  may  be  termed  the  normal 
physiological  conditions,  results  in  a  morbid  process  of  physiology  or 
pathology  in  its  limited  sense.  With  such  interference  disease  may 
be  said  to  begin.  The  definition  of  disease  as  an  alteration  of  nutrition 
is  therefore  appropriate.  For  this  reason  the  proximate  exciting 
causes  of  disease  are  classed  as  (1)  abnormal  food  supply;  (2)  abnor- 
mal waste  removal;  (3)  abnormal  physical  conditions;  (4)  abnormal 
nerve  supply. 

The  morbid  physiology  results  in  morbid  products  or  in  retained 

'  Kirke's  Physiology. 


DISEASE  25 

normal  products  and  an  altered  cell  function.  When  pronounced 
this  is  spoken  of  as  Functional  Disease,  although  it  may  he  said  to 
be  in  existence  even  if  discomfort  be  not  produced.  Sooner  or  later 
an  abnormal  change  in  the  histological  characteristics  of  the  cells 
or  intercellular  substance  may  occur  which  has  been  referred  to  as 
]\Iorbid  Histology  or  Pathological  Histology.  As  definite  micro- 
scopic and  often  macroscopic  appearances  are  associated  with  certain 
diseased  conditions,  these  are  referred  to  as  the  Morbid  Anatomy  of  a 
Disease  or  Pathological  Anatomy.  The  phenomena  associated  with  a 
disease  are  called  its  Semeiology  {semeion,  a  mark  or  sign)  or  Symp- 
tomatology, and  are  either  described  by  the  patient  as  sensations  or 
pains  of  varied  character  or  situation  (Subjective  Symptoms),  or  may 
be  noted  by  normal  or  aided  vision,  by  physical  examination,  or 
chemical  analysis  (Objective  Symptoms).  That  which  excites  a 
disease  or  promotes  the  action  of  the  excitation  is  called  a  Disease 
Cause.  The  study  of  disease  causes  is  Etiology  {actios,  a  cause,  and 
logos).  It  is  noted  that  diseases  having  a  fairly  defined  pathology 
and  morbid  anatomy  have  from  their  beginning  to  ending  tolerably 
constant  phenomena;  they  have  each  a  natural  history;  this  is  called 
the  Clinical  History  of  a  Disease. 

The  study  of  the  origin  and  development  of  a  disease  together  is 
known  as  its  Pathogenesis  {pathos,  disease;  gennao,  I  produce). 
Through  the  study  of  the  characteristic  symptoms  of  diseases,  as 
well  as  those  common  to  several  diseases,  a  particular  disease  may  be 
distinguished.  This  is  called  Diagnosis  {dia,  through;  gignosko,  I 
know)— Direct  Diagnosis  when  there  is  no  question  as  to  the  symp- 
toms, Differential  Diagnosis  when  several  diseases  are  possible  and 
the  characteristics  of  one  are  considered  as  more  pronounced.  Under 
certain  circumstances  a  disease  may  be  inferred  to  be  present  by 
excluding  all  other  possible  conditions  (Diagnosis  by  Exclusion).  In 
the  course  of  a  disease  experience  has  shown  that  certain  signs  and 
symptoms  are  apt  to  be  followed  by  good  or  ill  results,  as  the  case 
may  be.  By  these  signs  and  symptoms  it  may  be  foretold  with  some 
degree  of  assurance  what  will  be  the  probable  outcome  of  the  disease. 
The  inference  based  upon  these  symptoms  is  known  as  the  Prognosis 
{pro,  before,  and  gignosko,  I  know).  The  care  of  or  treatment  of  a 
disease  is  its  Therapeutics.  This  involves  a  knowledge  of  remedies 
applicable,  known  as  the  ^Materia  ]Medica.  When  applied  upon  the 
basis  of  a  scientific  study  of  the  pathogenesis,  clinical  history,  and 
prognosis  of  disease  and  a  parallel  knowledge  of  the  physiological 
action  of  drugs  and  of  other  remedies,  the  treatment  is  known  as 
Rational  Therapeutics.     AMien  the  treatment  is  based  upon  the 


26  GENERAL  PRINCIPLES 

known  good  effects  of  a  remedy  in  a  certain  disease,  and  not  upon 
its  physiological  action,  it  is  known  as  Empirical  Therapeutics. 

The  pathogenesis  of  a  disease  being  known,  intelligent  efforts  may 
be  exerted  for  its  prevention.  The  causes  may  be  removed  or  neutral- 
ized before  they  have  an  opportunity  to  act;  this  is  Prophylaxis.  The 
science  of  prevention  of  disease  upon  the  broad  basis  of  a  knowledge 
of  disease  causes  and  observance  of  laws  of  health  is  Hygiene. 

It  will  be  seen  that  a  knowledge  of  special  pathology  can  only  be 
obtained  from  (1)  a  knowledge  of  pathology  in  general  or  at  least  of 
those  principles  of  general  pathology  which  underlie  all  disease  pro- 
cesses; (2)  a  knowledge  of  the  local  anatomy  and  histology;  (3)  a 
knowledge  of  local  embryology  and  physiology;  (4)  a  study  of  local 
pathology  and  morbid  anatomy.  To  this  must  be  added  a  study  of 
materia  medica  and  special  therapeutics. 


CHAPTER    II 

CAUSES  OF  DISEASE,   GENERAL  AND   LOCAL 

A  DISEASE  cause  may  be  defined  as  any  influence  of  whatsoever 
nature  which  is  capable  of  disturbing  the  nutritive  balance  of  any 
portion  of  the  body.  The  branch  of  study  which  deals  with  the  causes 
of  disease  is  called  Etiology. 

The  causes  of  disease  are  classed  as  Exciting  (or  Determining) 
and  Predisposing.  These  are  each  divisible  into  Extrinsic,  originating 
from  without,  and  Intrinsic,  originating  within  the  body. 

EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE 

These  are  influences,  either  extrinsic  or  intrinsic,  which  are  com- 
petent to  suddenly  or  gradually  interfere  with  the  nutrition  of  the 
cells  of  a  part  or  with  the  general  nutrition  of  cells.  These  influ- 
ences are  very  numerous,  but  may  be  grouped  according  to  their 
action  under  a  few  convenient  headings:  (1)  Abnormal  Food  Supply. 
(2)  Abnormal  Waste  Removal.  (3)  Abnormal  Physical  Conditions. 
(4)  Abnormal  Nerve  Supply. 

These  are  termed  the  Proximate  Exciting  Causes,  as  their  effects 
are  immediately  exerted  upon  the  cells.  Other  causes  may  be  back 
of  these  and  are  spoken  of  as  Primary  (or  Contributory)  Causes — 
e.  g.,  tuberculosis  of  the  lungs  (primary)  may  cause  insufficient 
ox}'genation  of  the  blood  which  constitutes  an  abnormal  food  supply 
(proximate) . 

Abnormal  Food  Supply. — By  abnormal  food  supply  is  meant  an 
altered  quantity  or  quality  of  nutritive  elements  delivered  to  the 
cells  either  of  a  part  or  of  the  entire  body.  The  primary  causes  of 
this  may  exist  as  disturbances  or  faults  in  any  of  the  food-elaborating 
organs,  the  lungs,  the  eliminating  organs,  or  the  oxygen  carriers  of 
the  blood  may  exist  in  lessened  numbers.  In  the  first  case  the  quality 
or  quantity  of  nutritive  material  is  impaired,  in  the  second  and  fourth 
cases  oxygenation  is  insufficient,  and  in  the  third  case  materials  in- 
jurious to  cells  are  retained  in  the  body  and  are  again  presented  as 
food  to  the  cells,  acting  as  poisons.  Poisonous  or  even  non-poisonous 
drugs,  and  the  products  of  bacterial  action,  whether  absorbed  from 


28  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE,  GENERAL  AND  LOCAL 

the  intestines  or  from  foci  of  infection,  have  all  more  or  less  delete- 
rious action  upon  cell  protoplasm,  violent  if  entering  the  blood  in 
quantity,  chronic  if  entering  continuously. 

Faults  in  the  circulatory  apparatus  interfering  with  the  circulation 
generally  cause  an  interference  with  general  nutrition,  while  local 
disturbances  of  the  circulation  from  any  cause  disturb  the  relations 
of  the  blood  supply  to  the  nutrition  of  a  part.  Thus  the  fresh  blood 
supply  (food  supply)  to  a  particular  location  may  be  excessive,  as 
in  the  milder  form  of  arterial  hyperemia,  or  deficient,  as  in  venous 
hyperemia  and  inflammation. 

Abnormal  Waste  Removal. — Abnormal  waste  removal  is  ordinarily 
included  under  the  heading  of  abnormal  food  supply,  and  it  is 
evident  that  retention  of  waste  in  the  blood  causes  the  presentation 
to  cells  of  an  abnormal  food  or  poison.  In  local  conditions,  such  as 
venous  hyperemia  and  inflammation,  the  stasis  causing  waste  reten- 
tion prevents  the  access  of  a  fresh  food  supply  as  well.  In  kidney 
disease  the  substances  ordinarily  physiologically  eliminated  by  the 
kidneys  are  retained  in  the  blood  and  act  as  poisons  to  cell  proto- 
plasm generally. 

Abnormal  Physical  Conditions. — This  class  of  disease  causes 
includes  all  injuries  due  to  any  of  the  physical  or  chemical  forces: 
Traumatic  injuries,  such  as  cuts,  bruises,  surgical  openings,  etc. 
Mechanical  causes,  such  as  compressions,  obstructions  to  ducts  or 
the  natural  outlets  of  the  body,  faults  in  the  circulatory  mechanism, 
stoppages  in  the  arteries  or  veins.  Chemical  causes,  such  as  the 
action  of  abnormal  temperatures,  burns,  freezing,  or  irritations  of 
various  sorts,  such  as  those  due  to  mustard,  arsenic,  acids,  or  caustics, 
and  the  local  effects  of  microorganisms  may  all  be  classified  under 
this  heading.  The  disturbance  is  due  to  either  a  direct  destruction 
of  the  life  of  the  cells  or  an  interference  with  the  circulation  in  a  part. 

Abnormal  Nerve  Supply. — It  is  known  that  division  of,  injury  to, 
or  disease  of  certain  nerves  causes  trophic  or  nutritional  changes  in 
the  part  to  which  they  are  supplied.  Whether  the  nutrition  of  the 
parts  is  controlled  by  special  trophic  nerve  fibers  has  not  been 
demonstrated.  Halliburton,^  in  support  of  the  trophic  infiuence 
of  nerves,  instances  that  when  the  fifth  nerve  (sensory)  is  divided 
beyond  the  Gasserian  ganglion,  ulceration  of  the  cornea  results; 
while  if  the  seventh  nerve  (motor)  be  divided  or  paralyzed,  the  eye- 
ball is  equally  exposed  to  irritants,  yet  does  not  ulcerate.  He  also 
instances  that  division  of  the  vagi  produces  fatty  degeneration  of 
the  heart. 

1  Kirke's  Physiology. 


PREDISPOSING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE  29 

While  admitting  the  lack  of  anatomical  proof,  he  regards  the 
trophic  influence  of  nerves  upon  parts  to  be  unexplainable  upon 
the  ground  taken  by  others,  that  all  apparently  trophic  changes 
are  due  to  disturbances  of  the  vasomotor  nerves  controlling  the 
caliber  of  vessels.  According  to  these  other  observers  degrees  of 
dilatation  are  produced  which  modify  the  amount  of  blood  delivered 
to  a  part  and  thus  modify  its  nutrition. 

Effects  are  produced  upon  nutrition  by  causes  which  can  act 
only  through  the  nervous  system — e.  g.,  the  effect  of  anxiety  upon 
appetite  and  digestion.  The  interdependence  of  these  classes  of 
causes  is  almost  self-evident;  for  example,  constant  suppuration  at 
a  focus  of  infection  (abnormal  physical  condition)  may  induce  a 
toxemia  (abnormal  food  supply)  which  may  be  responsible  for  kidney 
or  other  disease  (abnormal  physical  condition),  resulting  in  the 
retention  of  waste  products  in  the  blood  (abnormal  waste  removal 
or  food  supply),  which  has  a  vicious  result  upon  all  metabolism, 
including  that  of  the  nervous  system,  inducing  in  turn  an  abnormal 
nerve  supply  and  lessening  resistance  even  in  the  tissues  about  the 
original  focus  of  infection.  Such  a  train  of  events  is  known  as  the 
establishment  of  a  vicious  circle. 


'      PREDISPOSING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE 

A  predisposing  cause  of  disease  is  one  which  influences  the  cells 
or  juices  of  the  body  or  part  in  such  a  manner  as  to  lessen  the 
resistance  to  the  action  of  the  exciting  causes  of  disease. 

It  must  be  considered  that  a  predisposition  or  lessened  resistance 
is  in  itself  a  condition  of  disease,  not  recognizable,  perhaps,  yet  a 
departure  from  the  standard  of  the  best  health  of  an  individual  or 
part.  For  the  most  part  predisposition  is  regarded  in  its  relation 
to  the  extrinsic  causes  of  disease,  such  as  bacterial  influences.  In 
such  a  condition  the  individual  is  said  to  be  susceptible.  Pre- 
disposition is  either  general  or  local. 

General  Predisposition. — This  is  either  (1)  a  natural  or  inherent 
lack  of  resistance  to  infectious  or  non-infectious  diseases,  or  (2)  an 
acquired  lack  of  resistance  to  infectious  or  non-infectious  diseases. 
The  human  race  in  general  is  naturally  predisposed  to  many  infec- 
tious diseases,  such  as  tuberculosis,  cholera,  malaria,  measles,  small- 
pox, typhoid  fever,  scarlet  fever,  and  syphilis.^  When  a  person  is 
exposed  to  the  disease  and  contracts  it,  he  is  said  to  be  predisposed 

I  Ziegler;  General  Pathology. 


30  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE,  GENERAL  AND  LOCAL 

to  it.  If  he  does  not  contract  it,  his  system  is  immune  either  tem- 
porarily or  permanently.  (See  Immunity.)  There  being  several 
forms  of  immunity,  the  lack  of  any  natural  form  may  be  considered 
as  a  predisposition.  This  immunity  is  ordinarily  operative  when  the 
individual  is  in  the  best  state  of  health,  and  when  a  departure  from 
this  standard  is  brought  about  by  any  cause,  exciting  infective  causes 
may  then  act.  This  is  acquired  predisposition.  Some  individuals 
have  a  natural  or  congenital  lessened  resistance  to  external  influences 
of  a  non-infectious  character,  such  as  heat  or  cold,  mental  effort,  or 
nervous  irritations  of  a  degree  ordinarily  borne  by  the  great  majority 
of  individuals.  This  may  also  be  acquired,  as,  for  example,  by 
extreme  subjection  to  the  above  or  other  enervating  causes.  An 
inherited  predisposition  to  such  diseases  as  insanity,  cancer,  or  gout 
may  exist. 

Some  persons  cannot  bear  certain  kinds  of  food  without  illness,  or 
react  strongly  to  small  doses  of  drugs,  or  are  not  affected  by  large 
doses.  This  is  called  an  idiosyncrasy,  and  may  be  either  congenital 
or  acquired. 

The  predisposing  causes  capable  of  producing  a  lessened  resist- 
ance may  be  grouped  under  a  few  headings. 

Sex  as  an  Intrinsic  Predisposing  Cause. — In  this  connection  the 
influence  of  sex  upon  predisposition  to  disease  must  be  considered. 
^^^lile  the  general  resistive  power  of  the  bodies  of  both  sexes  may 
be  regarded  as  practically  equal  under  similar  conditions,  yet  the 
anatomical  structures  and  physiology  of  each  sex  have  an  influence 
upon  predisposition  to  certain  diseases.  Aside  from  the  diseases 
peculiar  to  sex,  on  account  of  their  peculiar  organs,  each  sex  exhibits 
predispositions  to  diseases  which  the  other  sex  escapes;  for  many 
of  these  the  habits  of  life  furnish  an  explanation,  for  others  an  ex- 
planation is  not  available.  For  example,  males  are  much  more 
subject  to  hemophilia  than  female. 

Age. — During  the  first  two  years  after  birth  the  nervous  system 
and  the  appendages  of  the  alimentary  canal  are  developing,  and 
improper  feeding,  difficult  teething,  or  other  influences  readily  act 
as  exciting  causes  of  alimentary  or  nervous  disturbances. 

Later,  children  are  subject  to  acute  infectious  diseases,  especially 
tuberculosis,  diphtheria,  and  the  eruptive  fevers.  At  adolescence 
other  predispositions  occur,  notably  chlorosis  in  young  girls.  Later 
come  the  diseases  of  early  maturity,  such  as  typhoid  fever,  pulmon- 
ary tuberculosis,  and  to  a  degree  dental  caries. 

In  old  age  or  middle  life  occur  arterial  and  other  degenerations 
and  diseases  consequent  upon  them  or  upon  overstimulation  of 
organs  or  tissues. 


PREDISPOSING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE  31 

Temperament.- — Temperament  is  the  peculiar  congenital  consti- 
tution of  an  individual  imparting  certain  physical  characteristics 
and  certain  natural  tendencies.    There  are  four  basal  temperaments: 

The  sanguine  is  that  in  which  individuals  are  decidedly  inclined 
to  the  blonde  type  with  evidence  of  an  abundance  of  the  nutritive 
fluid,  the  blood — i.  e.,  the  vascular  system  is  said  to  dominate  the 
other  functions  of  the  body.  Such  are  predisposed  to  acute  pul- 
monary and  cardiac  diseases  and  inflammatory  disturbances  of 
serious  import.  The  mental  characteristics  of  this  temperament 
are  hopefulness,  cheerfulness,  and  solidity  but  floridity  of  mental 
endowments.     The  recuperative  power  is  good. 

The  bilious  temperament  is  characterized  by  a  decided  inclination 
to  the  brunette  type,  with  evidence  of  a  domination  of  other  func- 
tions by  the  liver.  There  is  a  tendency  to  hepatic  and  digestive 
derangements  and  despondency;  at  the  same  time  there  is  possessed 
great  physical  and  mental  strength,  together  with  a  reliable  recu- 
perative power. 

The  nervous  temperament  is  indicated  by  the  smallness  and 
delicacy  of  frame  and  the  quickness  of  motion  and  perception, 
evidencing  a  domination  by  the  nervous  system  to  diseases  of 
which  such  temperament  predisposes.  In  such  individuals  disease 
is  usually  of  rapid  course,  and  recuperation  is  rather  more  rapid 
than  reliable. 

The  lymphatic  temperament  is  indicated  by  bulk,  pallor,  and  flac- 
cidity  of  tissue,  a  colorlessness  of  temperament,  indicating  an  inherent 
feebleness.  There  is  a  tendency  to  serious  chronic  conditions.  This 
temperament  is  accompanied  by  poor  recuperative  force. 

There  are  no  individuals  of  pure  basal  temperament,  so  that  the 
nearest  approach  is  a  dual  or  binary  temperament,  such  as  the 
biliosanguine,  in  which  the  characteristics  of  the  sanguine  predomi- 
nate strongly  modified  by  those  of  the  bilious  temperament.  In 
like  manner  the  sanguonervous,  nervolymphatic,  and  other  classes, 
twelve  in  number,  are  recognized  as  having  typical  representatives 
in  each  community.  A  third  or  ternary  classification  is  possible — 
e.  g.,  sanguonervobilious.  It  will  be  seen  that  temperament  has  a 
distinct  relation  to  the  vital  resistance  normally  implanted  in  an 
individual,  and  therefore  may  to  a  certain  extent  be  counted  upon 
in  a  prognosis.  Temperament  is  a  predisposing  cause  probably  only 
in  so  far  as  it  introduces  a  natural  general  lack  of  resistance  to  disease, 
or  irresistibly  drives  an  individual  into  certain  habits  of  life  which 
may  become  the  cause  of  a  lessened  resistance. 

Heredity. — Certain  diseases  exhibit  a  predisposition  to  descend 
from  parent  to  child  direct  or  from  grandparent  through  the  un- 


32  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE,  GENERAL  AND  LOCAL 

affected  son  or  daughter  to  a  grandchild  (in  the  latter  case  it  is  called 
atavistic  hereditary  transmission,  also  remote  heredity). 

The  mode  of  transmission  is  in  all  probability  the  inheritance  of 
a  type  of  tissue,  a  tissue  anatomy  and  physiology  which  permit  the 
more  ready  action  of  the  exciting  causes  of  the  disease.  This  ten- 
dency is  called  a  diathesis — e.  g.,  hemorrhagic  diathesis  (hemophilia), 
gouty  diathesis,  or  tuberculous  diathesis.  Diathesis  may  also  be 
acquired.  The  influence  of  race  may  also  be  considered  as  coming 
under  this  heading.     (See  Immunity.) 

Existing  Disease. — The  presence  of  one  disease  may  weaken  the 
resistance  of  a  part  or  the  organism  so  that  another  disease  may 
the  more  readily  become  implanted — e.  g.,  measles  followed  by 
pneumonia. 

Previous  Disease. — At  a  period  subsequent  to  disease  the  same 
disease  may  recur  or  another  disease  may  be  implanted — e,  g., 
pneumonia  predisposes  a  lung  to  a  recurrence  of  pneumonia,  or 
tuberculosis  may  readily  follow.  Previous  disease  may  confer 
immunity,  as,  for  example,  in  smallpox  or  measles. 

Extrinsic  Predisposing  Causes  of  Disease. — Under  this  head  are 
included  all  those  conditions  of  external  origin  which  lessen  the 
resistance  of  an  individual  to  the  action  of  exciting  causes.  Excessive 
heat  is  weakening;  cold  and  dampness,  by  chilling  the  surface  of  the 
body,  cause  hyperemia  of  internal  parts  and  thus  predispose  to  such 
diseases  as  pneumonia,  rheumatism,  etc.  Fatigue,  unhealthy,  cramp- 
ing, or  sedentary  occupations,  continued  loss  of  sleep  from  any  cause, 
evil  habits,  continued  hunger,  etc.,  are  other  examples  of  debilitating 
influences  which  may  be  partly  intrinsic. 

Local  Predisposition. — Alterations  in  the  normal  physiology  of 
a  part  are  apt  to  occur  through  certain  actions  upon  it,  thus  bringing 
it  into  a  condition  of  lessened  resistance,  permitting  the  action  of 
entirely  different  exciting  causes.  Apart  from  this  fact,  a  part  may 
be  predisposed,  by  nature  apparently,  to  permit  the  growth  of 
bacteria  which  do  not  grow  well  in  other  tissues.  Local  depression 
of  tissue  vitality  predisposes  to  the  growth  of  organisms  in  the  tissues. 
Thus  slight  injury  producing  either  arterial  or  venous  hyperemia  or 
ischemia  may  permit  bacteria  to  produce  even  grave  consequences. 
More  severe  injury  also  may  predispose,  but  the  contrary  effect  has 
also  been  observed — i.  e.,  that  severe  injury  excites  a  phagocytic 
reaction  and  copious  exudation  of  lymph  (a  later  stage  of  inflamma- 
tion) which  antagonizes  the  bacteria.     (See  Inflammation.) 

The  structure  of  a  part  has  also  been  shown  to  have  an  effect  upon 
the  life  of  microorganisms  gaining  access  to  its  tissues.  The  tissues 
about  the  mouth  are  normally  notoriously  resistant  to  infections, 


IMMUNITY  33 

but  at  times  are  exceedingly  susceptible,  as  in  pyorrhea  alveolaris. 
Ordinarily  surgical  operations  about  the  mouth  were  successful  in 
pre-aseptic  times,  while  abdominal  or  gynecological  operations  were 
attended  by  an  enormous  percentage  of  death  from  infection. 
General  depression  of  vitality  also  necessarily  affects  the  resistive 
force  of  all  local  tissues.  Thus  extensive  suppuration  is  more  liable 
to  occur  in  those  rendered  feeble  and  anemic  by  any  cause. 


IMMUNITY 

Immunity  is  the  opposite  of  predisposition,  and,  like  it,  can  be 
either  natural  or  acquired.  It  signifies  an  insusceptibility  to  a  disease. 
Natural  immunity  to  a  particular  infectious  disease  can  only  be 
determined  by  repeated  exposures,  and  may  then  fail  at  last  owing 
to  some  systemic  change.^  Immunity  may  be  exhibited  toward 
only  one  disease.  In  some  persons  disease  appears  to  be  influenced 
by  sex,  as,  for  example,  males  have  a  general  immunit}^  from  goitre, 
females  from  Addison's  disease.  Immunity  is  influenced  by  age  in 
certain  diseases;  for  example,  the  diseases  of  childhood  are  rare  in 
the  elderly;  they  do  occur,  however.  The  degenerative  diseases  of 
old  age  are  almost  unknown  in  childhood.  Race  has  its  influence; 
the  negro  is  almost  immune  to  malaria  and  yellow  fever,  but  particu- 
larly susceptible  to  smallpox  and  tuberculosis.  The  natural  immunity 
may  be  more  apparent  than  real,  owing  to  failure  of  the  bacteria 
to  find  a  local  condition  favorable  to  development  and  to  enter  the 
blood.  If  special  care  in  experiment  be  taken  to  introduce  the 
bacteria,  and  failure  of  inoculation  result,  the  natural  immunity  is 
absolute.    Example:  Rats  to  diphtheria,  or  negroes  to  yellow  fever. 

A  striking  example  of  lost  immunity  occurred  in  the  case  of  a 
friend,  who,  in  early  and  middle  life,  could  handle  poison  ivy  with 
impunity.  On  approaching  seventy  years  of  age,  and  while  in  a 
condition  of  general  debility,  he  was  affected  from  head  to  foot  with 
the  peculiar  dermatitis  as  the  result  of  pulling  up  a  plant. 

The  further  discussion  of  immunity  as  related  to  bacterial  infection 
should  properly  be  discussed  after  the  consideration  of  bacterial 
causes,  and  will  be  found  at  the  end  of  Chapter  III. 

1  Green:  Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. 


CHAPTER   III 
MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE 


The  infectious  and  contagious  diseases  have  for  the  most  part 
been  shown  to  be  caused  by  low  forms  of  vegetable  organisms  known 
collectively  as  fungi,  while  in  a  few  diseases  minute  animal  organisms 
(protozoa)  are  the  causes. 

The  following  table  shows  the  position  of  the  vegetable  organisms 
in  the  scale  of  vegetable  life  and  gives  the  lowest  forms  of  animal 
life: 


Phanerogams:  plants  reproducing  by  flowers  and  seeds. 


Vegetable 
kingdom 


Cryptogams, 
reproducing 
by  spore 
formation  or 
division. 


Leafy  cryptogams. 

Thallophytes, 
having  no  dis- 
tinction be- 
tween the 
leaf  and  stem, 


Lichens. 
Algse. 
Fungi . 


(Cocci.       I 
Bacilli,      y  Bacteria. 
Spirilla.    J 
Hjrphomycetes 
(mould  fungi). 
Blastomycetes 
(bud  fungi). 


Animal 
kingdom 


Lowest  forms  " 


Sarcodinea. 
Flagellata. 
Sporozoa. 
Infusoria. 
Mycetozoa,   fungi   not   certainly  defined   as  animal   or  vegetable 
"~  forms. 1 
Higher  forms.     Certain  insect  and  worm  forms  are  pathogenic. 


Protozoa:  single  cells 
without  circulatory  or 
nervous  systems. 


Fig.  6 


Trichophyton  tonsurans 
("barber's  itch").  Diagram- 
matic.     (Lehmann.) 


Of  the  protozoa  four  classes  are  known, 
though  but  few  species  are  pathogenic;  these 
classes  are  (1)  the  sarcodinea  (ameboid), 
which  includes  the  ameba  coli  of  dysentery 
(Fig.  10);  (2)  the  flagellata,  non-ameboid 
but  motile  by  means  of  flagella;  (3)  the 
sporozoa  living  within  the  bodies  of  other 
animals,  a  class  which  includes  the  hemo- 
sporidia,  ameboid  motile  parasites  living 
in  the  blood,  and  of  which  the  malarial 
germs,  plasmodium  malarise  (quartan  fever, 
seventy-two-hour    cycle),    the    plasmodium 


1  The  terms  mycetozoa  and  protozoa  seem  to  be  practically  synonymous  to  pathologists,  who 
use  the  term  protozoa  in  the  sense  of  mycetozoa  as  above  defined. 


MICROORGANISMS   AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE     35 

praecox  (estivo-autiimnal  fever,  twenty-four  or  forty-eight-hour 
cycle,  Fig.  11),  the  cytorrhyctes  variolse  seu  vaccinae  (the  probable 
cause  for  smallpox  and  chickenpox)  are  examples;  (4)  the  infusoria. 


Fig.  7 


Fig.  8 


Penicillium  with  spores.     (Lehmann.) 


a,  saccharomyces;  b,  cell  with  four 
spores.     (Lehmann.) 


Fig.  9 


Fig.  10 


Saccharomyces  albicans.     (After  Grawitz,  in  Lehmann.) 


1,  ameba  from  dysenteric  stool, 
with  vacuoles  and  enclosed  red 
cells;  2,  ameba  from  straw  infu- 
sion; 3,  the  same  encysted.  X  600. 
(Kiinster.) 


36     MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE 

The  vegetable  fungi  are  divided  into  (1)  schizomycetes,  or  fission 
fungi;  (2)  hyphomycetes,  or  mould  fungi  (Figs.  6  and  7);  (3)  blasto- 
mycetes,  or  bud  fungi  (or  yeasts)  (Figs.  8  and  9).    Being  without 


Fig.  11 


Plasmodium  precox  (forty-eight  hours).  Cycles  of  estivo-autumnal  parasite:  1,  very  young 
form;  2,  infection  of  one  cell  with  seven  young  parasites  (drawn  from  a  marrow  smear);  3,  triple 
infection,  two  parasites  joined  by  single  chromatin  mass;  4,  double  infection,  peculiar  rings  with 
two  chromatin  grains  at  opposite  poles;  5,  double  infection,  small  ring  adherent  to  cell;  6,  7,  signet- 
ring  forms,  subdivision  of  chromatin;  8,  9,  later  ring  forms,  with  subdivided  chromatin  and  few 
pigment  grains;  10  to  12,  full-grown  forms,  with  finely  subdivided  chromatin  and  gradual  concen- 
tration of  pigment;  13,  14,  stages  of  presegmenting  forms,  with  concentrated  eccentric  pigment; 
15,  double  infection,  with  separate  presegmenting  bodies;  16,  estivo-autumnal  rosette;  17,  18, 
young  crescent  and  ovoid;  19,  ''pulsating"  crescent;  20  to  22,  various  forms  of  crescents;  23,  two 
bows  about  single  crescent;  24,  fully  developed  crescent,  two  masses  of  chromatin,  achromatic 
substance,  double  wreaths  of  pigment;  25,  diagrammatic  flagellating  body;  26,  extracellular  sterile 
body.     (Schmaus  and  Ewing.) 


chlorophyl  (the  green  coloring  matter  of  plants  which  synthesizes 
CO2  and  water  into  starch),  the  fungi  are  unable  to  utilize  the  simple 
compounds,  such  as  carbon  dioxid  and  ammonia,  as  foods,  and  are 


MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE     37 

therefore  compelled  to  break  down  the  complex  organic  compounds, 
for  which  purpose  they  are  competent  by  reason  of  their  enzymes. 
All  three  classes  of  fungi  have  representatives  which  produce  disease 
in  the  human  body,  but  the  schizomycetes  furnish  by  far  the  greater 
number  of  infectious  disease  causes. 


Fig.  12 


a,  spiral  forms  with  a  flagellum  at  only  one  end;  b,  bacillus  of  typhoid  fever  with  flagella  given 
off  from  all  sides;  c,  large  spirals  from  stagnant  water  with  wisps  of  flagella  at  their  ends  (Spirillum 
undula).     (Abbott.) 

Chemically,  bacteria  are  about  85  per  cent,  water,  together  with 
albumin  called  mycoprotein,  ferments,  soluble  extractives,  salts, 
sometimes  niiclein  bases,  coloring  matters,  organic  acids,  sulphur, 
starch,  and  cellulose. 

Fig.  13 


Typhoid  bacilli  stained  by  Van  Ermengem's  method  to  show  flagella. 


The  schizomycetes  (Greek  sckizo,  to  split,  and  muhes,  a  fungus) 
are  minute  single-celled  plants  without  nuclei,  but  possessed  of  a 
cell  wall  and  cell  protoplasm  (mycoprotein).  They  have  a  size  of 
about  1  micron  (1  /<=  250  on  inch)  or  less  in  their  smallest  diameter. 
Some  of  them  possess  flagella,  hair-like  processes,  often  very  numer- 


38     MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE 

ous,  arising  from  the  protoplasm  rather  than  the  wall,  with  which 
they  lash  the  fluid  surrounding  them,  and  by  which  means  they 
effect  locomotion  (Fig.  12).  Other  bacteria  again  are  non-motile. 
Entering  the  organic  compounds,  carbohydrates,  hydrocarbons,  and 
nitrogenous  (albuminous)  substances,  they  ferment  or  decompose 
them,  forming  new  products,  and  extract  from  them  substances 


oo 


od6o 


iSo3<^ 


Fig.  14 


00      ' 

%00 


00  o°. 
00 


fc 


o°0  »o^    Q?o 


a,  staphylococci;  &,  streptococci;  c,  diplococci;  d,  tetrads;  e,  sarcinse.     (Abbott.) 


Fig.  15 


necessary  to  their  growth  and  subsequent  reproduction.  The  sub- 
stance in  which  they  thus  grow  is  called  the  medium  or  soil.  The 
conditions  under  which  this  is  accomplished  are:  (1)  The  fungi  must 
have  a  proper  vitality.  (2)  Their  food  supply  or  soil  must  be  suited 
to  their  growth  and  must  be  moist— in  general  terms  they  require 
water,  CNO,  and  salts.  (3)  The  temperature  must  be  suitable; 
they  grow  more  actively  at  about  102°  F.;  at  160°  F.  maintained  they 

usually  die,  but  in  some  cases,  as  with  the 
typhoid  bacilli,  they  may  live  in  the  spore 
form  at  even  212°  F.  or  over  unless  main- 
tained for  some  time.  Some  that  develop 
best  at  high  temperature  are  called  ther- 
mophilic. Low  temperature,  as  32°  F.  or 
far  below  that,  inhibits  their  growth,  but 
does  not  necessarily  kill  them.  (4)  Their 
waste  products  must  be  removed  or  they 
die  in  them.  This  is  said  to  be  due  to  the  reaction,  whether  acid 
or  alkalin,  and  not  to  any  of  the  other  by-products — e.  g.,  in  lactic 
fermentation  2  per  cent,  of  lactic  acid  is  about  the  greatest  amount 
endured  by  them.  They  are  also  sensitive  to  and  inhibited  by 
agitation,  daylight,  electric  light,  and  electric  currents.  Morpho- 
logically the  schizomycetes  are  grouped  into  several  classes  accord- 
ing to  form. 


Zooglea  of  bacilli.     (Abbott.) 


MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE     39 

1.  Micrococci  {niikros,  and  kukkos,  a  berry),  including  all  of  the 
spherical  forms  or  those  having  equal  or  nearly  equal  diameters 
(Fig.  14). 

2.  The  bacilli  {hacillum,  a  rod)  or  rod-Uke  forms;  one  diameter 
being  greater  than  the  other  (Fig.  16). 

3.  The  spirilla  (Greek  spira,  a  coil),  or  the  curved  forms  (Fig.  17). 
All  of  these  groups  may  again  be  subdivided.    The  micrococci  are 

subdivided  according  to  their  modes  of  grouping.    Double  cocci  are 

Fig.  16 

ah  c  d 

a,  Bacillus  subtilia  with  spores;  6,  Bacillus  anthracis  with  spores;  c,  Clostridium  with  spores; 

d,  bacillus  of  tetanus  with  spores. 

called  diplococci  {diploos,  double).  If  in  division  the  cocci  agglom- 
erate like  a  bunch  of  grapes,  they  are  called  staphylococci  (staphyle, 
a  grape).  If  they  arrange  themselves  in  a  chain,  they  are  called 
streptococci  {sireptos,  a  chain).  If  they  divide  in  two  directions  and 
form  a  bunch  of  four  cocci,  they  are  called  tetrads.  If  in  three  direc- 
tions, they  form  sarcinse.  The  bacilli  are  of  many  and  varied  forms, 
and  differ  as  to  their  mode  of  grouping.  During  reproduction  bacteria 
may  excrete  a  material  which  unites  them  into  a  gelatinous  mass 
called  zooglea. 

Fig.  17 

a  b 

a,  spirillum  of  Asiatic  cholera  (comma  bacillus) ;  6,  involution  forms  of  this  organism  as  seen 

in  old  cultures.     (Abbott.) 

The  bacilli  in  the  course  of  reproduction  may  form  long  threads, 
showing,  as  a  rule,  the  traces  of  segmentation.  Under  certain  unfa- 
vorable conditions  of  development  many  bacilli  form  glistening  oval 
bodies  within  themselves  (endospores)  which  resist  stains.  The 
body  of  the  bacillus  may  disappear,  leaving  the  spore  only.  These 
spores  are  very  resistant  to  devitalizing  agents.  The  bacilli  forming 
spores  are  said  to  be  in  the  resting  stage.  These  spores  under  favor- 
able conditions  again  form  bacilli  like  their  progenitors,  but  do  not 


40      MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE 

form  other  spores  without  this  return  to  the  bacillus  form.  A  single 
cell  forms,  as  a  rule,  but  one  spore.  Some  bacilli  do  not  form  spores 
(Abbott). 

If  the  entire  bacterium  is  changed  into  the  spore  form  they  are 
called  arthrospores;  when  cocci  take  on  the  appearance  of  spores 
they  are  also  called  arthrospores.  Under  unfavorable  conditions 
bacteria  may  undergo  degeneration  and  take  on  abnormal  or  involu- 
tion forms,  and  when  the  conditions  are  again  favorable  to  develop- 
ment they  may  resume  their  typical  forms. ^  While  these  form 
changes  occur,  bacteria  are  never  permanently  changed  from  one 
form  to  another.^  Those  bacteria  which  have  several  forms  in  their 
life  cycle  are  termed  pleomorphic.  Those  having  but  one  form  are 
monomorphic.  Those  bacteria  which  exist  on  living  tissue  are  known 
as  parasitic.  They  enter  the  body  by  way  of  open  wounds  or  sur- 
faces deprived  of  epithelium,  or  may  lodge  at  certain  points  of  the 
mucous  surface  of  the  lungs,  skin  openings,  or  the  alimentary  canal. 
If  not  killed  out  they  multiply  in  the  natural  juices  of  the  part  on 
which  they  locate  and  produce  an  infective  inflammation.  Poisonous 
substances  may  be  generated,  which  are  absorbed  into  the  system 
and  may  act  as  poisons,  producing  toxemia.  When  the  toxin  is 
excreted  by  the  bacteria  and  floats  in  the  blood  it  is  called  extra- 
cellular toxin;  when  confined  to  the  bacteria,  it  is  called  endotoxin. 

The  character  of  both  the  inflammation  and  the  poisoning  depends 
upon  the  particular  bacterium  or  bacteria  present.  The  bacteria 
may  in  certain  cases  be  taken  into  the  blood,  and,  coming  to  rest  at 
certain  spots,  the  above-described  process  is  repeated. 

The  Bacillus  anthracis  divides  in  the  blood  stream,^  and  other 
organisms,  such  as  the  Bacterium  pneumoniae  and  Bacillus  influenzae 
may  exist  in  it.  Many  forms  of  organisms  exhibit  a  preference  for 
certain  spots  at  which  they  flnd  the  conditions  best  suited  to  develop- 
ment— e.  g.,  the  typhoid  bacillus  in  the  glands  of  the  ileum,  Beyer's 
patches;  the  anthrax  bacillus  in  the  lungs  of  animals;  the  diphtheria 
bacillus  in  the  mucous  surfaces  of  the  pharynx  and  contiguous  parts. 
Those  parasitic  bacteria  which  produce  disease  are  called  pathogenic, 
others  are  non-pathogenic. 

The  mouth  offers  a  suitable  habitat  for  many  bacteria. 

The  bacteria  which  live  on  dead  organic  matter  are  called  sapro- 
phytic (sapros,  rotten,  and  phuton,  a  plant).  They  break  up  the 
dead  animal  and  vegetable  matter  into  simple  compounds  like 
carbon  dioxid,  ammonia,  etc.,  which  are  utihzed  by  the  higher  chlor- 
ophyllous  plants.    The  nitrogen  of  the  air  is  also  utilized  by  some 

>  Abbott:  Principles  of  Bacteriology.  '  Ibid. 

•  Green:  Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. 


FERMENTATION  41 

plant  bacteria,  and  can  be  introduced  to  aid  crops.  As  animals  are 
dependent  upon  plants  for  existence,  their  vast  importance  in  the 
economy  of  nature  is  evident.  Bacteria  may  often  pass  from  a  para- 
sitic existence  to  a  saprophytic  one — a  fact  which  is  utilized  in  their 
study  by  bacteriologists,  who  prepare  artificial  media  in  which  to 
cultivate  them.  These  are  called  cultures,  which  by  transference  from 
one  culture  plate  to  another  of  like  kind  are  said  to  be  passed  through 
generations.  When  by  careful  segregation  one  form  of  bacterium  is 
separated  from  others  present  in  a  mixed  culture  and  thereafter 
cultivated  alone,  it  is  called  a  pure  culture;  when  the  bacteria  are 
thinly  spread  on  a  gelatin  or  agar  culture  and  then  isolated,  the 
grouped  bacteria  developing  at  each  point  are  called  a  colony. 
Bacteria  may  pass  from  a  saprophytic  to  the  parasitic  form  of  exist- 
ence. Bacteria  which  have  this  power  of  adaptation  to  a  new  form 
of  medium  are  called  facultative.  When  without  this  power,  they 
are  obligate  bacteria. 

According  to  Pasteur,  those  which  require  oxygen  in  order  to  live 
are  called  aerobic.  Those  which  cannot  live  in  its  presence  are 
anaerobic.    Those  which  live  either  way  are  facultative. 

When  bacteria  produce  pigment  either  within  themselves  or  their 
medium,  they  are  termed  chromogenic;  when  they  produce  light  or 
phosphorescence,  they  are  termed  photogenic.  If  they  have  the 
ability  to  produce  fermentation,  they  are  termed  zymogenic;  when 
they  produce  gas  they  are  called  aerogenic. 


FERMENTATION 

Fermentation  in  the  broadest  acceptation  of  the  term  has  been 
defined  as  the  decomposition  of  substances  possessing  complex 
molecules  under  the  influence  of  organized  or  unorganized  ferments 
(enzymes).  The  decompositions  occur  when  organic  substances  are 
exposed  to  the  action  of  bacteria  or  their  enzymes,  or  are  subjected 
to  the  action  of  certain  ferments  such  as  are  found  in  the  digestive 
fluids  secreted  into  the  alimentary  canal,  which  are  really  enzymes 
also  derived  from  living  cells. 

According  to  W^oodhead,^  the  molecules  of  the  fermented  compound 
are  separated  from  one  another  for  a  brief  period  and  then  allowed  to 
combine  and  form  simpler  and  more  stable  compounds.  The  process 
is  accompanied  by  heat  due  to  chemical  changes. 

Ferments,  then,  are  of  two  kinds:  (1)  Organized  or  formed  fer- 

'  Bacteria  and  their  Products. 


42     MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE 

ments  or  living  bacteria  which  multiply  at  the  expense  of  the  sub- 
stance which  they  are  fermenting;  (2)  unorganized  or  unformed 
ferments  or  enzymes,  nitrogenous  bodies  produced  by  living  cells 
which  have  the  power  of  producing  chemical  changes  in  organic 
substances.  They  thus  affect  many  times  their  own  weight  of  the 
particular  organic  substance  being  fermented  without  being  them- 
selves much  affected,  though  eventually  exhausted  (catalysis). 
Typical  examples  are  the  pepsin  of  the  gastric  juice,  which  changes 
albumin  to  peptone,  and  the  ferment  of  the  yeast  plant,  proved 
capable  of  changing  sugar  into  alcohol  and  carbon  dioxid,  even 
when  the  cells  themselves  are  crushed  and  filtered  out. 

The  unorganized  ferments  usually  act  by  oxidizing,  deoxidizing, 
or  hydrating  the  substance  modified.  They  act  best  when  their 
products  are  removed  from  the  neighborhood. 

Many  bacteria  have  been  shown  to  possess  such  unorganized  fer- 
ments. It  is  probable  that  they  produce  their  effects  on  organic 
substances  by  the  aid  of  these  ferments,  which  serve  them  as  pepsin 
serves  man  (extracellular  ferments).  It  is  thought  that  in  other 
cases  the  germs  take  up  organic  food,  digest  it,  and  excrete  waste 
products  in  somewhat  the  same  manner  that  the  body  cells  nourish 
themselves  by  intracellular  ferments  (p.  23).  As  a  rule,  more  than 
one  species  of  bacterium  infects  a  fermentable  substance.  The 
more  active  varieties  predominate  in  the  fermentation,  but  mixed 
fermentations  may  proceed.  In  some  cases  the  bacterial  multipli- 
cation is  favored  by  the  activity  of  other  bacteria,  in  some  cases  the 
development  is  retarded.  Some  may  die  out,  finding  an  unfavorable 
soil.  After  a  time  the  predominating  bacteria  may  die  in  the  waste 
products  accumulated  about  them,  leaving  the  field  clear  for  a  second 
or  third  variety.  In  this  way  progressive  decompositions  may 
occur — -e.  g.,  the  alcoholic  fermentation  may  be  succeeded  by  the 
acetic,  in  which  the  alcohol  is  changed  to  acetic  acid,  as  in  cider- 
vinegar  formation.  The  nature  of  the  chemical  changes  produced 
in  a  fermentable  substance  depends  upon  the  chemical  nature  of  the 
latter  and  upon  the  nature  of  the  fungus  causing  the  fermentation. 

Thus,  in  an  infusion  of  vegetable  juices  containing  sugar  a  yeast 
fungus  (one  of  the  blastomycetes)  will  produce  carbon  dioxid  gas 
and  alcohol  if  the  oxygen  of  the  air  be  freely  admitted  (aerobiosis), 
while  if  to  a  fresh  portion  of  the  same  solution  scrapings  from  carious 
dentin  be  added,  lactic  acid  will  be  formed,  and,  as  a  rule,  no  gas. 
Moreover,  the  reaction  will  occur  if  oxygen  be  excluded  (anaero- 
biosis).  In  albuminous  compounds  an  alkaline  reaction  and  entirely 
different  substances  will  be  formed  upon  the  addition  of  carious 
dentin. 


FERMENTATION  43 

The  ferments  produced  by  bacteria  are  quite  numerous. 

The  proteolytic  ferment  dissolves  albuminous  substances;  proceeds 
under  an  alkaline  reaction  and  sometimes  under  an  acid  reaction. 

The  diastatic  ferments  change  starch  into  sugar. 

Inverting  enzymes  convert  saccharose  into  dextrose  or  non-ferment- 
able forms  of  sugar  to  fermentable  ones. 

Coagulating  ferments  coagulate  milk.  Coagulation  is  also  pro- 
duced in  the  tissues  and  exudate  in  inflammation  by  the  ferments 
of  pyogenic  cocci. 

Sugar-splitting  ferments  change  sugar  into  other  products,  as 
alcohol,  carbon  dioxide,  and  lactic  acid. 

Fat-splitting  ferments  split  fats  into  glycerin  and  fatty  acids. 

Hydrolytic  ferments  cause  a  combination  with  the  elements  of 
water  in  substances  they  decompose. 

Emulsifying,  oxidizing,  and  nitrifying  ferments  also  occur. 

Toxins  are  also  classed  with  the  ferments,  and  are  capable  of 
producing  new  substances  when  distributed  in  the  blood,  (See 
Immunity). 

The  progressive  decomposition  of  albuminous  matter  into  simple 
compounds  is  effected  by  many  bacteria  through  processes  of  oxida- 
tion, deoxidation,  and  hydration. 

Peptones^  are  first  formed,  next  alkaloid-like  bodies  called  pto- 
mains;  succeeding  this  such  nitrogenous  bases  as  leucin,  tyrosin, 
and  the  amins  (methyl,  ethyl,  and  propylamin)  are  formed;  next 
fatty  acids  and  such  acids  as  butyric,  lactic,  and  succinic  acid  appear; 
next  aromatic  products  such  as  indol,  phenol,  and  cresol  are  formed, 
and  the  final  decomposition  is  represented  in  the  end  products — 
carbon  dioxid,  CO2;  hydrogen  sulphid,  H2S;  ammonia,  NH3;  and 
water,  H2O.  When  bacteria  produce  decomposition  of  living  animal 
tissue  they  effect  this  putrefaction,  as  distinctly  noted  in  certain 
cases  of  abscess. 

Such  products  of  bacterial  action,  either  produced  in  a  living  or 
a  saprophytic  medium,  as  are  capable  of  acting  as  poisons  in  the 
animal  organism  are  called  toxins.  Some  animal  parasites  also  pro- 
duce them.  It  is  understood  that  they  differ  according  to  the  fungus 
and  the  medium.  If  the  toxin  be  proteid  in  nature,  it  is  termed  a 
toxalbumin. 

Some  of  the  ptomains  are  toxic;  the  greater  number  are  not. 

When  the  toxins  alone  are  absorbed  from  a  focus  of  infection  the 
subject  is  poisoned — a  condition  called  toxemia,  whether  due  to  a 
toxic  ptomain,  as  in  the  case  of  Asiatic  cholera,  or  to  a  toxalbumin, 

1  Ziegler:    General  Pathology. 


44     MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE 

as  in  the  case  of  diphtheria.  Such  toxemia  is  commonly  accompanied 
by  more  or  less  fever,  according  to  the  amount  taken  up.  When  the 
organisms  enter  the  circulation  and  multiply  in  the  blood,  or  at  least 
move  about  and  live  in  it,  to  be  carried  to  capillaries  in  which  they 
can  rest  and  multiply,  the  condition  is  termed  a  septicemia.^  In 
toxemia  and  septicemia  the  symptoms  depend  upon  the  nature  of  the 
organism  and  their  products.  Bacteria  are  found  everywhere  and 
exist  upon  the  surface  of  the  body,  in  its  external  cavities,  and  in 
the  alimentary  canal.  Here  under  conditions  of  health  there  seem  to 
be  conditions  favoring  certain  forms,  which,  when  implanted,  occupy 
the  field  and  exclude,  except  temporarily,  other  forms  to  which  the 
soil  is  not  so  well  suited.  These  are  known  as  the  "normal  flora." 
It  has  been  shown,  however,  that  the  growth  of  some  bacteria  is 
favored  by  the  presence  of  certain  others  (symbiosis). 


Fig.  18 


Fig.  19 


Staphylococcus  pyogenes  aureus.     From  a 
culture.     X  1000.    (Green.) 


Streptococcus  pyogenes.     From  pus  found 
in  a  pyemic  abscess.     X  1000.    (Green.) 


With  certain  changes  occurring,  other  forms  may  become  im-. 
planted.  Pathogenic  bacteria  may  exist  in  the  healthy  cavities  and 
produce  no  ill  results.  Again,  the  soil  may  favor  and  disease  begins. 
Certain  bacteria  have  been  found  constantly  present  in  relation  with 
certain  diseases — e.  g.,  the  spirillum  of  Asiatic  cholera  with  that 
disease.  These  are  specific  bacteria.  Taken  from  individuals  with 
the  disease,  they  produce  it  in  susceptible  animals  inoculated  with 
them  if  circumstances  favor  their  growth. 

Bacteria  spread  in  the  tissue  along  the  lines  of  least  resistance. 
They  may  follow  the  cellular  tissue  or  enter  the  lymphatics,  or  pass 


1  Abbott:   Principles  of  Bacteriology. 


FERMENTATION 


45 


at  once  into  the  veins  and  be  carried  into  the  circulation.    They  may 
be  strictly  localized  at  the  point  of  infection. 

Thus  there  may  be  a  localized  inflammation — e.  g.,  in  simple 
abscess  due  to  the  Staphylococcus  pyogenes  aureus;  a  diffuse  inflam- 
mation, as  in  case  of  infection  by  the  Streptococcus  pyogenes;  a 
gland  infection  or  septicemia,  as  in  anthrax  or  general  infection  by 
Streptococcus  pyogenes  or  Bacterium  pneumoniae;  or  a  metastatic 
mflammation,  as  in  pyemia,  in  which  the  germs  (usually  Strepto- 
coccus pyogenes)  gain  access  to  the  blood  from  a  local  focus  of 
infection  and  are  carried  to  distant  parts,  in  which  they  cause 
abscesses  while  the  products  produce  toxemia.     To  produce  effect, 


Fig.  20 


Mouse's  lung;  vessels  plugged  with  bacilli  anthracis:     a,  alveolus;  v,  vein  full  of  bacilli, 
c,  capillaries  also  full;  br,  bronchus.       X  400.     (Horsley.) 


germs  in  the  blood  must  come  to  rest  at  some  point,  which  may  occur 
in  the  capillaries  owing  to  their  injury,  in  thrombi  or  emboli,  or,  in 
case  of  entrance  of  bacteria  into  a  leukocyte,  they  may  migrate  into 
the  connective  tissue  (Fig.  20). 

It  has  been  shown  that  pyogenic  germs  may  exist  in  the  blood 
without  local  effects,  while  again  a  local  injury  may  cause  the  arrest 
of  the  germs  and  a  secondary  local  inflammation  or  abscess  be  set 
up.  This  is  due  to  simple  arrest  or  to  extravasation  of  blood,  which 
permits  the  germs  to  pass  from  the  vessels  into  the  connective  tissue. 

General  or  local  depression  of  tissue  vitality  acts  as  a  predisponent 
to  local  infection. 

The  infections  themselves  are  classified  as  primary,  secondary, 
and  mixed. 

The  primary  is  the  original  infection,  say,  e.  g.,  Bacillus  tubercu- 


46     MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE 

losis.  The  secondary  is  that  implanted  when  the  original  disease  is 
well  under  way — e.  g.,  Streptococcus  pyogenes  aureus  upon  tuber- 
culosis; a  third  or  tertiary  infection  is  possible.^ 

The  original  infection  may  be  by  mixed  germs,  more  than  one  of 
which  may  multiply.  Thus,  the  Streptococcus  pyogenes  aureus  and 
Bacterium  pneumoniae  may  both  be  found  in  an  abscess.  This  is  a 
mixed  infection. 


BACTERIA  OF  THE  MOUTH 

In  even  the  best  cared  for  mouths  bacteria  are  numerous  and  find 
the  conditions  suited  to  their  growth.  In  unclean  mouths  containing 
food  debris,  dead  epithelium,  etc.,  their  life  conditions  are  much 
more  favorable. 

According  to  Miller^  there  are  a  number  of  bacteria  which  almost 
invariably  occur  in  every  mouth.    These  are: 

1.  Leptothrix  innominata. 

2.  Bacillus  buccalis  maximus. 

3.  Leptothrix  buccalis  maxima. 

4.  Jodococcus  vaginatus. 

5.  Spirillum  sputigenum. 

6.  Spirochete  dentium  (denticola). 
To  this  list  Goadby^  has  added: 

Leptothrix  racemosa  of  Vicentini,  further  described  by  Williams.^ 

Streptococcus  brevis  of  Lingelsheim  and  Cladothrix  buccalis  (pro- 
visionally added.) 

With  the  exception  of  Streptococcus  brevis  and  perhaps  Clado- 
thrix and  Bacillus  buccalis  maximus,  these  are  uncultivable  on  labor- 
atory media,  and  strictly  obligate  parasites.  Of  the  last-named 
organism,  Goadby  obtained  biological  characteristics  of  the  pure 
culture,  but  he  did  not  establish  its  disease-producing  power,  if  it 
possesses  any. 

Certain  pathogenic  organisms  have  been  shown  to  be  present  in 
the  mouths  of  healthy  persons,  such  as  bacteriological  investigators; 
those  nursing  infectious  diseases,  such  as  diphtheria,  scarlet  fever, 
etc.,  and  even  in  the  mouths  of  healthy  individuals  apparently  not 
exposed  to  any  infection.  In  about  10  per  cent,  of  all  individuals 
examined  at  random  Netter  found  Staphylococcus  pyogenes  aureus 
(golden  pus).  Staphylococcus  pyogenes  albus  was  also  found.  The 
Pneumococcus,  or  Bacterium  pneumoniae,  was  found  in  the  mouths 

1  Park :  Surgery  by  American  Authors.  ^  Microorganisms  of  the  Human  Mouth. 

3  Mycology  of  the  Mouth,  1903.  *  Dental  Cosmos,  1899.     See  Dental  Caries. 


BACTERIA  OF  THE  MOUTH 


47 


Fig.  21 


of  about  15  per  cent,  of  healthy  individuals.  This  organism  has  been 
found  by  Kirk  to  be  apparently  causative  of  pericemental  abscess, 
and  has  been  reported  by  Schreier"^  as  found  in  75  per  cent,  of  cases 
of  apical  abscess  examined.  It  has  also  been  related  with  cases  of 
osteomyelitis  and  Ludwig's  angina.  The  Bacillus  diphtherise  of 
Loeffler  has  been  found  in  about  10  per  cent,  of  mouths  examined 
at  random,  and  33  per  cent,  of  600  children  in  a  school  examined 
during  an  epidemic  of  diphtheria 
were  found  to  have  the  bacillus 
present  in  the  mouth,  while  but 
about  2  per  cent,  developed  the 
disease.-  This  latter  fact  show^s 
the  absolute  necessity  for  at  least 
a  local  predisposition  as  well  as  an 
exciting  cause. 

The  Bacillus  tuberculosis  exists 
in  the  mouths  of  many  suffering 
from  pulmonary  tuberculosis,  and 
exists  also  at  times  in  the  mouths 
of  the  healthy.  Primary  tuberculous 
osteitis  has  been  observed.  The  Sac- 
charomyces  albicans  may  be  present 
and  at  times  produce  thrush  (Fig.  9) . 

The  Bacillus  typhosus  (typhoid) 
has  been  found  in  the  healthy 
mouth,  and  at  times  has  oral  patho- 
genicity. Many  other  organisms  have  been  isolated  from  the  human 
mouth.  Some  of  these  have  a  specific  character,  of  others  little  is 
known.  The  mouths  of  professional  nurses  have  been  shown  to  con- 
tain bacteria,  which  increased  the  danger  of  infection  of  their  patients, 
and  that  the  sanitation  of  their  mouths  reduced  the  danger.^  Some 
of  the  bacteria  of  the  mouth  possess  the  power,  under  certain  con- 
ditions, of  felting  themselves  in  gelatinoid  masses  or  films  upon  the 
surfaces  of  the  teeth.  Here,  if  properly  supplied  with  carbohydrate 
food,  some  of  them  produce  lactic  acid  and  decalcify  the  teeth.  Some 
of  the  masses  may  develop  an  alkaline  reaction  due  to  putrefaction. 
Some  have  a  later  putrefactive  action  upon  the  organic  matrix  of 
the  dentin.  Goadby*  gives  an  interesting  classification  of  bacteria 
found  in  dental  caries  (which  see).  Some  bacteria  not  yet  isolated 
are  the  probable  causes  of  pyorrhea  alveolaris.  (See  chapter  on 
Pyorrhea  Alveolaris.) 


Diplococci  pneumoniae  entangled  in  the 
meshes  of  the  fibrinous  exudation.  From 
a  section  of  lung  in  the  "red  hepatization" 
stage  of  acute  pneumonia.  In  the  upper 
part  of  the  field  is  a  cell  containing  several 
cocci — possibly  a  phagocyte.  X  1000. 
(Green.) 


>  Dental  Cosmos,  1S93. 

3  Guttman.     See  Dental  Cosmos,  1910,  p.  1165. 


2  Goadby. 

*  Mycology  of  the  Mouth. 


48     MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE 

The  bacteria  in  the  mouth  probably  are  taken  into  the  food  and 
swallowed  in  great  numbers.  Many  are  doubtless  killed  by  the  gas- 
tric juice,  which  is  a  weak  germicide;  notwithstanding,  some  pyo- 
genic cocci  and  some  of  the  blastomycetes  may  develop  in  the  stomach 


Fig.  22 


Bacillus  diphtheriae:     A,  its  morphology  on  glycerin-agar-agar;  B,  its  morpiiology  on  Loeffler's 
blood  serum;  C,  its  morphology  on  acid  blood-serum  mixture.     (Abbott.) 


Fig.  23 


and  produce  disease.  Many  also  may  enter  the  intestines  and  either 
excite  disease  of  specific  character  or  produce  abnormal  intestinal 
fermentations,  the  toxins  of  which  may  be  absorbed,  and  produce 
malnutritional  conditions.  They  may  remain  localized  in  the  mouth 
and  produce  oral  disease,  dental  caries,  or 
pericemental  diseases,  etc.  Collections  upon 
the  teeth,  plates,  etc.,  abscesses,  pyorrheas, 
etc.,  are  unquestionably  the  causes  in  many 
instances  of  fever,  septic  infection,  intestinal 
disturbances,  heart  complications,  pulmon- 
ary tuberculosis,  glandular  enlargements,  etc. 
The  relation  of  an  unclean  mouth  to  effects 
upon  the  mouth  and  alimentary  canal  and 
air  passages  is,  therefore,  a  direct  one  of  an 
importance  that  renders  exact  studies  in 
this  direction  of  extreme  value.  The  saliva, 
while  not  germicidal  (Miller),  may  or  may  not  contain  substances 
acting  as  pabulum  for  the  growth  of  bacteria,  but  probably  does  in 


\ 

/ 


/ 


> 


Bacillus  tuberculosis. 
1000.     (Green.) 


THE  RESISTANCE  OF  THE  TISSUES  TO  INFECTION       49 

many  cases  apart  from  extraneous  food  materials  introduced.  It 
has  been  considered  by  Hugenschmidt  that  the  saUva  is  positively 
chemotactic,  attracting  many  leukocytes  to  the  oral  mucous  mem- 
brane; also  the  great  vascularity  of  the  part  probably  aids  in  reducing 
effective  inoculation. 

THE  RESISTANCE  OF  THE  TISSUES  TO  INFECTION 

The  resistance  of  the  tissues  to  bacteria  is  to  be  considered  from 
two  main  standpoints:  (1)  The  prevention  of  the  entrance  of  bac- 
teria into  the  tissues.  (2)  The  destruction  of  the  bacteria  after 
entrance  into  the  tissues. 

1.  The  prevention  of  entrance.  It  has  been  shown  that  pathogenic 
bacteria  may  enter  the  mouth,  alimentary  canal,  lungs,  etc.,  but  few 
develop. 

The  skin  acts  as  a  mechanical  barrier,  though  its  openings  may  at 
times  harbor  bacteria. 

The  mucous  membrane  secretes  mucus,  which  envelops  bacteria 
and  with  it  they  are  carried  away.  The  healthy  mucus  also  has 
apparently  a  devitalizing  power  for  some  bacteria,  not  for  others. 

Fig.  24 


1,  a  spore  which  has  penetrated  the  intestinal  wall  and  entered  the  abdominal  ca\-ity,  where 
four  leukocytes  have  surrounded  its  end:  m,  the  muscular  layer  of  the  intestine;  e,  epithelial 
layer;  3,  the  serous  layer.  2,  a  spore  surrounded  by  leukocj'tes  from  the  abdominal  ca\'ity  of  a 
Daphne.     (Metchnikoff.) 

The  acid  gastric  juice  kills  many,  but  some  may  pass  through,  two 
or  three  hours  after  a  meal,  at  times  when  the  gastric  juice  is  not 
active.  Probably  the  intestinal  juices  also  inhibit,  in  large  degree, 
the  action  of  such  as  have  entered  the  alimentary  canal.  In  all 
cases  the  agitation  of  the  fluids  of  a  part  seems  to  act  mechanically 
to  prevent  localization  of  bacteria. 

2.  The  prevention  of  development  in  the  tissues.  Within  the 
healthy  tissues  bacteria  find  several  elements  opposing  their  develop- 
ment. 

It  seems  the  consensus  of  opinion  among  pathologists  that  the 
blood  serum  normally  contains  germicidal  substances  probably  of 
the  nature  of  a  nuclein  and  called  by  Buchner  "alexins." 
4 


50     MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF   DISEASE 


Fig.  25 


This  belief  is  mainly  based  upon  the  demonstration  of  Nutall  that 
filtered  blood  serum  possesses  the  power  of  producing  the  degenera- 
tion of  bacteria.  Buchner  found  that  heating  to  55°  C.  destroyed 
this  property,  a  fact  pointing  to  the  albuminous  nature  of  the 
alexins.  After  reviewing  all  the  evidence,  Vaughan  and  Novy^ 
conclude : 

"  (1)  the  exact  nature  of  the  germicidal  constituents  of  the  blood  or 
alexins  is  not  known;  (2)  the  alexins  have  their  origin  in  the  white 
blood  corpuscles;  (3)  disintegration  of  the  white  blood  corpuscles 
liberates  alexins ;  (4)  it  is  probably  true  that  alexins  are  also  secreted 
by  living  leukocytes."  Authorities  disagree,  some  claiming  multi- 
plicity of  alexins,  others  that  only 
one  alexin  exists  in  a  given  serum 
(Metchnikoff). 

Metchnikoff,  in  1884,  demon- 
strated that  the  leukocytes  take 
up  bacteria  within  themselves 
and  claimed  that  they  thus  de- 
stroy them.  This  process  he 
termed  phagocytosis  (phago,  I 
eat;  cytos,  a  bud).  The  poly- 
morphonuclear leukocytes,  called 
microphages  by  Metchnikoff,  and 
the  large  mononuclear  leukocytes, 
which  he  called  macrophages, 
have  this  power.  The  macro- 
phages take  up  dead  leukocytes. 
It  is  now  considered  that  this 
property,  which  is  also  pos- 
sessed by  the  endothelial  cells 
of  the  bloodvessels  and  serous 
cavities,  is  but  evidence  of  the 
nutritive  function  of  simple  cells 
occurring  after  the  bacteria  have 
been  partially  degenerated  by 
the  serum  (Fig.  25).  This  is  borne  out  by  experiments:  Mixed 
pyogenic  cocci  and  leukocytes  free  from  blood  serum  exhibiting  no 
phagocytic  activity,  whereas  when  the  bacteria  are  first  exposed  to 
blood  serum  and  then  to  phagocytes,  there  is  marked  phagocytosis 
(see  Opsonins).  In  some  cases  bacterial  disintegration  may  liberate 
the  intracellular  toxins  and  thus  permit  the  toxic  effects  upon  the 
host. 

1  Cellular  Toxins. 


Active  phagocytosis.  Endothelial  cells  en- 
closing the  bacilli  of  swine  septicemia,  from 
an  hepatic  vein  of  a  pigeon:  a,  a,  endothelial 
cells;  b,  6,  leukocytes.     (Metchnikoff.) 


IMMUNITY  51 

Researches  of  Leber,  Buchner,  and  others  have  shown  that  leuko- 
cytes may  be  attracted  by  certain  bacterial  products  even  in  high 
dilution,  and  by  other  chemical  substances  such  as  mercury  and 
copper  salts.  This  is  called  positive  chemotaxis.  The  opposite  is 
negative  chemotaxis.  It  has  been  shown  that  the  negative  may  be 
followed  by  marked  positive  chemotaxis. 

Toxins  are  negatively  chemotactic,  and  when  bacteria  produce 
much  toxin  phagocytosis  and  suppuration  is  lessened,^  e.  g.,  in 
streptococcus  infection.  Many  other  bacterial  products  and  bac- 
terial proteins  are  positively  chemotactic,  and  when  they  are  pro- 
duced in  place  of  much  toxin  phagocytosis  is  increased,  and  the 
bacteria,  if  few,  are  coincidently  destroyed  by  the  alexins  and  taken 
up  by  the  phagocytes  with  resolution,  or,  if  the  bacteria  be  numerous, 
suppuration  is  increased  and  the  bacteria  expelled  as  a  protection 
to  the  body.  It  has  been  shown,  however,  that  the  taking  up  of 
living  bacteria  may  occur  and  may  spread  an  infection.  Also  it  has 
been  shown  that  the  microphages  take  up  some  bacteria  and  the 
macrophages  take  up  others. 

If  the  combined  local  forces  be  incompetent  to  kill  out  the  infecting 
organisms,  the  local  infection  spreads  until  limited  or  the  patient 
dies;  or  a  metastasis  may  occur,  in  which  case  the  process  is  prac- 
tically repeated  in  another  locality. 


IMMUNITY 

Immunity  is  the  opposite  of  predisposition,  and  may  be  defined 
as  that  condition  of  the  local  fluids,  the  blood,  or  the  body  cells, 
in  w^hich  inoculation  with  bacteria  or  bacterial  products  has  no 
injurious  effects. 

There  is  also  some  relative  immunity  to  non-infectious  diseases, 
e.  g.,  females  to  hemorrhagic  diathesis.  Immunity  to  infective 
agencies  may  be  natural  or  acquired. 

Natural  Immunity.— This  is  usually  an  inheritance  from  immune 
ancestors  of  a  type  of  tissue  anatomy  and  physiology,  or  a  peculiar 
substance  in  the  blood,  etc. 

Typical  examples  of  this  kind  of  immunity  are  those  of  the  rat  to 
diphtheria;  man  to  rinderpest;  lower  animals  to  syphilis;  the  negro 
to  yellow"  fever  (though  he  is  susceptible  to  smallpox);  the  hog  to 
snake  venom,  etc. 

Natural  immunity  may  change  to  susceptibility  through  some 

1  Stengel:    A  Text-book  of  Pathology. 


52     MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE 

change  in  the  systemic  condition.  Thus,  two  students  attending  a 
scarlet-fever  ward  for  months  became  susceptible  through  the  effects 
of  a  long  walk  and  hunger;  both  took  the  fever,  one  dying. ^ 

Rats,  run  in  a  wheel  until  exhausted,  were  successfully  inoculated 
with  anthrax  bacilli,  to  which  they  are  normally  insusceptible. 

Natural  immunity  may  therefore  fail  upon  severe  test,  and 
survival  of  the  test  is  the  onlj^  certain  assurance.  This  natural 
immunity  may  be  of  two  kinds: 

1.  Natural  toxin  immunity,  e.  g.,  hog  to  snake  venom. 

2.  Natural  bacterial  immunity,  e.  g.,  negro  to  yellow  fever. 
Acquired  Immunity. — This  is  of  two  kinds: 

1.  Acquired  toxin  immunity. 

2.  Acquired  bacterial  immunity. 

Acquired  Toxin  Immunity. — Toxin  immunity  may  be  acquired 
in  two  ways : 

1.  By  the  injection  of  small  doses  of  toxins  at  intervals  until  no 
reaction  results.  The  horse  is  so  immunized  in  diphtheria  antitoxin 
production.     The  antitoxin  is  produced  by  the  cells  of  the  horse. 

2.  By  the  injection  into  man  or  animals  of  serum  containing  anti- ' 
toxin  produced  by  method  No.  1.    The  former  is  an  active  immunity; 
the  latter  passive. 

Acquired  Bacterial  Immunity. — Immunity  to  bacterial  inoculation 
may  be  acquired  in  several  ways: 

1.  Naturally,  through  having  had  an  attack  of  the  particular 
specific  disease,  thus,  as  a  rule,  measles,  smallpox,  syphilis,  yellow 
fever,  and  many  other  infectious  diseases  produce  bodies  which 
remain  in  the  blood  and  render  the  individual  immune  to  a  second 
attack,  though  in  some  cases  this  immunity  is  lost.  The  child  of  a 
syphilitic  mother  is  often  rendered  immune  to  syphilis  and  cannot 
be  subsequently  infected  by  her  (Profeta's  law);  also,  the  mother 
of  a  syphilitic  child  may  show  no  symptoms  of  the  disease  and  be 
immune  to  it  (Colics'  law).  The  toxin  is,  in  both  cases,  absorbed 
through  the  placenta,  immunizing  the  child  or  mother,  as  the  case 
may  be. 

2.  Artificially,  through  the  injection  into  the  body  of  attenuated 
bacteria,  cultivated  through  several  generations  under  unfavorable 
conditions;  for  example,  at  increased  temperatures  or  in  the  presence 
of  weak  antiseptics  or  by  passing  them  through  other  animals, 
whereby  their  virulence  is  lost:  a  mild  immunizing  attack  ensues. 
Thus  in  rabies,  or,  rather,  for  prevention  of  rabies,  after  the  bite 
of  an  animal  suffering  from  it,  accurately  graduated  doses  of  emul- 

1  Green:  Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. 


IMMUNITY 


53 


sions  of  the  spinal  cord  of  infected  rabbits,  dried  for  varying  periods 
to  produce  accurately  degenerated  rabies  germs,  are  injected  into 
man,  preventing  the  development  of  the  germs  introduced  by  the 
bite.  The  emulsion  of  older  cords  are  injected  first,  then  those  of 
younger  cords  (dried  for  a  shorter  time). 

3.  Artificially,  by  the  injection  of  dead  bacteria  from  a  pure  culture 
of  the  specific  bacterium  from  which  immunity  is  sought.  What  is 
known  as  the  opsonic  index  is  raised,  and  the  person  becomes  more 
resistant  to  that  particular  infection;  that  is  to  say,  phagocytosis  is 
increased.     (See  Opsonins.) 


Fig.  26 


A,  complement;  B,  amboceptor; 
C,  receptor;  D,  part  of  cell. 
Showing  how  complement  destroys 
bacteria  through  the  agency  of 
amboceptors. 


Cell  with  different  kinds  of  receptors:  C,  receptors.    The 
dark  objects  represent  food  molecules,  toxins,  etc. 


4.  Artificially,  by  the  injection  of  graduated  doses  of  toxins,  pro- 
duced in  a  saprophytic  medium  by  the  specific  bacterium,  all  bacteria 
being  filtered  out.  This  is  most  readily  done  when  the  toxins  pro- 
duced lie  in  the  medium  external  to  the  bacteria  (extracellular  toxins). 
The  horse  is  so  treated  in  the  production  of  diphtheria  antitoxin  for 
use  in  the  diphtheria  of  man. 

5.  Artificially,  by  the  injection  of  the  serum  of  animals  immunized 
by  method  Xo.  4,  which  serum  contains  a  substance  antagonistic  to 
the  specific  toxin  and  known  as  an  antitoxin,  also,  possibly,  a  sub- 
stance antagonistic  to  the  bacteria  producing  the  toxin.  Thus  the 
injection  of  horse  serum  containing  antitoxin  of  diphtheria  produced 
by  method  No.  4  into  a  diphtheric  patient  aborts  the  disease  by 


54     MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE 

antagonizing  both  the  bacteria  and  its  toxin.  Injection  into  the 
attending  nurse  produces  immunity  to  the  disease. 

The  methods  1,  2,  and  4  produce  a  much  more  lasting  immunity, 
as  the  antagonizing  substance  is  the  result  of  cell  reaction  on  the 
part  of  the  individual,  and  is  called  active  immunity;  that  produced 
by  method  No.  5  is  passive  immunity,  because  not  produced  by 
cell  reaction,  but  directly  introduced  into  the  blood,  and  is  much 
less  lasting.    It  is  not  effective  for  all  bacteria. 

The  various  forms  of  immunity  are  explainable  by  the  now  gener- 
ally accepted  theory  of  Ehrlich  known  as  the  side-chain  theory. 

Ehrlich's  Side-chain  Theory. — This  theory  is  based  upon  certain 
demonstrated  facts  and  upon  the  supposition  that  each  cell  is  com- 
posed of  a  complex  nucleus  made  up  of  groups  of  molecules  in  turn 
composed  of  aggregations  or  groups  of  atoms  and  surrounded  by 
side  groups  of  atoms  (molecules),  which  compose  the  cell  protoplasm. 
Each  atom  group  is  supposed  to  have  its  own  chemical  affinity  for 
food  elements,  poisons,  etc.,  as  shown  by  the  selective  affinity  of 
drugs. 

These  chemical  atom  groups,  therefore,  have  a  receptive  function 
and  are  called  receptors  (on  the  cell).  Other  groups  have  a  ferment- 
ative action  and  chemically  change  the  substances  presented:  these 
are  called  zymophorous  atom  groups. 

Each  toxin  molecule  has  an  affinity  for  some  cell  receptors,  other- 
wise no  effect  is  produced  by  it.  (Snake  venom  has  no  effect  upon 
the  hog.) 

The  receptor  is  considered  to  possess  a  group  of  atoms  suited  to  a 
prehending  action,  whereby  it  combines  with  the  toxin  molecule  (or 
food  molecule  in  nutrition),  which  possesses  a  similar  combining 
group  of  atoms.  In  each  these  are  termed  the  haptophorous  group. 
The  toxin  molecule  is  capable  of  inflicting  injury  upon  or  stimulating 
cell  action,  as  shown  in  the  case  of  tetanus,  in  which  tonic  muscular 
contractions  are  excited.  The  group  of  atoms  in  the  toxin  molecule, 
which  accomplishes  this  is  termed  the  toxophorous  group  (Fig.  27). 

That  the  body  cells  neutralize  the  toxin  if  not  in  overwhelming 
quantity,  is  shown  by  the  experiment  of  Wassermann  and  Takaki, 
in  which  a  mixture  of  brain  emulsion  and  tetanus  toxin  was  inert 
when  injected  into  a  susceptible  animal.  Therefore,  a  zymophorous 
group  of  atoms  is  said  to  exist  in  the  cell  or  its  receptor. 

The  Theory  of  Toxin  Immunity. — The  toxin  produced  during  an 
infective  disease,  such  as  diphtheria,  and  floating  in  the  blood, 
presents  itself  to  cells,  for  some  receptors  of  w^hich  it  has  an  affinity. 
The  haptophorous  atom  group  of  its  molecule  joins  with  the  hapto- 
phorous  atom  group  of  the  receptor.    The  toxophorous  group  exerts 


IMMUNITY 


55 


its  action  upon  the  receptor  and  is  neutralized  by  the  zymophorous 
group  of  the  latter  unless  the  toxin  is  in  too  great  quantity.  The 
cell,  in  case  of  injury,  repairs  itself  by  forming  an  excess  of  the  par- 
ticular kind  of  receptors  having  affinity  for  the  particular  toxin. 
These  receptors  become  detached  and  float  in  the  blood,  and  there 
have  the  same  affinity  for  the  toxin.  These  are  called  receptors  in  the 
blood,  and  constitute  what  is  known  as  antitoxin.  They  are  known 
to  be  formed  by  the  body  cells  and  not  by  the  blood,  as  they  have 
been  found  in  the  tissue  juices  of  blood-making  organs  immediately 
after  the  introduction  of  toxin,  while  at  the  same  time  not  found 
in  the  blood,  though  they  afterward  appear,  as  might  be  expected 
(Fig.  28). 


Fig.  28 


Fig.  29 


Showing  separation  of  antitoxins,  and  combina- 
tions of  toxins  (dark)  with  free  antitoxins  in  the 
blood. 


-D 


Showing  the  action  of  anticomplement: 
A,  complement;  B,  intermediary  body; 
C,  receptor;  D,  cell;  E,  anticomplement. 


The  antitoxin  receptor  (with  affinity  for  the  toxin  molecule)  has 
an  haptophorous  atom  group  which  combines  with  the  haptophorous 
group  of  the  toxin  molecule,  which,  having  found  its  affinity  in  the 
blood,  is  satisfied,  does  not  further  affect  the  cells  proper,  and  thus 
cell  injury  is  prevented.  This  occurs  naturally  in  each  case  of 
diphtheria,  and  probably  recovery  or  death  is  dependent  upon  the 
ability  of  the  body  cells  to  furnish  antitoxin  sufficient  to  antagonize 
the  toxin  and  another  body  to  be  described  which  antagonizes  the 
bacteria. 

In  the  case  of  diphtheria  serum  therapeutics,  the  horse  is  com- 
pelled by  method  No.  4  to  form  these  antagonizing  substances,  and 
the  serum  is  then  injected  into  the  individual  suffering  an  attack 


56     MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE 

or  threatened,  thus  furnishing  him  ready  made  the  antagonizing 
substances  (antitoxin,  etc.).  A  special  antitoxin  is  supposed  to  be 
formed  for  each  kind  of  toxin.  Ehrhch  beheves  an  antitoxin  mole- 
cule to  be  capable  of  satisfying  200  toxin  molecules,  and  that  they 
combine  chemically.  In  old  sera  the  toxin  undergoes  a  chemical 
change  into  toxoid,  and  the  injection  of  this  causes  an  increase  of 
receptors  on  the  cell,  and  thus  renders  the  animal  more  susceptible 
to  the  action  of  the  toxin.  An  antitoxin  unit  is  the  amount  of 
antitoxin  necessary  to  neutralize  an  arbitrary  amount  of  a  particular 
toxin. 

Toxon  is  a  third  body  produced  by  the  bacteria  which  has  some 
affinity  for  antitoxin,  but  the  combination  is  still  somewhat  toxic 
(has  a  different  toxophorous  group  of  atoms),  and  in  diphtheria  is 
credited  with  the  production  of  postdiphtheric  paralysis.  The 
attempt  to  make  antitoxins  has  not  been  successful  in  most  cases. 

The  Theory  of  Acquired  Bacterial  Immunity. — ^When  bacteria  enter 
the  tissue  of  an  animal  by  inoculation  and  are  not  destroyed  by  the 
alexins  and  phagocytes,  they  develop  and  produce  toxins  and  may 
themselves  enter  the  blood.  A  reaction  of  the  body  cells  occurs,  as 
shown  by  fever,  and  not  only  antitoxin,  but  another  body  is  pro- 
duced by  the  cells,  which,  with  the  aid  of  still  another  substance 
called  complement,  is  capable  of  destroying  the  particular  bacterium 
causing  the  infection.  This  body  is  another  form  of  receptor  having 
two  haptophorous  groups,  by  which  it  links  the  complement  with 
the  receptor  of  the  bacterium,  and  thus  enables  the  complement  to 
destroy  the  bacterium  through  its  zymophorous  atom  group.  The 
doubly  haptophorous  receptor  is  called  from  this  fact  the  amboceptor 
(also  intermediary  or  immune  body)  (Fig.  26).  A  different  ambo- 
ceptor is  produced  for  each  bacterium  and  the  host  is  immunized 
against  this  bacterium  only. 

The  complement,  of  which  there  are  several  in  association  in  the 
blood  (Ehrlich),  is  probably  produced  by  the  leukocytes,  and  is 
classed  among  the  alexins.  As  stated,  it  has  a  zymophorous  atom 
group,  and  also  has  an  haptophorous  atom  group  with  which  it 
joins  the  amboceptor.  The  complement  is  destroyed  at  55°  C.  (is 
thermolabile) .  The  amboceptor  requires  a  higher  heat  (is  thermosta- 
bile);  a  different  amboceptor  is  probably  formed  for  each  variety 
of  bacterium. 

In  natural  bacterial  immunity  it  is  thought  that  some  of  the 
amboceptors  are  inherited  from  immune  ancestors,  and  that  they 
exist  together  with  complement  in  the  blood  ready  to  act.  Metchni- 
koff  claims  that  amboceptor  and  complement  are  products  of  the 
leukocvtes.     The  elements  in  blood  serum  which  destrov  bacteria 


IMMUNITY  57 

are  termed  haderiolysins ,  and  the  new  bodies  formed  by  cells  as  a 
protection  are  called  antibodies.  Toxins  and  not  ptomains  stimu- 
late their  formation. 

Agglutination. — When  body  cells  react  to  infection,  and  attempt  to 
or  effect  immunity,  the  blood  plasma  acquires  the  property  of  clump- 
ing the  bacteria  together,  and  they  settle  to  the  bottom  of  a  test 
serum,  leaving  the  fluid  clear.  It  is  supposed  to  be  exhibited  only 
toward  the  bacterium  causing  the  infection,  but  experimentally 
out  of  the  body  {in  vitro)  others  are  sometimes  affected. 

The  substance  producing  agglutination,  called  agglutinin,  evi- 
dently exists  in  blood  as  the  result  of  cell  reaction.  It  is  of  the 
nature  of  liberated  amboceptors,  but  has  a  zymophorous  group.  It 
therefore  acts  by  combining  by  an  haptophorous  group  and  acting 
through  a  zymophorous  group. 

The  reaction  is  useful  in  making  an  early  diagnosis  of  the  kind  of 
existing  infection.  Thus  if  typhoid  bacillus  be  suspected  as  a  cause 
of  disease  present  and  be  the  cause,  the  blood  serum  drawn  from  the 
patient  will  agglutinate  living  t^^phoid  bacilli  placed  in  it.  This  is 
known  as  Widal's  reaction. 

Precipitins. — A  substance  of  nature  and  origin  similar  to  agglutinin 
causes  precipitation  instead  of  agglutination.  It  is  used  in  diagnosis 
and  in  differentiating  the  blood  of  animals,  a  matter  of  importance 
in  murder  cases. 

Opsonins. — In  the  absence  of  serum,  phagocytosis  does  not  occur. 
Wright  determined  that  leukocytes  washed  in  sodmm-citrate-chlorid 
solution  to  free  them  from  serum,  and  then  introduced  into  serum 
containing  bacteria  but  no  leukocytes,  would  then  produce  the 
phenomenon  of  phagocytosis.  Obviously,  then,  the  serum  contains  a 
substance  or  substances  capable  of  favoring  phagocytosis. 

It  is  regarded  that  this  substance  prepares  the  bacteria  for  the 
phagocytic  process,  and  from  this  fact  Wright  named  these  sub- 
stances opsonins,  which  are  therefore  classed  among  the  alexins. 
Opsonins  have  an  haptophorous  of  group  atoms  prehending  the  bac- 
teria and  a  zymophorous  group  acting  upon  them.  Other  observers 
have  determined  that  opsonins  are  multiple  in  normal  blood.  The 
degree  of  activity  of  the  opsonin  related  to  a  particular  infection 
when  compared  with  that  of  a  healthy  person  is  called  the  opsonic 
index. 

The  Opsonic  Index. — To  test  the  opsonic  index,  an  even 
emulsion  of  the  bacteria,  the  serum  of  the  infected  patient,  the 
serum  from  each  of  several  healthy  persons,  and  healthy  leukocytes 
from  the  healthy  persons  are  necessary. 


58      MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE 

1.  The  Emulsion. — The  pure  culture  is  isolated.  A  2  per  cent, 
nutrient  agar  medium  has  sterile  milk,  milk  serum,  or  blood  serum 
added  in  the  proportion  of  1  part  to  3  of  the  nutrient  agar.  In 
tubes  of  the  selected  medium  slant  cultures  are  made,  and  incubated 
at  37.5°  C.  for  eighteen  to  twenty-four  hours.  (Gilder sleeve.)  These 
are  then  washed  from  the  surface  of  the  medium  with  0.85  per  cent, 
sodium  chloride  solution  and  the  solution  placed  in  a  sterile  bottle 
with  sterile  glass  beads  or  sand  and  shaken  to  remove  clumps. 
The  number  of  bacteria  in  each  cubic  centimeter  is  then  estimated 
(standardized)  and  a  dilution  made  on  the  basis  of  this  estimated 
count  with  0.85  per  cent,  sodium  chloride  solution,  so  that  when 
opsonized  with  normal  serum  each  leukocyte  will  take  up  from  5  to 
8  of  ordinary  bacteria.    (Gildersleeve.) 

2.  The  Sera.— These  are  obtained  from  the  patient  and  healthy 
persons  by  congesting  the  finger  with  a  rubber  band  and  bleeding 
into  a  capsule  or  pipette,  which  is  then  sealed  and  the  blood  allowed 
to  clot  in  the  incubator  for  15  to  20  minutes. 

3.  The  leukocytes  are  obtained  by  filling  with  blood  a  centrifuge 
tube,  three-fourths  full  of  a  1  per  cent,  solution  of  sodium-citrate 
in  0.85  per  cent,  solution  of  sodium  chlorid.  After  shaking,  the  tubes 
are  centrifugalized,  the  fluid  drawn  from  the  buffy  coat,  and  the 
latter  then  carefully  pipetted  and  drawn  in  and  out  to  mix  thoroughly. 

The  preparations  being  ready,  equal  volumes  of  bacterial  emulsion, 
the  serum  to  be  tested,  and  leukocytes  are  drawn  into  a  marked 
pipette,  each  volume  being  separated  by  a  bubble  of  air.  These 
are  then  mixed  by  drawing  in  and  out,  and  the  end  of  the  pipette  is 
sealed  and  the  pipette  placed  in  an  opsonizer  for  fifteen  or  twenty 
minutes.  The  pipette  end  is  then  broken,  and  the  contents  spread 
evenly  on  several  glass  slides  by  means  of  another  slide  (Gilder- 
sleeve) . 

These  are  then  air  dried  and  stained.  The  bacteria  in  a  given 
number  of  leukocytes  are  counted  and  the  total  divided  by  the 
number  of  leukocytes  counted,  thus  obtaining  the  average  of  bac- 
terial ingestion  per  leukocyte.  This  gives  the  'phagocyting  index  for 
the  infected  individual. 

The  same  procedure  exactly  is  carried  out  with  the  normal  sera, 
and  the  average  phagocyting  index  determined.  The  index  is  cal- 
culated by  dividing  the  patient's  phagocyting  index  by  the  normal 
phagocyting  index,  or  the  same  thing  may  be  done  by  the  following 
proportion : 

Normal  index  :  patient's  index  '.:  1  :  x. 

If  X  is  above  1,  the  patient's  index  is  high. 

If  X  is  below  1,  the  patient's  index  is  low  or  subnormal. 


IMMUNITY  59 

Vaccine  Therapy. — Wright  found  that  when  a  large  number  of  the 
bacteria  causing  the  infection  were  killed  and  then  injected  into  the 
patient,  their  bodies  contained  substances  which  produced  a  cell 
reaction  resulting  in  an  increase  of  opsonin  and  phagocyting  power 
in  the  leukocyte  of  the  individual — this  determined  by  the  opsonic 
index. 

For  a  time — twenty-four  or  forty-eight  hours — the  index  became 
lower.  This  Wright  called  the  negative  phase;  afterward  it  gradually 
rose  to  a  maximum.  This  stage  he  termed  the  positive  phase.  The 
object  sought,  then,  is  to  increase  the  resistive  power  of  the  patient 
to  the  infection  through  an  increase  in  the  phagocytosis. 

The  Vaccine. — This  is  prepared  by  producing  an  emulsion  of  the 
pure  culture  as  for  the  opsonic  index.  The  emulsion  is  then  stand- 
ardized by  an  estimation  of  the  bacteria  in  each  cubic  centimeter. 
The  bacteria  are  then  killed  by  heating  the  sealed  container  in  a 
water  bath  and  are  then  diluted  with  0.85  sodium  chlorid  solution 
(with  0.2  per  cent,  of  tricresol  or  phenol  added)  to  the  desired 
strength. 

The  proper  number  of  bacteria  for  one  maximum  dose  should  be 
contained  in  1  c.c.  of  the  diluted  emulsion.  To  determine  the  dilu- 
tion the  estimation  in  1  c.c.  of  standardized  emulsion  is  divided  by  the 
number  desired  as  a  dose,  and  the  quotient  less  1  equals  the  number 
of  c.c.  of  the  diluting  solution  to  be  added  to  1  c.c.  of  the  emulsion. 

The  Injection. — The  hypodermic  syringe  is  sterilized  and  filled 
with  the  diluted  emulsion  and  an  injection  made  into  a  convenient 
site,  which  should  be  previously  sterilized  with  2  per  cent,  phenol 
solution,  followed  by  sterile  water  and  absolute  alcohol  (Gildersleeve) . 
The  needle  should  be  inserted  into  the  subcutaneous  tissue  of  the 
outer  side  of  the  arm,  or,  if  preferred,  of  the  leg  or  thigh,  or  below 
the  angle  of  the  scapula,  which  ever  would  prove  most  convenient  for 
the  purpose. 

Gildersleeve^  recommends  smaller  doses  when  the  index  is  low,  in 
general  infection,  in  acute  conditions,  in  children,  and  in  individuals 
markedly  depressed,  than  in  the  opposite  conditions.  He  gives  the 
following  dosage  of  the  various  vaccines  employed  in  treating 
infections  of  the  oral  cavitv: 


Micrococcus  aureus  and  albus 50,000,000  to  600,000,000 

Streptococcus  pyogenes 10,000,000  to  100,000,000 

Pneumococcus 10,000,000  to  100,000,000 

Micrococcus  catarrhalis 25,000,000  to  100,000,000 

Influenza  bacillus 25,000,000  to  100,000,000 


'  American  Text  Book  of  Operative  Dentistry. 


60     MICROORGANISMS  AS  EXCITING  CAUSES  OF  DISEASE 

The  Reaction  of  the  Blood. — According  to  Michaels^  (following 
Gautrelet),  individuals  in  whom  the  oxidations  are  below  normal, 
and  who  have  a  tendency  to  arthritic  diseases  because  of  an  excess 
of  the  acid  constituents  or  waste  products  in  the  body  fluids,  are 
denominated  hyperacid  individuals.  The  hypoacid  have  oxidations 
above  the  normal,  together  with  a  superabundance  of  saline  chlo- 
rides; and  these  he  regards  as  more  subject  to  infection.  There  are 
three  ways  in  which  the  predisposition  of  the  hypoacid  might  be 
accounted  for: 

1.  The  increased  amount  of  alkaline  elements  may  permit  an 
alkaline  reaction  of  the  blood,  rendering  it  favorable  to  bacteria  as 
a  culture  medium. 

2.  The  systemic  change  may  introduce  a  substance  into  the 
blood  whfch  is  a  suitable  pabulum  for  the  bacteria  (according  to 
Kirk^  this  occurs  in  the  saliva  in  those  susceptible  to  caries). 

3.  Certain  immunizing  substances,  opsonins,  alexins,  etc.,  may 
fail  to  be  formed. 

Per  contra,  the  hyperacid  may  be  immune  for  opposite  reasons. 
Whether  this  be  a  rational  explanation  or  not,  it  is  certainly  shown 
by  Wright  that  therapy  will  increase  the  opsonic  index,  and  it 
may  be  that  in  the  hyperacid  the  continuous  cell  irritation  by  the 
acid  elements,  as  CO2,  uric  acid,  etc.,  may  cause  a  tissue  reaction 
increasing  alexin  or  opsonic  power. 

The  foregoing  is  merely  a  synopsis  of  the  main  facts  governing 
immunity.  There  are  many  details  which  are  omitted  and  for 
which  the  reader  is  referred  to  works  on  bacteriology. 


EXTERNAL  ANTIBACTERIAL  INFLUENCES 

Many  chemical  substances  and  physical  forces  prevent  the  growth 
and  reproduction  of  bacteria  without  necessarily  killing  them;  these 
are  called  antiseptics;  a  weak  solution  of  boric  acid  is  an  example, 
agitation  is  another,  dryness  another.  Low  temperatures  also  pre- 
vent fermentation.  Other  substances  or  forces  kill  the  bacteria  after 
an  exposure  to  their  influence  for  a  sufficient  length  of  time;  these 
are  germicides  —  e.  g.,  a  1  to  1000  solution  of  mercuric  chlorid  in 
water,  boiling  water,  or  streaming  steam;  sunlight  for  some  bacteria. 
Other  substances  destroy  both  the  bacteria  and  their  products;  these 
are  disinfectants — e.  g.,  sodium  dioxid  or  other  substances  liberating 
nascent  oxygen.     Formaldehyde  and  iodin  are  also  disinfectant. 

1  Sialosemiology.  ^  Dental  Brief,  1907. 


CHAPTER    IV 

DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

Disorders  of  nutrition  are  of  three  classes:  (1)  Due  to  an  excess 
of  nutritive  material  of  all  classes,  or  of  one  class;  (2)  due  to  a 
deficiency  of  nutritive  material,  active  or  relative;  (3)  due  to  the 
presence  in  the  blood  of  material  which,  instead  of  serving  the 
purpose  of  metabolism,  disturbs  it;  (4)  an  inability  of  the  cells 
to  appropriate  a  proper  quantity  and  quality  of  food. 

EXCESS  OF  NUTRITION;   HYPERNUTRITION 

An  excess  of  nutrition  may  be  either  general  or  local.  If  local, 
it  is  associated  with  an  overfulness  of  the  bloodvessels  (hyperemia). 
If  the  individual  possess  a  general  richness  of  blood,  he  is  said  to  be 
plethoric.  Sthenic  plethora  is  such  a  richness  associated  with  activity 
of  the  circulation  and  a  consequent  increase  of  the  vital  processes 
due  to  plentiful  cell  nutrition,  and  with  an  active  repair  of  even 
excessive  waste  of  cell  protoplasm. 

In  asthenic  plethora,  on  the  contrary,  the  individual  is  full-blooded, 
but  the  circulation  is  sluggish;  waste  products  are  probably  accumu- 
lated in  the  blood  and  the  vital  processes  are  sluggish  in  consequence. 
Instead  of  the  rich  color  and  active  movements  associated  with 
sthenic  plethora,  the  asthenic  have  a  purplish  appearance  and  the 
movements  are  more  labored. 

Local  Hypernutrition. — An  increased  stimulation  of  the  nerves  of 
a  part  invites  more  blood  to  it,  which  within  certain  limits  increases 
the  nutrition  to  the  cells  of  the  part.  This  results  in  increased  irri- 
tability, contractility,  and  general  functional  activity  of  the  func- 
tionating cells.  If  this  be  maintained,  the  cells  grow  or  multiply,  or 
both,  and  the  part  is  enlarged  and  capable  of  an  increased  amount 
of  work. 

Stimulation  beyond  this  point  causes  irritation  or  overstimulation 
of  cells,  and  the  vital  processes  become  fretful;  incomplete  chemical 
changes  occur  in  the  cells,  and  the  functional  activity  is  disordered. 
The  cells  are  wearied,  and  if  the  overstimulation  be  continued 
paralysis  from  overwork  results. 


62  DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

Hypertrophy. — Though  strictly  meaning  an  excess  of  nutrition, 
this  term  signifies  an  increase  in  the  size  of  a  part  as  the  result  of 
stimulation  and  destruction,  with  a  compensatory  rebuilding  of 
cell  material  in  excess  (a  cell  hyperplasia)  (Weigert^).  The  new- 
growth  must  be  practically  normal  in  structure.  As  a  rule,  both  the 
size  (simple  hypertrophy)  and  the  number  of  the  cells  (numerical 
hypertrophy  or  hyperplasia)  are  increased.  The  caliber  of  the 
bloodvessels  is  increased  to  comply  with  the  stimulus  to  their  con- 
trolling nerves — the  vasomotors.  Hypertrophy  is  frequently  ex- 
hibited in  tissues  subjected  to  an  unusual  amount  of  work  short 
of  marked  fatigue.  An  increase  in  its  function  occurs;  its  capacity 
for  work  becomes  greater,  and  if  the  strong  stimulus  (mild  irritation) 
implied  be  continued  the  cells  increase  in  size  and  it  may  be  in  number, 
all  three  phases  of  the  expenditures  of  an  increase  of  vital  energy 
being  represented — functional,  nutritive,  and  reproductive.  If  the 
heart  be  subjected  to  an  increase  in  the  strain  ordinarily  brought 
upon  it,  an  increase  in  the  volume  of  the  muscular  fibers  follows, 
causing  hypertrophy  of  the  walls.  The  same  is  true  of  the  muscles 
of  the  gravid  uterus,  in  which  the  cells  increase  to  many  times  their 
normal  length.  When  one  organ,  as  a  kidney,  takes  up  alone  the 
work  usuall}^  performed  by  two  it  increases  in  size  (hypertrophies). 
This  is  called  compensatory  hypertrophy.  It  may  occur  in  an  organ 
which  endeavors  to  supply  the  deficient  function  in  another  organ 
of  different  sort.  Hypertrophy  also  occurs  in  many  inflammatory 
conditions,  and  is  due  to  the  area  of  hyperemia  surrounding  every 
focus  of  inflammation.  Thus  the  epithelium  about  the  edges  of  an 
ulcer  may  thicken  or  new  bone  may  be  formed  about  an  area  of 
inflamed  bone  tissue  or  periosteum.  The  bone  tissue  may  become 
more  compact,  a  condition  termed  sclerosis  of  bone,  as  it  results 
in  the  formation  of  formed  (intercellular)  tissue  at  the  expense  of 
the  cellular  elements. 

The  removal  of  an  accustomed  resistance  often  produces  an  irri- 
tation resulting  in  mild  hyperemia,  and  thickening  or  hypertrophy 
results — e.  g.,  non-occlusion  of  teeth  frequently  produces  hyper- 
cementosis. 

A  form  of  cellular  hypertrophy  appears  to  occur  in  certain  leuko- 
cytes, resulting  in  the  formation  of  a  multinucleated  cell  or  ''giant 
cell." 

Under  irritation  the  nucleus  subdivides,  but  the  cell  body  fails  of 
division,  and  instead  of  complete  reproduction  a  large  cell  with  many 
nuclei  is  formed  (Fig.  30).    These  giant  cells  appear  where  tissue  is 

'  See  Abbott's  Principles  of  Bacteriology,  p.  601,  for  an  amplification  of  this  idea. 


EXCESS  OF  NUTRITION— HYPERNUTRITION 


63 


to  be  removed,  as  in  the  case  of  aseptic  foreign  bodies  or  the  roots 
of  deciduous  or  even  of  permanent  teeth.  (See  Resorption  of 
Temporary  Teeth.)  An  hypertrophy  or  excessive  development  may 
occur  during  intra-uterine  hfe  and  is  spoken  of  as  congenital  hyper- 
trophy. A  low  grade  of  inflammation  may  lead  to  a  numerical 
hypertrophy,  as  in  the  case  of  hypertrophy  of  the  dental  pulp 
(which  see). 

Hyperplasia. — Hyperplasia,  sometimes  called  false  hypertrophy,  is 
an  increase  in  size  partly  due  to  an  increase  in  the  number  of  the 
cells,  though  the  individual  cells  may  be  smaller  than  normal.  It 
occurs  mostly  in  the  connective  tissues,  though  it  ordinarily  plays 
a  part  in  most  hypertrophies.  The  part  is  usually  asymmetrical. 
Examples:  elephantiasis  and  hyperplasia  of  the  dental  pulp. 


Fig.  30 


"-r=- 


Dog's  hair  encapsulated  in  subcutaneous  tissue:  a,  hair;  6,  fibrous  tissue;  c,  proliferating  granu- 
lation tissue;  d,  giant  cells.  Preparation  hardened  in  alcohol,  stained  with  Bismarck  brown,  and 
mounted  in  Canada  balsam.     X  06.     (Ziegler.) 


Cyst  and  Tumor  Formation. — A  cyst  is  an  enlargement  contain- 
ing a  cavity  which  in  turn  contains  liquid,  gelatinous,  or  pultaceous 
material,  about  which  is  a  capsule  condensed  from  the  surrounding 
structures.  The  accumulation  of  the  fluid  or  semifluid  contents 
produces  the  enlargement  of  the  part  even  if  bony  (Fig.  31). 

They  differ  from  tumors  in  being  strictly  localized,  though  they 
may  be  large,  and  in  their  generally  benign  character,  though  tumors 
may  at  times  have  a  cystic  character. 

Cysts  may  be  formed  by  the  retention,  secretion,  or  extravasation 
of  fluid  in  several  ways:  (1)  By  the  retention  of  normal  secretion  of 
a  gland  owing  to  the  obstruction  of  its  duct — e.  g.,  ranula.  These 
are  called  retention  cysts.  (2)  By  abnormal  secretion  into  ductless 
cavities — e.  g.,  bursse  (exudation  cysts).  (3)  By  the  extravasation 
of  blood  into  a  ductless  cavity  (extravasation  cyst).  (4)  Indepen- 
dently in  tissue  as  a  result  of  mucoid  or  fatty  changes  or  liquefaction 
necrosis,  the  surrounding  tissue  becoming  condensed  into  a  capsule 
(liquefaction  cysts).     (5)  Independently  as  a  collection  of  fluid  in 


64  DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

connective-tissue  spaces,  which  enlarge  and  fill.  The  surrounding 
tissue  condenses  into  a  cj'st  wall.  (6)  Independently  as  a  result  of 
chronic  irritation  by  foreign  bodies,  extravasated  blood,  or  parasites, 
as  in  dentigerous  cysts^  (Fig.  31).  Cysts  may  have  but  one  cavit}^ 
(simple  cysts)  or  have  numerous  intercommunicating  cavities  known 
as  loculi  (compound  or  multilocular  cysts).  Forming  within  bony 
walls,  these  may  be  largely  distended,  and  the  walls  are  usually  thin. 
Dentigerous  and  other  cysts  are  usually  lined  by  epithelium  peculiar 
to  the  part.    The  explanation  of  Malassez,  that  epithelial  remnants 


Cyst  of  the  lower  jaw,  having  its  origin  about  an  undeveloped  tooth.     (Garretson  ; 

(as  the  enamel  organs)  develop  forcing  the  connective-tissue  elements 
outward  as  a  covering  to  them,  is  probably  the  correct  one.  Mean- 
while, fatty  degeneration  of  developed  epithelium  and  the  collection 
of  fluid  account  for  the  fluid  or  pultaceous  character  of  the  cyst 
contents.  This  proliferation  of  epithelial  remnants  is  well  proved 
by  the  development  of  epithelial  products  in  the  interior  of  dermoid 
cysts. 

Dermoid  cysts  are  cystic  tumors  of  widely  varjdng  sizes  found  in 
various  parts,  such  as  the  ovary,  neck,  base  of  brain,  orbit,  etc. 
They  contain  fatty  and  epithelial  debris,  and  are  lined  with  epithe- 
lium, outside  of  which  is  a  corium  with  its  papillae,  and  outside  of 
this  subcutaneous  adipose  tissue.  The  whole  is  enclosed  in  a  fibrous 
capsule  of  connective  tissue.    The  epithelial  lining  may  contain  and 

■  Green. 


DERMOID  CYSTS 


65 


develop  the  characteristically  dermoid  structures,  hair,  teeth, 
sebaceous  and  sweat  glands  (Fig.  34). 

BroomelP  states  that  the  hair  is  often  several  feet  long,  usually 
of  a  light  brown  color,  regardless  of  the  color  on  the  outside  of  the 
body,  and  becomes  white  as  age  whitens  the  outside  hair,  and  is 
usually  absent  in  dermoids  in  bald  persons.    Hair  follicles  are  present. 

He  states:  "Dermoids  of  the  mouth  are  usually  found  in  the  hard 
and  soft  palates,  infrequently  in  the  former,  but  when  found  are 
complicated,  while  the  more  frequently  found  in  the  soft  palate 


Fig.  32 


Longitudinal  section  of  a  tooth  from  an  ovarian  cyst:  a,  b,  d,  tissue  filling  absorption  cavities; 
c,  narrow  band  of  connective  tissue  through  which  the  organ  o  received  its  nourishment;  d,  absorp- 
tion of  enamel.     (Miller.) 

are  simpler.  In  these  situations  they  range  from  the  size  of  a  pea 
to  that  of  a  hen's  egg,  the  larger  being  pendulous.  They  are  also 
found  on  the  floor  of  the  mouth  and  dorsum  of  the  tongue.  Brown 
instances  a  case  in  which  one  la}'  under  the  jaw  and  extended  down 
the  side  of  the  neck.^ 

"The  teeth  range  in  shape  from  the  simple  cone  to  multicusped 
complex  forms,  the  crowns  of  the  same  being  well  formed.     The 


1  Dental  Cosmo.?,  1905. 

2  Ibid.,   190S. 


66 


DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 


roots  are  usually  not  fully  calcified  or  developed,  or,  perhaps,  partly 
developed.  A  follicular  wall  is  present.  The  enamel  may  be  smooth 
or  pitted. 

"The  cementum  is  usually  absent  or  but  slightly  developed. 

"Radicular  odontomes  evidenced  by  tumor-like  growths  on  roots 
are  due  to  aberration  of  the  dentinal  germ.  The  pulp  canal  was 
always  present  in  cases  examined.  Fusion  of  teeth  has  occurred  in 
these  cysts.  In  histology  the  teeth  are  similar  to  ordinary  teeth, 
with  some  slight  aberration  due  to  the  peculiar  condition." 


Fig.  33 


Absorption  tissue,  from  cavity  a  in  Fig.  32. 

Miller^  states  that  the  c^^stic  contents  include  fatty  acid,  oxalic 
acid,  large  quantities  of  ty rosin  and  leucin,  which  substances  furnish 
the  acid  for  the  decalcification  of  teeth  occasionally  found,  but  that 
no  bacterial  action,  such  as  occurs  in  the  second  stage  of  dental 
caries,  could  be  found.  He  stated  that  in  those  teeth  having  living 
pulps  transparency  might  be  found. 

Tumors. — A  tumor  is  a  newgrowth  conforming  to  a  degree  to  the 
normal  histology  of  a  part,  but  having  no  physiological  function 
and  no  typical  limit  of  growth.    They  are  classed  as  benign  or  malig- 


>  Dental  Cosmos,  1905. 


TUMORS 


67 


nant,  accordingly  as  they  are  strictly  localized  and  comparatively 
harmless,  or  tend  to  sap  vitality  and  to  spread  dangerously,  or  to  be 
transferred  to  other  localities  (metastasis). 

The  growth  of  a  tumor  is  attended  by  a  sapping  of  the  vitality  of 
a  sufferer — the  degree  of  the  debility  produced  being  apparently  in 
direct  ratio  to  the  size  and  the  rapidity  of  the  growth.  Besides  the 
size  and  the  rapidity  of  development  of  individual  tumors,  another 
element  determines  their  malignancy,  their  position,  and,  further- 


FiG,  34 


Portion  of  a  wall  of  an  ovarian  dermoid  cyst:    a,  wall  of  the  cyst;  b,  projecting  portion  made 
up  of  fatty  and  cutaneous  tissue;  c,  hairs;  d,  teeth.     (Ziegler.) 


more,  their  occurrence  in  other  parts  resulting  in  multiple  tumor 
formation.  A  tumor  victim  acquires  a  peculiar  appearance — a  cachexia 
whose  intensity  and  rapidity  of  advance  are  directly  dependent  upon 
the  degree  of  malignancy,  and  the  effects  produced  upon  general 
nutrition  by  the  toxic  substances  entering  the  circulation. 

Tumors  introduce  no  new  form  of  tissue  element;  they  are  repro- 
ductions of  the  cells  of  the  tissues  of  the  body.  They  may  have  the 
same  cell  formation  as  the  tissue  from  which  they  spring,  and  are 


68  DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

then  called  homologous  tumors;  or  they  may  have  a  different  histo- 
logical structure  from  the  tissue  in  which  they  are  found,  being  then 
called  heterologous  tumors.  For  example,  a  bony  tumor  growing 
from  bone  would  be  homologous;  a  cartilaginous  tumor  growing 
from  gland  tissue  would  be  heterologous. 

Causes. — The  causes  of  tumor  formation  are  unknown;  it  has  been 
believed  that  their  growth  is  due  to  parasites,  especially  the  protozoa; 
this,  however,  has  not  been  proved.  A  certain  proportion  of  tumor 
formations,  7  to  14  per  cent.,^  appear  to  be  caused  by  traumatic 
injury;  as,  for  example,  in  cases  of  mammary  tumor,  a  history  of  a 
blow  or  fall  may  be  at  times  obtained. 

Long-continued,  sluggish  inflammation  appears  to  be  causative 
of  tumor  formation  in  an  unknown  percentage  of  cases.  A  chronic 
irritation  of  certain  portions  of  the  body,  such  as  the  junction  between 
the  mucous  and  skin  surfaces  of  the  lip,  the  sides  of  the  tongue,  etc., 
is  a  frequent  antecedent  to  their  formation.  Ziegler  gives  a  reason- 
able explanation  of  the  origin  of  certain  epithelial  tumors  in  organs 
which  are  undergoing  atrophy;  for  example,  in  advanced  age  the 
connective  tissue  of  the  body  is  undergoing  atrophy  and  there  is 
relaxation  of  its  strata;  the  epithelium  of  the  surface  (or  of  glands), 
still  possessed  of  its  power  of  reproduction,  proliferates  and  invades 
the  connective  tissue,  producing  cancer. 

Cohnheim  advanced  the  theory  that  embryonic  remnants  or 
"rests"  are  included  in  the  tissues  and  in  time  reassert  their  pro- 
liferative powers. 

Tumor  formation  consists  in  the  reproduction  of  the  cells  of  one 
or  more  tissues,  and  in  the  growth  thus  formed  bloodvessels  are 
developed.  Tumors  do  not  contain  nerves,  though  they  may  develop 
in  nervous  tissue. 

"The  bloodvessels  of  tumors  have  comparatively  fragile  and  poorly 
developed  walls.  In  the  malignant  growths  or  rapidly  developing 
tumors  of  any  sort  the  vessels  are  mere  spaces  between  the  tumor 
cells,  with  little  attempt  at  the  development  of  firm  walls."^ 

About  the  more  slowly  developing  tumors  a  condensation  of  con- 
nective tissue  occurs  in  many  cases,  forming  a  distinct  limiting  wall 
or  capsule  from  which  the  tumor  may  be  enucleated. 

The  two  great  classes  of  tumors,  those  of  mesoblastic  and  those 
of  epiblastic  and  hypoblastic  origin,  may  be  subdivided  into  orders 
according  to  their  histological  peculiarities. 

>  Ziegler. 

2  Stengel:  A  Text-book  of  Pathology. 


TUMORS 


69 


Classification  of  Tumors 


TUMORS    OF   THE   MESOBLASTIC    TISSUES 

Those  usually  benign: 

Bony  tumor,  or  osteoma. 
Cartilaginous  tumor,  or  chondroma. 
Fibrous  tumor,  or  fibroma. 
Fatty  tumor,  or  lipoma. 
Mucous  tumor,  or  myxoma. 
Tumor  of  lymphatic  vessels,  or  lymphangioma. 
Tumor  of  bloodvessels,  or  hemangioma. 
Tumor  of  nerve  fibers,  or  neuroma. 
Tumor  composed  of  neuroglia,  or  glioma. 
Tumor  composed  of  muscle  fibers,  or  myoma. 
Those  usually  malignant: 

Tumors  of  connective  tissues  with  rapid  cell  proliferation  and 
little  intercellular  substance: 

Spindle-celled  sarcoma. 

Round-celled  sarcoma. 

Giant-celled  sarcoma. 
Sarcomata  i  Angiosarcoma. 

Sarcomatous  cylindroma. 

Melanosarcoma. 

Mixed  sarcomata,  as  fibrosarcoma,  etc. 


TUMORS    OF   THE    EPITHELIAL   AND    ENDOTHELIAL   TISSUES 

Those  usually  benign: 

Papilla  of  skin  or  mucous  membrane — papillomata. 
Tumors  of  epithelial  glands— adenomata. 
Those  malignant: 

"Epithelial  growths  atypically  reproducing  certain  glandular 
or  other  structures  and  showing  a  manifest  tendency  to 
irregular  extension."^ 

Epithelioma 
Consists  of  surface 
epithelium 
Carcinomata  J  Glandular  carcinoma 

(histologically  resembles  racemose  gland). 
Colloid  cancer. 
Syncytioma  malignum 

(carcinoma  of  placental  site). 


Squamous. 
Cylindrical 
(columnar) . 


'  Stengel :    A  Text-book  of  Pathology. 


70  DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

Tumors  are  rarely  composed  of  but  one  type  of  tissue;  several 
types  may  be  present,  the  tumor  receiving  its  name  from  the  tissue 
predominating.  When  the  distinguishing  feature  of  a  tumor  is  two 
predominating  tissues,  the  tumor  is  given  a  compound  name;  as, 
for  example,  when,  in  a  sarcomatous  growth,  numerous  large  multi- 
nucleated cells  characteristic  of  bone  marrow  are  found  it  is  called  a 
myeloid  sarcomatous  tumor.  When  fibrous  and  sarcomatous  tissues 
are  distinguishing  features  the  tumor  is  called  a  fibrosarcoma. 

Tumors  are  dangerous  in  several  ways :  The  size  of  the  tumor  may 
cause  pressure  upon  important  structures.  The  rapidity  of  growth 
may  sap  the  vitality  of  the  individual.  If  the  tumor  degenerate  or 
suppurate,  it  may  produce  hemorrhages,  or  the  absorption  of  the 
poisonous  products  may  produce  toxemia  with  anemia,  emaciation 
and  weakness,  and  a  train  of  malnutritional  conditions  due  to 
intoxications  (p.  94).  The  metastasis  of  portions  of  tumors  as 
emboli  reproduces  the  tumor  in  a  new  locality.  In  the  connective 
tissues  the  sarcomata  are  the  malignant  types  and  the  sarcomatous 
element  in  a  mixed  tumor  determines  the  malignancy,  e.  g.,  in  fibro- 
sarcoma. In  the  epithelial  tissues  the  carcinomata  are  the  malignant 
tumors,  and  in  mixed  tumors  determine  the  malignancy. 

Malignant  tumors  are  often  associated  with  disturbance  of  the 
general  health  from  their  inception.  They  tend  to  recur  after  abla- 
tion and  either  invade  the  adjoining  tissues  which  may  cause  grave 
local  disturbance  or  the  morbific  material  they  form  enter  the  cir- 
culation or  lymphatics  and  thus  are  transplanted  to  other  localities 
(metastasis) . 

Since  the  malignancy  of  a  tumor  is  due  primarily  to  the  size  and 
the  rapidity  of  its  growth,  it  is  clear  why  sarcomata  are  more 
malignant  than  fibromata,  and  why  some  forms  of  sarcomata  are 
more  malignant  than  others.    To  illustrate: 

Begin  observation  at  the  different  stages  of  connective-tissue 
development,  when  connective-tissue  cells  have  first  divided,  repro- 
duced; the  tissue  produced  is  at  the  indifferent  stage,  as  seen  in 
section  of  the  embryonic  jaw  (Fig.  35). 

Mesoblastic  cells  at  this  early  period  are  in  an  indifferent  stage; 
some  of  the  cells  shown  in  the  figure  will  form  bloodvessels,  others 
will  become  bone  corpuscles,  others  will  form  fibrous  and  others 
muscular  tissue.  This  structure  has  its  analogue  among  tumors 
in  a  soft,  fleshy,  rapidly  growing  growth,  called  the  round-celled 
sarcoma.  As  cells  expend  their  vital  energy  in  three  ways  (nutritive, 
functional,  and  reproductive  activity)  the  embryonic  cells  of  such 
a  growth  may  expend  their  energy  in  nutrition  (growth),  and  will 
then  grow  out  of  the  indifferent  stage  into  a  more  mature  form  of 


TUMORS 


71 


connective  tissue,  the  ultimate  form  of  one  type  being  a  fiber;  an 
embryonic  round  cell  undergoing  a  series  of  form  changes  from  a  small 
round  cell  to  a  long  fiber  (Fig.  36).  The  growth  may  cease  at  any 
stage  of  this  form  change,  the  tumor  composed  of  such  cell  forms 
receiving  a  corresponding  name.  The  embryonic  connective-tissue 
tumors,  as  stated,  are  called 

sarcomas,  the   form  of  the  fig-  35 

cells  composing  them  giving 
them  a  qualifying  title. 

In  Fig.  36  are  represented 
the  stages  of  development 
of  a  connective-tissue  fiber 
from  a  round  cell.  If 
growth  cease  at  stage  1,  and 
the  cell  energy  thereafter 
expend  itself  in  reproduc- 
tion, a  rapidly  growing 
tumor  composed  of  small 
round  cells  is  formed — a 
small  round-celled  sarcoma, 
markedly  malignant.  If 
the   cells  expend  a   portion 

of  energy  in  growth  of  cell  size,  a  large-celled  sarcoma  is  formed, 
less  malignant  than  the  former.  If  the  cells  expend  a  portion  of 
their  energy  in  forming  intercellular  substance,  reproduction  and 
malignancy  are  less  active.  So  the  spindle  forms,  3  and  4,  represent 
less  rapid  reproduction  and  lesser  malignancy  than  1  and  2,  although 


Porcine  embryo:    ct,  embryonic  connective  tissue  of 
mesoblast.     2.5  cm.      X  250. 


Fig.  36 


®     ® 


the  form  4,  which  should  be  of  less  rapid  reproduction  than  3,  because 
of  more  mature  organization,  is  frequently  more  malignant,  because 
less  intercellular  substance  is  formed,  as  shown  in  Figs.  37  and  38, 
the  energy  represented  in  that  process  being  used  up  in  reproduction. 
The  nearer  the  approach  to  the  mature  form  (6,  Fig.  36)  the  slower 
the  growth  of  the  tumor,  which,  w4ien  composed  of  tissue  of  this 
type,  loses  its  fleshy  (sarcomatous)  appearance  and  becomes  fibrous, 
and  is  hence  called  a  fibroma. 

■  When  a  sarcoma  begins  its  growth  from  bone,  its  histological 
character  is  frequently  modified  (Fig.  39).  It  contains  large  marrow 
cells  which  have  undergone  incomplete  reproduction,  forming  giant 


72 


DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 


multinucleated  cells;  this  is  a  common  form  of  tumor  emerging 
from  the  sockets  of  teeth.  Some  of  the  cells  of  a  sarcomatous  growth 
may  go  on  to  maturity,  while  others  remain  at  some  stage  of  their 


Fig.  37 


Fig.  38 


Small  spindle-celled  sarcoma   (from 
a  tumor  of  the  leg).      X  200. 


Large  spindle-celled  sarcoma.  To  the  left  the  cells 
have  been  separated  by  teasing,  so  that  their  individ- 
ual forms  are  apparent;  to  the  right  they  are  in  their 
natural  state  of  apposition,  such  as  would  be  seen  in  a 
thin  section  of  the  tumor.     (Virchow.) 


developmental  career.     Mahgnancy  will  be  modified  according  to 
the  amount  of  mature  tissue  formed. 

Epithelial  Tumors. — Growths  arising  from  epiblastic  or  hypoblastic 
tissues  may  be  benign  or  malignant.    What  are  called  the  adenomata 


Fig.  39 


Fig.  40 


Myeloid  epulis  from  lower  jaw:     a,  multi-  Adenoma  of  the  breast:    a,  group  of  gland- 

nucleated  giant  cells;  b,  oval  cells.  X  265.  ular  acini;  b,  fibrous  stroma;  c,  cells  broken 
(Pepper.)  away  from  their  attachment.    X  265.   (Pepper.) 

may  be  taken  as  the  type  of  the  benign  epithelioma;  that  is,  compara- 
tively benign.  They  present  all  of  the  characters  of  typical  glandular 
tissue;  numerous  acini  lined  with  epithelial  cells  and  surrounded  by 
connective  tissue  (Fig.  40).     Tumors  of  this  type  may  lose  their 


TUMORS 


73 


Fig.  41 


comparative  benignancy  and  become  of  the  succeeding  epithelial 
type. 

Carcinomata. — These  are  growths  arising  from  preexisting  epithe- 
lial tissue,  which  possess  the  characteristics  of  epithelium  developing 
NAithout  limitations  of  a  basement  membrane.  Beginning  upon  a 
skin,  or  mucous  surface,  or  in  a  gland,  the  reproduced  epithelial 
cells  are  not  sharply  marked  off  from  the  connective  tissue  by  a 
limiting  membrane,  but,  gaining  entrance  to  the  alveoli  of  connective 
tissue,  they  proliferate  there,  find  their  way  into  lymphatic  vessels 
and  lymphatic  glands,  and  reproduce  epithelial  growths  in  such 
places  of  lodgement,  so  that  a  tumor  having  its  origin  in  one  part 
may  give  rise  to  tumors  in  other  parts  of  the  body — metastasis 
(Fig.  41). 

Like  the  connective-tissue  tumors,  types  of  carcinoma  differ  as 
to  rapidity  of  growth  in  their  original  situation  and  in  the  degree  of 
transference;  these  factors  determine  their  malignancy.    Tumors  of 
the  sarcoma  group  may  also  give  rise 
to  growths  in  other  parts,  the  tumor 
cells  being  carried  thence  by  lymph 
vessels  or  bloodvessels. 

After  a  period,  tumors  frequently 
suffer  such  interference  with  their  nu- 
trition that  degeneration  occurs  in 
them. 

After  removal,  some  varieties  of 
tumors,  both  those  which  infiltrate  sur- 
rounding tissues  and  those  which  are 
metastatic,  show  a  tendency  to  recur- 
rence; that  is,  removal  does  not  effect 
a  cure,  and  the  tumor  may  upon  reap- 
pearance assume  another  and  a  more 
malignant  character. 

Epithelial  tumors  never  become 
tumors  of  the  connective-tissue  type; 
and,  vice  versa,  connective-tissue  tumors 
cannot  become  epithelial  tumors. 

The  distinction  formed  between  epiblast  and  .mesoblast  in  the 
embryo  is  maintained  throughout  life.  Tumors  show  a  great  variety 
of  histological  characteristics,  for  which  works  on  general  pathology 
should  be  consulted. 

While  the  treatment  of  tumors  is  not  a  part  of  this  book,  it  may 
be  said  that,  unless  the  cause  of  a  tumor  can  be  located  and  its 
benign  character  determined,  it  is  wise  to  view  it  as  dangerous. 


Section  through  an  aggregation  of 
very  young  cancer  cells,  lodged  like  an 
embolus  within  a  capillary  of  the  liver. 
The  parent  growth  was  an  adenocar- 
cinoma of  the  stomach.  Preparation 
stained  with  hematoxylin.  X  300. 
(Ziegler.) 


74  DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

They  should  be  usually  removed  surgically  unless  inoperable!    The 
a;-rays  are  useful  in  some  cases  after  operation  or  in  inoperable  cases. 

Cooley,  of  New  York,  has  suggested  a  toxin  for  injection  which 
inhibits  sarcoma  and  at  times  cures.  Its  use  after  operation  is  held 
advisable.^ 

The  writer  has  been  urged  to  introduce  material  upon  tumors 
of  the  jaws.    This  seems  inadvisable,  as  space  does  not  permit.    A 
tumor  is  readily  seen  and  should  be  viewed  with  suspicion.     If  not 
dental  as  described  hereafter,  it  should  be  referred  to  a  surgeon, 
for  further  diagnosis. 


DEFICIENCY  OF  NUTRITION;  HYPONUTRITION 

If  the  quantity  or  quality  of  the  blood  delivered  to  a  part  be 
deficient,  the  nutrition  of  the  cells  of  the  part  is  impaired.  First, 
atony,  a  lessened  activity  of  the  vital  processes  of  the  part,  occurs. 
Cell  chemistry  is  disordered,  and  waste  products  are  either  retained 
in  or  about  the  cells. 

The  function  of  the  cells  is  diminished :  If  secretory,  its  secretion 
is  lessened;  if  muscular,  the  cell  has  a  lessened  contractility;  the 
relations  between  nutrition  and  waste  are  disturbed;  the  part  be- 
comes physiologically  wearied  sooner  than  usual. 

Hypoplasia. — ^If  the  process  cause  interference  with  the  develop- 
ment of  an  organ,  so  that  it  is  much  below  normal  in  size,  or  the 
development  of  a  part  is  arrested,  whether  from  lack  of  nutrition 
or  disturbance  of  developmental  cells,  the  resulting  condition  is 
termed  hypoplasia. 

If  the  parts  fail  entirely  of  development,  the  condition  is  called 
agenesia. 

Atrophy. — If  the  process  of  hyponutrition  be  marked,  the  waste  in 
a  previously  normal  part  may  exceed  repair,  and  the  part  affected 
becomes  diminished  in  size  or  atrophied  (Fig.  42,5).  Atrophy  may 
be  general  or  local.  In  general  atrophy  there  is  a  general  loss  of 
tissue,  due  to  an  excessive  waste  or  faulty  assimilation  of  food  by 
the  tissues.  There  is  a  loss  of  body  weight,  due  first  to  a  loss  of  the 
fat,  later  to  shrinkage  in  the  tissue  cells.  The  shrinkage  in  size  of 
the  tissue  cells  causes  shrinkage  of  the  entire  organ.  The  cells  and 
fat  may  recover  their  size  when  the  faulty  waste  or  assimilation  is 
corrected.  During  atrophy  many  cells  are  lost  through  the  process 
of  fatty  degeneration  and  removed  by  the  phagocytes  (leukocytes), 

1  Clinton:    Dental  Cosmos,  1910,  p.  316. 


HYPONUTRITION— DIGESTION 


75 


SO  that  atrophy  may,  Hke  hypertrophy,  be  both  simple  and  numeri- 
cal. An  atrophied  part  is  pale  and  shrunken,  contains  less  fluid, 
and  is  tough  and  fibrous.  At  times  the  fibrous  portion  or  connec- 
tive tissue  may  increase  as  the  cells  diminish  (sclerosis). 

Causes.^General  atrophy  is  caused:^  (1)  By  a  deficient  supply 
of  food  material  delivered  to  the  tissue  cells.  This  may  be  due  to  a 
primary  food  deficiency  or  any  interference  with  its  preparation  for 
absorption  or  with  its  proper  absorption  or  circulation.  (2)  By 
excessive  waste  of  the  tissues  generally,  as  in  fevers,  prolonged 
suppuration,  etc.  (3)  By  impaired  vital  activity  of  the  cells  them- 
selves, as  in  senile  conditions. 


Fig.  42 


Adipose  tissue:     A,  normal:  B,  atrophic,  from  a  case  of  phthisis;  o,  single  fat  cell,  with  cell 
wall,  nucleus,  and  drop  of  fat.      X  300.     (Virchow.) 

Local  atrophy  may  be  caused:  (1)  By  a  lessened  circulation  in 
a  part  due  to  obstruction  of  the  arteries,  veins,  or  capillaries,  as, 
for  example,  by  pressure.  (2)  By  diminished  functional  activity  or 
disuse  of  a  part,  as  in  the  case  of  unused  muscles  or  even  bones. 
Certain  organs  are  atrophied  or  resorbed  as  a  part  of  the  cycle  of 
life,  e.  g.,  the  umbilical  cord,  the  roots  of  deciduous  teeth,  the  thymus 
gland,  the  mammary  glands  after  the  menopause.  (3)  The  loss  of 
nervous  connection  of  a  part  with  the  nerve  centres  controlling  it 
(trophoneurosis),  or  through  interference  with  nervous  centres 
having  trophic  influence  upon  a  part.  (4)  Excessive  functional 
activity  may  cause  atrophy  by  producing  a  degenerative  condition 
due  to  overstimulation. 

Degeneration. — If  cells  have  reached  the  limit  of  their  life  cycle 
or  have  been  subjected  to  influences  markedly  disturbing  their 
nutrition,  the  proteids  of  which  they  are  composed  are  replaced 
by  new  substances  of  somewhat  obscure  origin,  which  appear 
in  the  parenchymatous  cells,  and  connective  tissue  markedly 
altering    the    histology    and    producing    a    pathological    anatomy 


'  Green. 


76 


DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 


a  \l 


peculiar  to  each  form  of  degeneration.  If  the  change  is  due  to 
chemical  changes  within  the  tissues,  it  is  a  true  degeneration.  If 
the  new  substance  enters  the  cell,  it  is  an  infiltration. 

Fatty  Infiltration.— In  this  condition  the  fat  is  found  in  globules 

in  the  cells,  which  globules  tend  to  coalesce.    The  nucleus  may  be 

»  pushed  aside.    It  is  regarded  as 

I'iG.  43  simply    the    storing    of    fat    in 

healthy    cells,    though    possibly 

an   infiltration   may   occur  in  a 

debilitated   or    degenerated   cell 

(Fig.  44.) 

Fatty  Degeneration.  —  Fatty 
degeneration  is  a  condition  in 
which  the  pathological  accumu- 
lation of  fat  is  found  in  the 
substance  of  cells.  The  cell 
appears  granular  and  fat-drop- 
lets appear  within  the  substance 
of  the  protoplasm  and  give  a 
black  reaction  with  1  per  cent, 
osmic  acid.  These  do  not  tend 
to  coalesce,  as  in  the  case  of 
fat  infiltration.  "  The  larger 
the  amount  of  cell  albumin 
replaced  by  fat  the  nearer  is  the 
whole  cell  to  death"^  (Figs.  45 
and  46). 

Three  theories  are  held  as  to 
••  the  origin  of  the  fat: 

1.  That  the  proteid  of  the  cell  is  changed  to  fat. 

2.  That  fat  is  a  normal  part  of  cell  proteid  and  simply  becomes 
more  visible  because  set  free  through  the  action  of  poison  (such  as 
bacterial  ferments  or  phosphorus)  acting  upon  the  combination  of 
fat  proteids  in  the  cell.  The  administration  of  phosphorus  to 
animals  produces  it. 

3.  That  the  fat  is  infiltrated  from  the  blood,  as  in  fatty  infiltra- 
tion, but  into  diseased  cells.  Thus  animals  were  poisoned  with 
phosphorus  and  then  fed  with  fat  foreign  to  the  animals;  the 
foreign  fat  was  found  in  the  degenerated  cells. 

Causes. — Depression  of  vitality  is  always  the  proximate  cause, 
and  as  primary  causes  producing  this  depression  may  be  mentioned : 


Muscle  fibers  in  simple  atrophy.      (Schmaus.) 


'  Green:   Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. 


H  YPONUTRI TION—DEGENERA  TION 


77 


Tissue  starvation  from  any  cause,  as  from  an  altered  food  supply. 
The  lack  of  oxygen  in  acute  hemorrhage  (suboxidation).  The  intro- 
duction into  the  blood  of  toxic  substances,  such  as  mineral  poisons, 
e.  g.,  arsenic,  mercury,  or  phosphorus;  chemical  compounds,  as 
carbon  monoxid;  leukomains,  as  in  diabetes  and  chronic  anemia; 
toxins,  as  in  fever  of  bacterial  origin  or  from  a  focus  of  infection. 


Fig  44 


Fig.  45 


Liver    cells   in   various   stages   of    fatty 
accumulation.    X  300.    (Rindfleisch.) 


Fatty    degeneration   of   cells:     a,    from    a    cancer;    fc, 
from  the  brain  in  chronic  softening.   X  200.  (Green.) 


Fig.  46 


l;li«52J*:A-^^^^^^~'^ 


Fatty  degeneration  of  the  heart,  from  a  case  of  pernicious  anemia.  The  protoplasm  is  replaced 
by  globules  of  various  sizes  stained  black  by  osmic  acid.  The  outlines  of  the  fibers  are  irregular, 
owing  to  inequality  in  their  distention.      X  400.      (Green.) 


Locally,  interference  with  the  circulation,  if  not  sufficiently  over- 
whelming to  produce  death,  may  cause  fatty  degeneration  of  cells 
by  interfering  with  the  food  supply,  as  in  venous  hyperemia,  aseptic 
infarcts,  and  simple  inflammation.  The  products  of  infection  can 
produce  fatty  degeneration  in  the  cells  of  the  inflamed  area.  (See 
Pathology  of  Inflammation.) 


78 


DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 


In  areas  which  have  undergone  fatty  degeneration  a  cheesy  sub- 
stance may  be  formed  out  of  the  degenerated  elements  existing 
in  the  part.  The  fluid  is  gradually  absorbed  and  a  mass  composed 
of  atrophied  cells,  fatty  debris,  and  cholesterin  crystals  is  left.  This 
process  is  known  as  caseation.  Encapsulation  of  the  caseous  mass 
by  fibrous  tissue  may  take  place,  or  its  liquefaction  or  its  calcifica- 
tion may  occur.  Fatty  degeneration  may  occur  in  many  tissues,  and 
the  danger  is  proportionate  to  the  importance  of  the  tissue  involved. 


Cloudy  swelling  of  kidney  epithelium:  a,  normal  epithelium;  &,  epithelium  beginning  to  be 
cloudy;  c,  advanced  degeneration;  d,  cast-off  degenerated  epithelial  cells.  From  a  preparation 
which  had  been  treated  with  ammonium  chromate.      X  600.     (Ziegler.) 


Cloudy    Swelling    (Parenchymatous   or   Granular  Degeneration). — 

Cloudy  swelling  is  a  change  occurring  in  the  parenchyma  (essential 
cells)  of  a  part  as  the  result  of  the  presence  of  toxic  substances  in 
the  blood,  or  even  as  the  result  of  aseptic  disturbance  of  nutrition, 
such  as  a  severe  burn.  The  same  causes  which  produce  fatty 
degeneration  may  produce  it. 

Pathology. — The  cell  absorbs  fluid,  swells,  its  contents  become 
granular,  and  the  histological  structure  is  lost.  In  the  early  stages 
the  change  is  albuminous;  no  fat  is  demonstrable;  later,  however, 
it  appears,  so  that  the  change  is  regarded  as  a  first  stage  in  the 
production  of  fatty  degeneration,  by  which  process  many  of  the 


INFILTRATION— DEGENERATION  .  79 

cells  are  lost,  though  the  organ  may  recover  if  the  patient  withstands 
the  original  disease  (Fig,  47). 

Glycogenic  Infiltration — Normally,  glycogen  is  found  in  some  other 
tissues  than  those  of  the  liver,  notably  in  muscle.  If  it  appear  in 
tissue  not  normally  containing  it,  or  in  excess  in  those  in  which  it 
is  normal,  a  glycogenic  degeneration  or  infiltration  exists.  It  may 
be  produced  by  any  influence  which  alters  the  behavior  of  cells, 
especially  those  having  secreting  activity  toward  the  carbohydrate 
food  element  (glucose),  as  in  diabetes,  and,  while  mostly  within  the 
cells,  may  exist  in  the  intracellular  tissue.  (Stengel.)  It  is  stained 
brown  by  iodin  and  converted  by  ptyalin  or  amylopsin  into  sugar, 
the  color  reaction  then  not  occurring. 

It  does  not  seem  to  be  clearly  shown  as  a  direct  infiltration  of 
glycogen,  but  rather  as  an  appearance  of  glycogen  in  the  cells,  which 
may  readily  be  glucose  changed  to  glycogen  within  the  cells.  It 
has  not  been  satisfactorily  shown  to  be  a  degeneration  from  proteid 
constituents.     (Stengel.) 

Cook^  calls  attention  to  the  fact  that  the  tissues  become  capable 
of  diverted  action,  and  that  the  glycogen  may,  even  experimentally, 
be  so  acted  upon  by  oxidizing  agents  as  to  be  converted  into  acid 
derivatives,  probably  lactic  acid,  paralactic  acid,  and  sarcolactic 
acid,  and  that  these  may  be  broken  up  by  the  zymotic  action  of 
tissue  cells  or  by  certain  bacteria.  The  degenerative  change  in  the 
tissues  renders  them  susceptible  to  bacterial  action,  as  in  case  of 
the  gum  tissue. 

The  mucous  membrane  of  the  gums  has  been  shown  by  the  same 
author  to  be  capable  of  this  degeneration  if  overstimulated  by  chem- 
ical agents  followed  by  the  use  of  a  stiff  brush,  and  he  argues  that 
acid  derivatives  may  be  liberated  either  by  the  tissue  or  by  bacteria 
in  contact  with  them,  and  thus  possibly  account  for  certain  phases 
of  tooth  destruction,  as  erosion.  He  emphasizes  the  fact  that  infil- 
tration of  tissue,  with  abnormal  quantities  of  a  normal  constituent 
of  the  body,  is  more  likely  to  take  place  in  the  lymphoid  and  mucous 
cells  of  the  body  than  in  any  other  tissue  structure. 

Hyalin  Degeneration. — In  various  forms  of  arthritis,  in  arterio- 
sclerosis, during  infection,  in  septic  processes,  and  in  other  condi- 
tions a  retrogressive  process,  characterized  by  the  appearance  of  a 
homogeneous  proteid  substance,  occurs.  It  is  closely  allied  to  amyl- 
oid, mucoid,  and  colloid  degeneration,  and  to  coagulation  necrosis. 
The  new  tissue  is  of  a  glistening,  waxy,  homogeneous  appearance, 
and  stains  with  great  affinity  with  acid  anilin  stains,  as  acid  fuchsin, 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1907. 


80 


DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 


taking  a  brilliant  red  color.    The  cells  of  the  part  may  show  fatty 
degeneration. 

Location. — Seats  of  interest  are  the  endothelium  of  bloodvessels, 
which  is  proliferated,  making  the  wall  thickened,  and  the  lumen  nar- 
rowed or  obliterated.  (See  Endarteritis  Obliterans.)  Upon  mucous 
membranes  it  causes  opaque  plates  or  pseudomembranes.  It  occurs 
in  interstitial  tissues  and  also  within  the  cells.  Its  proximate  etiology 
and  pathology  are  obscure. 

The  hyalin  material  can  be  reconverted,  absorbed,  and  removed. 
It  does  not  injure  the  cells  to  an  extreme  degree.  It  may  be  con- 
verted into  other  albuminoid  degenerations,  may  undergo  caseation 

and    calcareous    infiltration. 
Fig.  48  (Stengel.)        It      has     been 

found  in  the  epithelium  of 
the  mouth  by  Cook,  but 
without  established  signifi- 
cance. 

Mucoid  Degeneration. — 
In  this  form  of  degeneration 
the  proteid  protoplasm  of 
cells  is  transformed  into 
mucin,  a  glycoproteid  char- 
acterized by  affinity  for  basic 
anilin  stains,  as  methylene 
blue.  It  occurs  in  catarrhal 
mucous  membranes,  connective  tissue,  tumors,  etc.  Mucin  absorbs 
water,  but  is  not  soluble  in  it  or  dialyzable.  In  the  catarrhal 
mucous  membranes  the  goblet  cells  show  excess  in  number,  and 
are  swollen  and  distended  with  mucin.  (Stengel.)  The  cell  becomes 
vacuolated  and  the  nucleus  granulates  and  stains  with  a  basic 
stain.  About  the  necks  of  teeth  the  mucus  becomes  stringy  and 
tenacious,  its  chemical  and  physical  character  being  changed 
and  chondroitin  present.     (Cook.)i 

According  to  this  author  this  substance  combining  with  water  might 
give  rise  to  sulphuric  acid  in  contact  with  the  teeth.  C18H27NSO17 
+H20  =  H2S04+Ci8H27NOi4.  Mucic  acid  might  be  produced  from 
glycuronic  acid  found  in  mucin.  Cook  observed  mucoid  degenera- 
tion of  epithelial  cells  and  submucous  structure  in  cases  in  which 
strong  astringents  were  used  on  the  mucous  membrane;  the  con- 
traction of  the  cells  caused  a  retention  of  mucin  leading  to  a  chemical 
change  in  the  mucin  itself.     (See  Erosion.) 


Hyalin  degeneration  of  small  vessels  in  the  cord. 
X  350. 


1  Dental  Cosmos,  1907. 


INFILTRATION— DEGENERATION 


81 


Colloid  Degeneration. — This  consists  of  the  abnormal  appearance 
of  a  non-dialyzable  substance  Hke  mucin,  but  differing  from  it  in 
preference  for  acid  stains,  by  not  being  precipitated  by  acetic  acid 
and  alcohol,  by  lack  of  absorption  of  water,  also  by  causing  a  more 
profound  disturbance  of  cells  in  which  this  is  found  and  in  which 
it  remains  much  longer.  Salts,  as  calcium  oxalate,  are  apt  to  be 
precipitated  in  it,  and  may  be  again  dissociated.  The  etiology  is 
obscure,  but  probably  analogous  to  that  of  mucoid  degeneration. 


Fig.  49 


Colloid  cancer,  showing  the  large  alveoli,  within  which  is  contained  the  gelatinous  colloid 
material.      X  300.     (Rindfleisch.) 


Dropsical  Infiltration. — This  is  an  infiltration  of  an  excess  of 
plasma  into  cells.  It  is  a  part  of  cloudy  swelling,  or  may  occur  as 
large  droplets  of  plasma  enlarging  the  cell  compressing  the  nucleus 
and  protoplasm,  and  may  even  cause  the  cell  to  burst.  Fatty  degen- 
eration of  the  protoplasm  may  occur  as  a  sequence  to  dropsical 
infiltration.  The  process  occurs  in  general  dropsy,  in  burns,  in  skin 
lesions  connected  with  vesiculation,  and  in  inflammation  of  organs. 

Lardaceous  Degeneration. — This  type  of  degeneration  is  known  as 
amyloid,  albuminous,  or  waxy.  The  formation  of  the  material  from 
which  this  condition  derives  its  name  is  preceded  by  an  unknown 
type  of  degeneration  of  the  cells  of  the  part  affected.  The  degenera- 
tive processes  appear  to  be  the  result  of  long-continued  suppuration 
due  usually  to  tuberculous  disease.  In  the  connective  tissue  about 
the  degenerated  cells  (not  in  the  cells)  a  substance  akin  to  albumin 
is  deposited,  which  causes  swelling  and  a  pseudohypertrophy  of  the 
organ  affected.  The  substance  gives  a  reaction  with  iodin  resem- 
bling that  of  starch;  hence  the  name  amyloid  {amylum,  starch).  It 
may  affect  any  organ  of  the  body.  It  usually  appears  first  in  the 
6 


82 


DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 


connective  tissue  lying  between  the  inner  and  middle  coats  of  small 
arteries.  The  swelling  caused  by  the  infiltration  markedly  lessens 
the  caliber  of  the  vessels  and  diminishes  the  nutritive  supply  of  the 
parts  supplied  by  the  artery,  which  may  lead  to  fatty  degeneration 
and  atrophy  of  the  insufficiently  nourished  parts. 

Calcareous  Infiltration. — In  tissues  which  have  undergone  pre- 
vious degeneration,  calcium,  sodium,  or  magnesium  salts  may  be 
deposited  as  an  infiltration  from  the  blood  plasma.  The  parts  are 
thus  petrified.    The  cells  take  no  active  part  in  the  process.^ 


Fig.  50 


.^X^^^'^^Y, 


Calcareous  infiltration  of  renal  epithelia.    From  the  edge  of  an  old  infarct:  a  few  tubules  still 
to  be  recognized.      X  250.     (Schmaus  and  Ewing.) 


It  is  believed,  however,  that  the  deposit  of  salts  in  the  dying  tissue 
is  more  than  a  mere  precipitation,  and  that  calcification  results  from 
a  combination  of  the  salts  with  an  albuminous  base  and  with  fatty 
acids,  such  an  affinity  being  favored  by  the  degenerative  changes. 
Ordinarily,  the  carbonate  and  phosphate  of  calcium  are  the  infiltra- 
ting salts,  but  in  gout,  uric  acid  salts  are  deposited,  owing  to  an  excess 
of  uric  acid  in  the  form  of  biurates  and  quadurates  in  the  body  fluids. 
A  sluggish  circulation  in  the  part  favors  the  deposition  of  the  salts. 
The  calcification  may  occur  in  both  the  cells  and  in  the  intercellular 
substance.2  (See  Calcific  Degeneration  of  the  Pulp.)  In  the  early 
stages  the  salts  are  found  as  fine  granules  in  the  intercellular  sub- 
stance. 


1  Green:  Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. 


2  Ziegler:  General  Pathology. 


INFILTRATION— DEGENERATION  83 

"The  white,  fibrous  tissue  is  the  form  of  connective  tissue  usually 
affected,  but  concretions  may  occur  in  the  connective  tissue  sur- 
rounding the  bloodvessels."^ 

As  a  secondary  process  after  degeneration,  calcification  of  the 
middle  coats  of  the  arteries  may  occur,  rendering  them  inelastic. 
This  renders  them  incapable  of  regulating  the  blood  supply  to  parts, 
and  these  suffer  more  or  less  nutritive  disturbance,  and,  in  some  cases, 
actual  death  of  the  part  (gangrene).  Calculi  are  found  in  tumors  at 
times.  Many  forms  of  free  calculi  are  formed  in  the  body.  These 
occur  most  frequently  in  ducts  or  cavities  lined  with  epithelium, 
e.  g.,  the  salivary  ducts  and  the  bladder. 

"All  free  concretions  have  an  organic  basis  or  nucleus,"  with 
which  are  combined  the  calcium  salts,  oxalates,  cholesterin,  etc., 
making  up  the  inorganic  or  crystallizable  part  of  the  combination. 
The  organic  part  may  consist  of  inspissated  feces,  as  in  enteroliths, 
mucus,  or  mucin,  as  in  the  calculi  upon  the  teeth;  epithelial  scales, 
mucus,  etc.,  in  the  urinary  passages.^  The  fine  crystals  or  granules 
are  probably  soluble  in  some  cases.  The  larger  calculi  are  probably 
permanent  and  cause  degeneration  of  adjacent  tissue. 

Calcareous  infiltration  is  clearly  to  be  distinguished  from  the 
normal  calcification  of  the  hard  tissues,  bone,  enamel,  dentin,  and 
cementum.  These  are  composed  of  calcoglobulin,  in  which  calcium 
and  magnesium  salts  are  combined  under  the  superintendence  of 
certain  living  cells  with  albuminous  bases  derived  probably  from 
their  own  substance. 

Pigmentary  Infiltration.  (See  Tooth  Development.) — Pigmentary 
infiltration  is  the  infiltration  of  coloring  matter  into  the  tissues. 
There  are  four  varieties: 

1.  Extrinsic,  derived  from  outside  the  body,  e.  g.,  coal  dust 
in  lung  tissue  or  general  staining  from  silver  salts  taken  up  in  the 
intestines. 

2.  Hematogenous,  derived  from  hemoglobin  or  its  derivatives. 
They  are: 

(a)  Hemoglobin,  dark  red. 

(6)  Hemin,  reddish  brown  or  bluish  black. 

(c)  Methemoglobin,  brownish  red. 

(d)  Hematin,  dark  brown  or  bluish  black. 

(e)  Hematoidin,  orange  or  reddish  brown. 
(J)  Hemosiderin,  yellowish  or  brownish. 

These  are  decomposition  products  of  hemoglobin.  Hemoglobin 
and  hemosiderin  contain  iron. 

3.  Hepatogenous,  or  biliary. 

1  Ziegler:    General  Pathology.  ^  Ibid. 


84  DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

4.  Metabolic,  resulting  from  cellular  activity  within  the  body, 
and  termed  melanin. 

The  hematogenous  pigments  are  of  chief  interest,  inasmuch  as 
they  occur  in  the  staining  of  teeth  by  devitalized  pulps  and  sometimes 
by  living  pulps  in  a  state  of  venous  hyperemia.  In  these  discolora- 
tions  there  is  an  analogy  to  the  colors  manifested  in  an  old  bruise, 
which  undergo  various  color  changes  as  the  chemical  character  of 
the  pigment  is  altered.    (See  Moist  Gangrene  of  the  Pulp.) 


NECROSIS 

Necrosis  (from  nekros,  dead)  signifies,  in  its  broadest  sense,  death 
of  tissue.  It  is  due  to  profound  disturbance  of  its  nutritional  func- 
tion or  to  direct  injury  to  its  elements. 

Necrosis  proper  (per  se)  signifies  death  of  tissue  in  mass  from  any 
cause. 

Necrobiosis  means  the  death  of  cells  through  the  process  of 
atrophy  or  degeneration,  which  are  successive  changes  leading  to 
death. 

Necrosis  of  bone  signifies  the  circumvallation  and  death  of  bone 
through  the  process  of  inflammation,  which  causes  thrombosis  of 
its  vessels  and  cessation  of  its  nutrition.  The  dead  part,  when 
separated,  is  called  a  sequestrum.  The  solution  of  continuity  is 
effected  by  leukocytes  massed  about  the  portion  in  which  nutrition 
has  ceased. 

Caries  of  bone  is  that  form  of  bone  death  in  which  the  bone  is 
honeycombed  and  molecularly  broken  down  rather  than  seques- 
trated.    (See  Osteoporosis.) 

Gangrene  is  a  term  used  to  signify  death,  en  masse,  of  a  part, 
the  soft  parts  being  included.  The  dead  part  undergoes  drying 
(dry  gangrene)  or  putrefactive  softening  (moist  gangrene).  (See 
Gangrene.) 

Etiology. — The  causes  of  necrosis  are  as  follows: 

1.  Circulatory  obstructions,  as  (a)  stoppage  of  an  artery  supplying 
a  part,  the  nutritive  supply  being  cut  off  by  any  cause;  (6)  venous 
hyperemia  of  a  part,  the  vein  being  unable  to  carry  off  the  blood 
charged  with  cellular  waste,  which  accumulates  about  the  cells, 
intoxicates  them,  and  prevents  access  of  fresh  blood  (food  supply); 
(c)  occlusion  of  the  capillaries  by  any  cause  has  a  similar  efi^ect. 
Inflammation  may  be  placed  in  this  general  class  of  causes. 

2.  Troxjhic  Disturbances. — The  nerves  controlling  the  metabolism 
of   a  part   being  diseased,   the  part  undergoes   degeneration   and 


NECROSIS  85 

slight  causes  produce  necrosis,  e.  g.,  necrosis  of  eyeball  when  ex- 
cision of  the  Gasserian  ganglion  has  been  practised. 

3.  Direct  destruction  of  the  vital  activities  of  cells  by  any  physical 
or  mechanical  agents,  or  chemical  substances,  including  among  the 
latter  the  poisonous  substances  produced  through  the  action  of 
bacteria  (see  Fig.  77). 

Injuries,  blows,  the  tension  of  exudate,  pressure,  excessive  heat 
or  cold,  the  passage  of  powerful  electric  currents,  and  the  x-rays 
are  all  influences  which  directly  injure  or  permanently  destroy 
vital  activities  of  cells.  The  application  of  chemical  agents  which  so 
act  upon  cell  substance  as  to  change  its  character  produces  necrosis. 

While  this  is  particularly  true  of  such  substances  as  powerful 
acids  and  alkalies,  or  alkaloids,  which  immediately  destroy  cell 
integrity,  it  is  also  true  of  milder  agents  acting  for  longer  periods. 
Certain  poisons,  particularly  those  of  bacterial  origin,  paralyze  the 
vital  activities  of  cells,  and  necrosis  results. 

The  occurrence  or  non-occurrence  of  or  the  liability  to  necrosis 
will  largely  depend  upon  the  degree  of  vital  energy  of  cells  prior  to 
the  action  of  the  active  causes  of  necrosis.  Parts  debilitated  from 
any  cause  are  more  liable  to  necrosis  than  those  which  have  suffered 
no  debility.  A  part  chronically  ill-nourished,  subjected  to  the  causes 
producing  degenerations,  is  liable  to  sufter  necrotic  changes,  for  the 
several  degenerations  and  atrophy  are  but  successive  stages  leading 
to  necrosis. 

A  necrosed  part  acts  as  an  irritant  to  the  tissues  about  it,  inaugu- 
rating an  inflammatory  reaction  which  marks  off  the  dead  from 
the  living  parts.  The  dead  part  is  sequestered,  and  hence  is  called 
a  sequestrum,  or,  in  case  of  soft  parts,  a  "slough,"  or  sphacelus. 

Necrosis  may  be  of  several  types,  of  which  the  following  are  the 
chief  forms: 

Coagulation  Necrosis. — When  a  dying  tissue  contains  coagulable 
material  and  the  necessary  ferments,  the  parts  undergo  coagulation. 
(See  Coagulation.)  The  cells  and  parts  about  become  solidified,  the 
cells  lose  their  nuclei  and  do  not  stain  as  usual,  and  the  part  appears 
glazed,  pale,  and  waxy.  It  occurs  in  suppuration,  and  is  due  to  the 
coagulating  ferments  of  pyogenic  cocci.  (See  Bacterial  Ferments.) 
(See  Fig.  63.) 

The  thrombosis  of  the  vessels  about  an  urea  of  infective  inflam- 
mation is  probably  due  to  the  same  ferments. 

Fat  Necrosis. — This  is  a  peculiar  form  of  fat  death  in  wdiich  the  fat 
is  split  into  glycerin  and  fatty  acid  by  lipase  (a  ferment).  The  fatty 
acid  remains  and  combines  with  inorganic  salts. 


86  •         DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

Liquefaction  Necrosis. — ^This  is  the  death  of  tissue  with  Hquef action 
of  the  proteid  material  in  the  area,  which  is  usually  rich  in  exudates. 
The  process  is  probably  due  to  enzymes  capable  of  liquefying  the 
tissue. 

GANGRENE 

When  death,  en  masse,  of  a  part  occurs  as  the  result  of  an  inter- 
ference with  its  nutritive  supply,  the  process  is  termed  gangrene. 

Causes. — It  may  occur  as  the  result  of  an  inflammation  produced 
by  a  particular  bacterium,  as  in  noma  or  malignant  edema;  from 
arterial  obstruction,  as  arterial  thrombosis;  or  capillary  obstruction, 
as  in  freezing  or  venous  obstruction,  may  produce  it.  (See  Venous 
Hyperemia  of  the  Pulp.)  Ergot  may  produce  it  through  contraction 
of  the  bloodvessels. 

Dry  Gangrene. — In  parts  which  ordinarily  contain  but  little 
fluid  the  obstruction  of  the  artery  may  be  associated  with  but  little 
obstruction  of  the  veins  and  lymphatics.  Under  such  circumstances 
the  dead  part  is  drained  of  the  little  fluid  it  contains,  and  a  fresh 
access  of  fluid  is  prevented.  Exposure  to  the  air  aids  a  further  loss 
of  moisture  by  evaporation.  The  conditions  are  not  favorable  to 
the  development  of  microorganisms,  and  the  part  changes  from  a  pale 
appearance  to  a  dark,  shrunken  one.  The  process  of  gradual  drying 
is  also  called  mummification.  (See  Dry  Gangrene  of  the  Pulp.) 
It  is  usually  circumscribed. 

Moist  Gangrene. — Under  opposite  conditions — i.  e.,  a  venous 
obstruction  with  a  fair  arterial  supply  —  there  is  much  venous 
engorgement  and  extravasation  of  blood  into  the  tissues,  which  are 
stained  red  by  the  hemoglobin  from  disintegrated  red  corpuscles. 
Abundant  effusions  also  cause  the  part  to  be  swollen.  Death  of 
tissue  occurs  from  interference  with  nutrition;  when  bacteria  are  the 
direct  cause,  the  part  is  inflamed  and  edematous.  The  moisture 
present  favors  the  development  of  bacteria,  and  they  enter  the  tissue 
through  the  skin.  Putrefaction  with  the  evolution  of  malodorous 
gases,  such  as  hydrogen  sulphid  (H2S),  hydrogen  phosphid  (HP3), 
and  ammonium  sulphid  (NH4)2S,  causes  the  part  to  have  an  offensive 
odor. 

If  the  gangrene  be  due  to  infective  inflammation,  or  the  surrounding 
tissue  be  debilitated  from  any  cause,  the  area  of  gangrene  may  spread 
— i.  e.,  invade  the  living  tissue  (spreading  gangrene).  This  is  prob- 
ably due  to  the  presence  of  bacteria,  which  irritate  and  progressively 
destroy  the  surrounding  tissue.  The  poisons  produced,  if  absorbed, 
may  cause  death.     If  the  adjacent  tissue  be  healthy  and  resistant, 


GENERAL  MALNUTRITION  87 

a  line  of  demarcation  is  established,  consisting  of  leukocytes,  which 
dissolve  all  fibers  or  firm  connections  between  the  dead  and  li\ing 
parts.  Suppuration  occurs  at  the  line,  and  the  dead  portion  is 
separated  as  a  sphacelus  or  slough.  Occurring  in  bone,  this  is  called 
a  sequestrum.  Occasionally  the  part  being  internal  is  encysted  and 
the  contents  may  be  absorbed  and  the  sac  calcified.^  An  ulcerated 
surface  is  left.  The  latter  form  is  circumscribed  gangrene.  If  gan- 
grene be  deep-seated  and  septic,  suppuration  occurs,  which  estab- 
lishes one  or  more  fistulse  upon  the  surface  of  the  body  or  in  one  of 

Fig  51 


Senile  gangrene  of  the  great  toe,  from  a  case  of  arterial  thrombosis.  The  toe  is  shrunken  and 
its  epidermis  is  being  exfoliated.  At  the  line  of  demarcation  the  skin  has  retracted  (a)  and  the 
deeper  parts  are  separating  (6).     (Green.) 

its  cavities.  (See  ^Nloist  Gangrene  of  the  Pulp.)  A  sequestrum  may 
be  cast  out  through  one  of  these.  In  the  aged'  atheromatous  or  cal- 
careous changes  in  the  arteries  produce  a  slow  circulation  in  the 
extremities.  A  slight  injury  to  a  vessel  wall  may  induce  extensive 
thrombosis  (which  see).  The  result  is  gangrene  of  a  part  or  all  of 
an  extremity,  known  as  senile  gangrene  (Fig.  51). 


GENERAL  MALNUTRITION 

By  the  term  malnutrition  is  meant  a  more  or  less  general  dis- 
turbance of  the  metabolic  processes  of  the  cells  of  the  body,  which 
may  simply  lower  the  body  resistance  or  health  standard,  or  may  be 
of  such  profound  character  as  to  incapacitate  an  individual  for 
ordinary  functions. 

1  Stengel :  A  Text-book  of  Pathology. 


88  DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

If  imperfect  digestion,  assimilation,  or  elaboration  of  food  materials 
or  its  circulation,  or  an  imperfect  relation  between  the  amount  of 
oxygen  and  food  material  at  the  cell  exist,  or  if  a  great  excess  of  food 
material  be  assimilated  which  cells  cannot  appropriate,  and  the 
excess  acts  as  material  to  be  gotten  rid  of,  or  if  the  food  taken  be 
of  an  irritating  nature,  or  if  such  material  as  retained  body  waste 
products,  toxins  derived  from  foci  of  infection,  or  from  alimentary 
canal,  or  drugs  absorbed  are  presented  to  the  cells  in  excess,  or  if 
the  drain  upon  the  body  cells  reduce  the  amount  of  cell  protoplasm, 
and  the  replacement  of  the  cell  constituents  is  not  rapid  enough 
to  restore  the  protoplasm  wasted  in  energy,  it  is  plain  that  a  general 
disturbance  of  body  cells  may  result,  and  the  altered  metabolism 
in  turn  furnishes  its  share  of  irritating,  unfinished  catabolic  products 
to  further  increase  the  general  disturbance  through  the  production 
of  a  pathological  condition  of  the  blood  (a  humoral  condition, 
Michaels).  The  gradual  action  of  one  or  other  of  these  classes  of 
causes,  acting  either  by  starving  the  cells  or  by  irritating  them 
(auto-intoxication),  produces  a  condition  with  tendency  to  diseases 
of  certain  type,  and  the  tendency  is  called  diathesis  (acquired). 

According  to  Michaels,^  following  Gautrelet,  the  abnormal  vital 
processes  tend  in  mankind  to  pathological  conditions,  which  we 
may  classify  under  two  humoral  conditions  (or  diatheses),  viz., 
hypoacidity  and  hyperacidity.  The  first  state  ("  lymphatism")  is 
the  expression  of  a  vital  overactivity,  and  has,  as  consequences,  the 
contagious  diatheses  (scrofula,  tuberculosis,  syphilis) .  The  oxidations 
are  overactive,  and  the  hydrations  are  superior  to  the  normal,  hence 
there  is  a  decrease  in  organic  acidity  and  an  increase  of  saline 
chlorides  excreted  by  the  economy.  Hypo-acidity  favors  chemical 
changes  in  the  tissues.  (Ducleaux.)  In  the  hypo-acid  diathesis  all 
the  oxidations  are  exaggerated,  and  are  above  the  normal. 

"In  the  hyperacid  diathesis  (arthritism),  gout,  rheumatism, 
sclerosis,  oxidation  is  insufficient;  there  is  incomplete  oxidation 
with  a  consequent  increase  of  organic  acidity  or  hyperacidity,  and 
a  peculiar  state  of  the  organism  characterized  in  a  general  way  by 
a  slowness  in  the  biochemical  changes.  The  reaction  of  the  blood 
with  the  ordinary  reagents  (litmus,  for  example)  is  normally  alka- 
line, but  if  we  study  the  distribution  of  the  acids  and  bases  of  the 
blood  plasma  we  see  that  the  reaction  is  really  acid  (Gautrelet, 
Drouin,  and  Hugeounenq),  and  thus  acidity  is  increased  and  the  blood 
may  become  relatively  acid  by  the  accumulation  of  acid-waste 
products  which  are  not  eliminated,  the  secretions  and  excretions 

■  Sialosemeiology,  Proceedings  Third  International  Dental  Congress,  1900. 


GENERAL  MALNUTRITION  89 

becoming  then  of  acid  reaction.  It  is  on  this  account  that  a  certain 
number  of  chronic  diseases  have  constant  characteristics  in  regard 
to  semeiology;  increase  of  the  normal  acidity  of  the  urine,  as  well 
as  the  increase  in  the  normal  acidity  of  the  saliva."  Following 
Gautrelet,  he  gives  four  effects  of  the  exaggerated  and  retrograde 
processes  that  diathesis  produces:  (1)  A  chemical  modification  of 
the  plasma;  (2)  modifications  affecting  the  chemistry  of  secretions 
and  excretions  (as  detailed  above);  (3)  histological  modifications  in 
the  tissues;  (4)  modifications  due  to  the  creation  of  a  special  field 
for  microorganisms.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  above  effect  begins 
with  a  change  in  the  blood  or  its  contents,  which  successively  acts 
upon  glandular  and  other  cell  physiology  and  later  alters  their 
histology,  and  in  total  may  bring  about  a  predisposition  to  bacterial 
invasion  through  the  loss  of  vital  potential  or  resistance.  The 
hyperacid  diathesis  may  be  inherited  or  acquired  by  individuals 
who  take  a  liberal  supply  of  food  requiring  oxidation  and  take 
insufficient  exercise  in  the  open  air,  while  in  the  hypo-acid  the 
oxidation  is  superior  to  normal. 

These  diatheses  are  the  forerunners  of  many  of  the  diseases  of 
malnutrition,  and  evidence  of  approaching  disease  may  be  obtained 
from  both  saliva  and  urine  by  analysis  of  their  contents  through 
physical,  chemical,  and  micropolariscopic  examination  of  either  or 
both  fluids.  The  contents  of  each  fluid  being  taken  out  of  the 
blood  through  glandular  activity  represent  fairly  the  faulty  elements. 
The  presence  of  altered  physical  characteristics  when  fresh  or  upon 
standing,  of  unusual  chemical  substances  determinable  either  by  the 
aid  of  reagents  or  microscopic  or  micropolariscopic  examination, 
leads  to  the  inference  that  unusual  chemical  changes  have  occurred 
in  the  cells,  or  that  the  waste  products  found  represent  an  undue 
waste  of  tissue,  or  that  cell  waste  has  been  altered  after  leaving  cells 
or  not  sufficiently  changed  into  the  normal  waste  products. 

In  the  accentuated  disease  condition  one  or  more  organs,  as  the 
liver  and  kidney,  may  be  diseased,  and  it  may  be  a  nice  point  to 
determine  whether  the  disease  begins  with  the  liver  and  proceeds 
to  the  diathesis,  or  with  the  diathetic  condition  or  its  cause  and 
proceeds  to  disturb  the  liver.  At  the  same  time  the  same  course 
might  act  upon  both;  for  example,  overfeeding  with  food  requiring 
oxidation,  and  this  not  supplied  by  exercise,  could  induce  a  dis- 
turbance of  the  function  of  liver  cells  quite  as  readily  as  of  any  other 
body  cells. 

According  to  Kirk,^  the  disproportion  between  pabulum  and  oxygen 
resulting  in  hyperacidosis  produces  a  greater  ratio  of  carbon  dioxid 

'  Dental  Review,  1903. 


90  .     DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

to  oxygen  in  the  blood  than  is  normal.  Temporarily  this  would  be 
corrected  by  the  action  of  the  renal  epithelium  in  which  a  reaction 
occurs  between  the  carbonic  acid  of  the  blood  and  the  basic  phos- 
phates, as  follows:  HNaaPo^-f-  HjCog  =  H2NaPo4+  HNaCog.  The 
sodium  bicarbonate  formed  is  returned  to  the  blood,  maintaining  its 
alkalinity,  and  the  acid  sodium  phosphate  is  eliminated  as  the  normal 
acid  salt  of  the  urine.  In  the  same  way  acid  calcium  phosphate  is 
formed. 

When  the  disproportion  between  pabulum  and  oxygen  are  con- 
tinued, the  suboxidation  becomes  chronic,  the  kidney  is  no  longer 
sufficient  to  maintain  alkalescence  of  the  blood  by  eliminating 
the  excess  of  acidity  as  acid  phosphate,  the  carbonic  acid  seeks 
other  channels  of  elimination,  and  the  epithelium  of  the  buccal 
glands  and  sweat  glands  may  take  up  the  action  normal  to  the 
kidney  and  excrete  acid  sodium  phosphate  and  acid  calcium  phos- 
phate, producing  in  the  case  of  the  buccal  glands  a  certain  class  of 
erosion  of  the  teeth,  and  in  the  case  of  the  sweat  glands  frequently 
giving  rise  to  eczematous  eruptions.  Dental  caries  is  not  ordinarily 
induced  in  this  stage,  but  if  begun  the  carious  matter  is  changed 
to  a  dark  brown  color,  crumbly,  semihard  texture,  and  the  further 
process  is  one  of  decalcification  rather  than  a  true  carious  process. 

"The  continued  suboxidation  and  hyperacidosis  by  carbonic 
acid  thus  leads  to  the  great  loss  of  basic  phosphates  as.  acid  phos- 
phates, which  are  more  readily  soluble  and  osmosed  through  kidney 
epithelium  than  basic  phosphates,  and  for  that  reason  are  rapidly 
eliminated,  thus  establishing  a  phosphaturia,  with  consequent 
phosphatic  starvation  and  ill  health,  as  shown  by  neurasthenia, 
with  its  irritability,  despondency,  migraine,  cerebral  hyperemia,  or 
hysterical  phenomena.  A  point  of  depletion  is  reached  and  they 
are  found  only  in  minute  quantity  in  the  urine  and  saliva.  At  about 
this  time  lactates  of  sodium,  calcium,  and  magnesium,  in  the  order 
named,  appear  in  the  saliva,  then  double  lactates  of  sodium  and 
calcium,  then  lactophosphates  of  calcium  and  magnesium,  then 
oxalate  of  sodium  or  double  oxalate  of  sodium  and  calcium,  while 
oxalate  of  magnesium  may  appear  in  the  urine.  With  the  appearance 
of  the  lactophosphate  a  general  rather  than  a  localized  erosion 
appears.  (See  Erosion.)  The  nervous  irritability  is  markedly 
increased,  and  a  rapid  loss  of  weight  occurs.  Later,  acetone  and 
diacetic  acid  appear  in  the  secretion  along  with  creatin,  and  in  some 
cases  cystin,  at  which  period  profound  mental  torpor,  at  times 
almost  amounting  to  coma,  is  not  infrequently  manifested,  or  there 
may  be  extreme  nervous  irritability  amounting  almost  to  hysterical 
mania. 


GENERAL  MALNUTRITION  91 

"  Coincident  with  the  loss  of  the  phosphates,  nitrogen  with  carbon 
as  a  cyanogen  radial  (ammonium  cyanate),  which  probably  should 
have  gone  to  form  urea,  is  lost.  Evidences  of  imperfect  oxidation 
of  proteids  are  manifested  in  the  saliva  and  urine  by  the  presence  of 
lactate  of  ammonia  (a  forerunner  of  urea),  lactate  of  calcium,  creatin, 
acetone,  and  oxalates,  with  increase  of  urate  of  ammonia  and  amor- 
phous urates.  The  urine  often  contains  indican,  especially  in  cases 
complicated  with  disordered  liver  and  habitual  constipation.  The 
saliva  is  usually  constantly  acid,  due  to  the  presence  of  acid  phos- 
phates, and  the  dental  lesions  are  ordinarily  erosion,  or,  where  the 
acidity  is  absent,  pyorrheal  invasion  of  the  peridental  membranes. 
Many  of  these  cases  develop  epithelioma  or  leukoplakia  buccalis, 
or  both  together,  and  in  view  of  the  fact  that  there  is  constant  irri- 
tation of  epithelium  by  the  exudates,  they  may  have  an  etiological 
relation."     (Free  quotation,  Editor.) 

The  diet  indicated  by  Kirk  for  these  cases  would  apply  to  those 
diseases  and  cases  of  pyorrhea  in  which  the  predisposition  is  due  to 
this  diathetic  fault,  and  consists  in  reducing  the  necessity  for  oxygen 
by  largely  eliminating  the  carbohydrate  portion  of  the  diet.  Suc- 
culent vegetables,  gluten  bread,  milk,  albumin,  and  a  moderate 
ration  of  proteids  in  the  shape  of  fish,  oysters,  game,  light  meat  of 
fowls,  are  allowed.  Small  doses  of  phosphorus,  or  of  arsenic  iodide, 
and  glycerophosphates  of  lime  and  soda  are  continuously  adminis- 
tered. The  exercise  and  rest  are  adjusted,  and  attention  is  given  to 
general  hygiene. 

"Michaels  has  found  the  saliva  of  but  few  individuals  to  be  in 
a  perfectly  normal  condition  and  the  teeth  perfect,  while  most  of 
them  are  out  of  equilibrium  and  the  teeth  are  affected  either  by 
caries  or  erosion  or  pyorrhea  alveolaris.  He  states  that  lesions  of  the 
liver  and  kidneys  cause  the  appearance  of  acid  waste,  also  that 
the  organism  constantly  produces  acids,  such  as  uric,  oxalic,  lactic, 
volatile  fatty  acid,  etc.,  which,  under  normal  conditions,  are  also 
destroyed,  but  that  abnormal  conditions  arise  which  retard  the 
oxidations  of  these  organic  acids,  which  must  then  accumulate  in 
the  organism  among  the  waste  products  arising  from  incomplete 
dissimilation;  many  have  acid  properties. 

"The  serum  of  venous  blood,  while  weakly  alkaline,  has  a  real 
acidity  (acid  elements)  stronger  than  that  of  arterial  blood.  Fever 
is  accompanied  by  an  acidity  of  the  blood,  as  in  diabetes  (/?-oxy- 
butyric  acid),  rheumatism,  arthritism  (gout).  The  alkalinity  is 
reduced  (real  acidity  increased)  in  anemia,  leukemia,  and  all 
cachexias. 

"He  regards  the  liver  as  determining  the  majority  of  nutritive 


92  DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

changes,  and  that  it  suffers  from  the  influence  of  all  sorts  of  toxins, 
whether  the  result  of  microbic  activity  or  due  to  an  excess  of  alkaloids 
(leukomains) .  The  cells  of  diathetic  individuals  constantly  elabo- 
rate products,  some  of  which  are  positively  poisonous  to  the  hepatic 
gland.  The  acid  salts  and  biliary  pigments  are  toxic.  Their  absorp- 
tion is  deleterious  and  the  inactivity  of  the  hepatic  cells  creates  a 
danger  to  the  organism.  The  danger  arises  from  the  fact  that  the 
liver  has  to  eliminate  from  the  circulation  all  kinds  of  debris.  If 
the  neutralization  of  the  products  of  fermentation  is  incomplete; 
if  the  harmful  ammoniacal  compounds  have  not  been  changed 
into  urea;  if  the  liver  does  not  have  a  reserve  of  glycogen,  or  if  its 
generators,  which  are  supposed  to  play  a  role  in  the  metamorphosis 
of  alkaloids,  if  through  its  inactivity  there  is  a  retention  of  waste 
products,  the  secretions  are  necessarily  contaminated  with  the  morbid 
principles;  the  toxic  products  present  in  the  blood  poisons  the 
organism  and  constitutes  the  different  diatheses  (auto-intoxication)." 

This  conception  includes  the  views  of  physiologists  that  the  liver 
is  both  a  secreting,  excreting,  and  food  elaborating  organ.  He  argues 
that  if  the  bacterial  fermentations,  by  their  presence  or  by  the  pres- 
ence of  their  toxins,  are  capable  of  modifying  the  enzymic  secretions, 
they  necessarily  influence  the  action  of  the  physiological  fermenta- 
tions. It  follows  from  this  that  these  toxic  principles  saturate, 
in  a  given  period  of  time,  the  organic  secretions  and  produce  a 
cacochymic  state  (morbid  state  of  the  body  fluids) . 

Michaels  has  found  in  the  saliva  of  hypo-acid  individuals  glycogen, 
albumin,  perhaps  inosite,  mucin,  basic  chlorides  with  ammonia  in 
greater  quantities  than  normally,  sulphocyanides  and  biliary  acid 
in  less  proportion  than  normally,  and  concludes  that  it  is  an  ideal 
medium  for  the  development  of  microbic  contagion.  He  has  found 
glycogen  in  the  saliva  of  adolescents  generally,  and  susceptible  of 
reduction  and  fermentation  under  the  influence  of  ptyalin  in  the 
presence  of  earthy  salts,  a  fact  emphasized  by  Kirk  with  a  view  to 
its  establishment  as  a  prominent  factor  in  susceptibility  to  caries 
(which  see).  In  the  saliva  of  hyperacids  he  found  sulphocyanides 
and  mineral  and  organic  acids,  acid  phosphates  of  sodium  and  potas- 
sium, ammoniacal  oxalates,  biliarj^  elements,  and  urobilin  in  greater 
proportions  than  normally. 

The  increased  importance  of  the  consideration  of  metabolic 
diseases  in  their  relation  to  dental  diseases  by  the  dentist  warrants 
the  introduction  of  a  brief  summary. 

Inanition. — This  is  ultimately  tissue  starvation,  whether  due  to 
any  of  the  following  causes: 

1.  Want  of  proper  amount  of  food. 


GENERAL  MALNUTRITION  93 

2.  Gastric  diseases  interfering  with  digestion  by  altering  the 
quaUty  or  quantity  of  hydrochloric  acid  or  pepsin. 

3.  Disease  of  the  liver,  etc. 

4.  Abnormal  intestinal  digestion. 

5.  Occlusion  of  the  sorbefacients  by  retained  excrementitious 
matter  or  other  local  disease. 

Effects. — The  tissues  are  not  properly  supplied  with  food  to 
maintain  themselves,  and  waste  exceeds  repair;  the  unimportant 
parts  are  first  consumed  and  make  good  the  deficiency.  The  surplus 
food  materials,  first  the  fats,  are  first  consumed,  then  the  carbo- 
hydrates, next  the  nitrogenous  tissues,  first  muscles  and  glandular 
organs,  and  lastly,  the  osseous  and  nervous  tissues. 

This  is  general  atrophy  necessarily  accompanied  by  degeneration. 
There  is  loss  of  energy  and  temperature,  and  the  vital  organs  are 
weak;  death  occurs  from  exhaustion. 

Overfeeding. — The  excessive  use  of  proteids  in  food  leads  to  a 
necessity  for  elimination  from  the  blood  of  the  excess  absorbed,  and 
to  intestinal  fermentation  of  the  unabsorbed  excess.  The  proteid 
food  maintains  the  proteid  equilibrium,  and  any  more  than  is 
required  for  this  is  in  excess. 

Energy  is  largely  supplied  by  the  carbohydrates  (eventually 
glucose)  and  the  fats.  An  excess  of  these  leads  to  the  storing  of  fat 
to  a  degree  normal  and  useful  as  a  reserve,  but  in  combination  with 
a  sedentary  mode  of  life,  pathological  fat  or  obesity,  in  which 
oxidation  is  reduced.  A  tendency  to  fat  production  exists  in  in- 
dividuals. 

Excessive  Tissue  Destruction. — The  tissues  may  be  excessively 
wasted  by  many  causes,  and  in  many  cases  the  food  supply  is  defi- 
cient as  well.    These  causes  are,  briefly: 

1.  Fevers. 

2.  Continuous  hemorrhage. 

3.  Long-continued  suppuration. 

4.  Tumors,  especially  carcinoma. 

5.  Chronic  infectious  diseases,  as  tuberculosis. 

The  increased  waste  is  due  either  to  increased  oxidation  of  the 
proteid  elements,  due  to  stimulation  of  nervous  centres  controlling 
catabolism,  or  to  the  ferment  contained  in  the  toxic  substances 
produced  and  entering  the  blood,  which  may  cause  cellular  waste 
in  the  effort  to  produce  antitoxins  (see  Ehrlich's  Side-chain  Theory), 
while  at  the  same  time  normal  food  appropriation  is  interfered  with 
if  the  amount  of  food  supplied  is  not  indeed  lessened,  as  in  continuous 
hemorrhages. 


94  DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

Intoxications. — These  may  be  divided  into  extrinsic  and  intrinsic 
intoxications.    The  principal  classes  are: 

1.  Intestinal  Intoxications. — In  intestinal  putrefaction,  particularly 
in  constipation,  the  aromatic  products,  acetone,  tyrosin,  indol, 
skatol,  phenol,  cresol,  and  paracresol,  may  be  absorbed  and  produce 
a  form  of  intoxication  of  tissue  cells  which  lowers  the  vital  potential 
of  all  cells  and  the  resistive  force  of  tissues  to  bacterial  infection. 
In  intestinal  putrefaction  in  children  a  marked  readiness  of  the 
muscular  system  to  fatigue  has  been  noted,  also  in  cases  of  persons 
who  have  suffered  from  indicanuria  for  a  long  time,  showing  a  mark- 
edly poisonous  effect  upon  muscle  and  probably  upon  other  tissue. 

The  absorption  of  indol  and  its  modijfication  in  the  liver  leads 
to  its  appearance  in  the  urine  as  indican,  or  indoxylsulphate  of 
potassium/  which,  therefore,  indicates  an  abnormal  intestinal  putre- 
faction with  absorption  of  deleterious  products.^ 

That  indican  in  the  urine  is  caused  by  abnormal  tissue  metab- 
olism is  not  well  supported  by  evidence.^ 

It  is  found  in  carcinoma  and  chronic  peritonitis.  It  is  generally 
present  when  suppurations  are  in  progress;  probably  indol  is  ab- 
sorbed from  the  focus  of  putrefaction.  The  ingestion  of  pus  from 
pyorrheal  pockets  in  the  mouth  may  easily  lead  and  has  led  to  chronic 
gastritis  and  intestinal  putrefaction,  in  which  latter  Bacillus  coli 
communis  plays  an  important,  assistant  part.  The  liver  may  be 
disordered  primarily,  thus  favoring  the  condition  owing  to  lessened 
formation  of  bile,  or,  secondarily,  owing  to  its  increased  function 
as  a  poison  destroyer.  The  intestinal  putrefaction  causes  the  forma- 
tion of  indol,  etc.,  thus  leading  to  the  presence  of  indican  in  the 
urine.  The  excessive  use  of  proteid  food  not  only  overloads  the 
intestine,  but  invites  putrefaction  therein;  also,  the  amount  absorbed 
being  excessive,  the  eliminative  functions  are  overtaxed,  leading 
to  disease. 

2.  Drug  Intoxication.^ — The  use  of  arsenic,  phosphorus,  or  other 
inorganic  poisons,  or  the  vegetable  alkaloids,  as  morphin,  cocain, 
atropin,  etc.,  or  the  continued  contact  with  lead  salts,  all  un- 
doubtedly affect  metabolism  ^ — some  beneficially  —  when  employed 
in  suitable  doses  in  diseased  conditions,  or  injuriously  in  continued 
excessive  use.  Thus  atropin  in  small  doses  checks  secretion — e.  g.,  of 
the  salivary  and  mammary  glands.  Phosphorus  continued  produces 
fatty  degeneration. 

1  Thompson's  Practical  Medicine. 

2  Test  for  indican:    Add  nitric  acid  to  urine — shake  with  chloroform — -a  bluish  color  is  imparted 
to  the  chloroform  on  standing. 

'  Leathes:  Problems  in  Animal  Metabolism. 


GENERAL  MALNUTRITION  95 

3.  Bacterial  Intoxication.^ — The  toxic  products  of  bacterial  action 
(apart  from  the  aromatic  products),  as  the  ptomaines  and  albumoses 
(toxins),  act  as  ferments  upon  proteid  tissue,  causing  cellular  waste 
either  by  ferment  action  (destruction)  or  by  stimulation  of  the  cells, 
either  directly  or  through  the  nervous  system,  leads  to  the  produc- 
tion of  antitoxic  substances  in  excess,  which  by  Ehrlich  are  claimed 
to  be  discharged  into  the  blood.  No  doubt  the  cell  is  also  rendered 
less  capable  of  anabolism.  (See  Side-chain  Theory.)  This  is  seen 
in  fevers  in  which  emaciation  (excessive  waste)  is  proved  by  the 
increased  output  of  urea. 

Intrinsic  Intoxication. — In  this  class  may  be  placed  all  intoxications 
produced  by  substances  originating  in  excess  within  the  body  proper 
as  a  result  of  metabolic  disturbance,  resulting  from  disease  of  the 
nervous  centres  controlling  metabolism  or  of  organs  which  fail  to 
perform  their  duty  of  elaboration  for  metabolism  or  elimination  or 
elimination  proper,  in  part  or  entirely.  In  some  cases  compensatory 
elimination  by  other  organs  occurs,  which  may  be  effectual  or  may 
lead  to  disease  of  said  organ  or  organs.  A  good  example  of  com- 
pensatory elimination  is  seen  in  health  during  sudden  changes  of 
atmospheric  temperature.  Thus  on  the  w^arm  days  perspiration  is 
free  and  elimination  by  the  urine  lessened ;  the  avenue  of  elimination 
is  largely  reversed  on  the  cold  days.  These  intoxications  may  also 
be  classed: 

Uremia. — In  this  there  is  a  retention  of  urea  (as  ammonium 
carbonate  or  its  congeners)  in  the  system  which  should  be  eliminated 
in  the  urine.  The  body  cells  are  chronically  or  acutely  poisoned, 
according  to  the  degree  of  the  retention,  death  resulting  in  the 
complete  form.    Nephritis  is  a  common  cause. 

Diabetes  Mellitus. — In  this  disease  probably  the  essential  lesion 
is  a  hyalin  degeneration  of  the  islands  of  Langerhans,  of  the  pan- 
creas, or  injury  to  the  floor  of  the  fourth  ventricle  of  the  brain 
(diabetic  centre),  which  may  be  caused  by  even  strong  mental 
emotion,  as  grief. 

Carbohydrate  assimilation  is  interfered  with,  an  increased  amount 
of  sugar  appears  in  the  blood  and  urine  (in  the  urine  termed  glyco- 
suria) ,  and  the  cells  are  unable  to  appropriate  it.  Proteid  destruction 
with  increased  production  of  urea  occurs  (excessive  waste). ^  An 
excess  of  phosphoric  and  sulphuric  acids,  ^^-oxybutyric  and  diacetic 
acids  are  formed  or  retained,  and  hyperacidosis  results. 

The  sugar  in  diabetes  is  probably  first  formed  from  carbohydrates, 
later  from  proteids,  the  carbohydrate  radicals  being  probably  dis- 
sociated in  the  proteid  disruption. 

1  Stengel:  A  Text-book  of  Pathology. 


96  DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

Therefore,  patients  who  form  sugar  after  the  elimination  of  sugar 
from  the  diet  furnish  a  grave  prognosis.  The  chief  aim  in  the  treat- 
ment is  the  almost  entire  elimination  of  carbohydrate  food  or  proteid 
food  containing  glycogen.^  All  cells  have  a  lessened  resistance  to 
bacteria,  as  shown  by  an  increased  tendency  to  pneumonia  and 
tuberculosis,^  and  a  similar  predisposition  to  pyorrhea  alveolaris  is 
probable. 

Symptoms. — Great  thirst;  frequent  micturition  (polyuria);  in- 
creased amount  of  urine  and  the  excess  of  sugar  in  it;  indicated  by 
high  specific  gravity  and  analysis;  excessive  appetite;  emaciation; 
dyspeptic  symptoms;  hypochondriasis;  insomnia;  skin  diseases,  as 
furunculosis,  are  common.  The  glycosuria  in  diabetes  mellitus 
may  account  for  the  cervical  caries  seen  in  diabetics  by  introducing 
a  factor  in  lactic  acid  fermentation,  viz.,  glycogen  (starch).  (See 
p.  79.) 

Peculiar  Intrinsic  Intoxications. — Without  question,  intense  emotion 
results  in  the  production  of  intrinsic  intoxicants  having  some  influ- 
ence upon  metabolism.  A  most  notable  example  is  the  classic  one  of 
a  mother,  who,  shortly  after  intense  rage  at  an  insult,  nursed  her 
child,  with  fatal  result  to  it.  In  another  case  a  child  was  poisoned  by 
the  milk  of  a  wet-nurse  who  spent  a  night  in  debauchery.  (J.  Lewis 
Smith.)  The  causes  were  of  slightly  different  classes,  the  modus 
operandi  much  the  same.  Intense  anxiety  also  has  a  disturbing 
influence.  The  nervous  influence  no  doubt  alters  metabolism,  and  the 
products  act  as  poisons  in  a  degree  corresponding  to  their  amount. 

Acid  Intoxication. — Many  acids  may  be  accumulated  in  the  blood, 
producing  the  condition  known  as  hyperacidosis  or  general  hyper- 
acidity. The  accumulation  is  probably  the  result  of  an  increased 
production  by  metabolism  or  the  incomplete  reduction  to  urea,  etc., 
of  normal,  acid  cell  excreta.  The  condition  probably  arises  as  the 
result  of  gastro-intestinal  disturbances  or  altered  nerve  influence, 
or  the  failure  of  function  in  an  organ,  as  in  diabetes  in  which  acidosis 
exists.  The  acids  are  carbonic,  lactic,  sarcolactic,  sulphuric,  phos- 
phoric, uric,  diacetic,  and  /5-oxybutyric.  The  symptoms  probably 
result  from  the  acidosis  rather  than  from  any  one  acid. 

Suboxidation  always  accompanies  the  condition.  Some  of  the 
acids  combine  with  the  alkaline  elements,  and,  therefore,  reduce 
the  normal  alkalinity,  while  the  acids  left  disturb  metabolism,  thus 
leading  to  further  disturbances.     (See  p.  90.) 

Gout. — Gout  or  podagra  is  a  recurrent  non-suppurative  arthritis 
associated  with  the  deposits  of  sodium  biurate  in  the  joints,  and 

1  See  Works  on  Practical  Medicine. 

2  Stengel :  A  Tesst-bopk  of  Pathology, 


GENERAL  MALNUTRITION 


97 


often  with  constitutional  symptoms.  It  may  be  acute  or  chronic, 
by  some  thought  always  chronic,  with  occasional  acute  manifestation. 
It  is  largely  hereditary  or  the  result  of  inherited  tendency  to  luxurious 
and  indolent  life. 

The  excessive  rise  of  uric  acid  from  proteid  waste  is  held  to  be  the 
cause  of  the  presence  of  biurates  of  sodium,  as  mechanical  irritants 
to  the  joints,  in  which,  owing  to  increased  age  (thirty  or  over)  and 
its  tendency  to  lessened  use  of  joints,  a  sluggish  circulation  with 
increased  acidity  of  the  fluids  of  the  part  favoring  precipitation  is 
established.  The  salts  crystallize  in  the  synovial  tissue  and  excite 
inflammation.  A  slight  excess  of  uric  acid  in  the  blood  is  sufficient 
if  the  local  conditions  are  as  stated.  Ebstein  claimed  that  degenera- 
tion or  necrotic  changes  in  the  tissues  cause  the  precipitation.  The 
sluggish  circulation  leads  in  this  direction.    (See  Venous  Hyperemia.) 

The  conditions  leading  to  a  rise  of  uric  acid  are  many: 

1.  Richly  cooked  foods,  especially  proteid  and  sugar,  with  wines. 

2.  Sedentary  life  combined  with  the  above,  or  overwork  and  under- 
feeding, w^ith  the  use  of  malt  liquors. 

3.  Chronic  lead  poisoning. 

4.  Defective  elimination;  the  output  in  the  urine  is  lessened  just 
before  the  arthritis  and  increased  after  it.    (Haig.) 

Chronic  Gout, — After  an  acute  attack  in  one  joint  others  may  be 
attacked,  and  tophi  (concretions  of  sodium  biurate)  form  in  the  ear 
or  nasal  cartilages,  joints,  sheaths 
of  tendons,  etc.  In  some  cases 
crepitation  of  the  joints  may  be 
felt  and  heard.  The  joints  are  dis- 
torted and  enlargements  by  the 
tophi  occur;  the  skin  over  them 
may  be  smooth  and  shiny,  but  not 
inflamed.  The  neighboring  veins 
are  prominent. 

Constitutional  Symptoms. — Com- 
plications. —  Weakness,  anemia, 
cachexia,  digestive  disturbances, 
dyspepsia,  gastric  and  intestinal, 
with  constipation,  failing  nutri- 
tion, deformity,  inability  to  exer- 
cise, mental  irritations  and  dulness, 
granular  atrophic  kidney,  cardiac 
hypertrophy  and  dilatation  with 
arteriosclerosis,  chronic  gastritis, 
asthma,  bronchitis,  cerebral  or  other  Topbi  of  gout    (ziegier.; 


Fig.  52 


98  DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

thrombosis,  sciatica,  eye-skin  lesions,  obesity,  diabetes,  cholelithiasis, 
gravel,  and  vesical  calculi.     (Thompson.) 

Goutiness. — {Gouty  Diathesis). — This  is  the  inherited  or  acquired 
condition  underlying  the  acute  and  chronic  forms  of  gout,  or  a 
tendency  to  gouty  symptoms  in  parts  other  than  the  joints,  as  the 
vital  organs,  skin,  and  nervous  tissues.  According  to  Ewart,  "in 
its  functional  aspect  it  is  due  to  the  abnormal  acidity  of  tissue  juices, 
while  a  delicacy  of  tissues  is  produced  or  inherited,  causing  increased 
irritability  and  lowered  resistance."  The  following  diseases  and  symp- 
toms may  be  associated  as  results,  and  in  themselves  show  the  force 
of  Michaels'  claim  for  a  general  hyperacid  classification  of  individuals 
with  these  symptoms. 

Vascular  System. — Arteriosclerosis,  an  increase  of  the  fibrous 
elements  of  the  arterial  walls  and  indicated  by  their  thickening 
and  the  high  tension. 

This  induces  overwork  of  the  heart,  resulting  in  cardiac  hyper- 
trophy, and  this  occurring  in  the  coronary  arteries  produces  failing 
nutrition  of  the  heart  and  myocarditis  with  appropriate  symptoms. 

Respiratory  System. — Asthma,  emphysema,  and  obstinate  recurrent 
bronchitis;  bronchial  catarrh  in  the  young. 

Genito-urinary  System. — Uric  acid  sediment  with  hyperacidity, 
hematuria,  urethritis,  oxaluria,  albuminuria,  glycosuria  in  some 
cases,  menstrual  disorders,  and  uterine  and  ovarian  disturbances. 

Nervous  and  Muscular  Systems. — Neuralgias,  muscular  soreness, 
lumbago,  sciatica,  bursitis,  sore  heels,  hemicrania,  or  migraine, 
neurasthenia. 

Digestive  System. — Acid  dyspepsia,  acid  eructation.  Tongue  may 
show  glossitis  or  leukoplakia,  gingivitis,  suppurative  tonsillitis 
(infection  added),  bilious  headaches,  chronic  gastritis,  colic. 

Skin.^ — Harsh,  dry,  tending  to  eczema,  pruritus,  urticaria,  erythema, 
acne,  pityriasis,  furunculosis,  herpes,  exfoliative  dermatitis,  per- 
spiration acid.  Early  gray  hair,  alopecia.  Nails  have  longitudinal 
strise  and  are  brittle. 

Eyes. — Iritis,  glaucoma,  conjunctivitis.  Lesions  of  retinal  vessels, 
retina  and  optic  nerve,  keratitis  and  panophthalmitis. 

These  symptoms  vary  widely  in  different  subjects. 

The  chief  points  of  interest  to  the  dentist,  apart  from  diagnosis 
of  goutiness,  is  the  peculiar  tissue  delicacy,  and  the  general  hyper- 
acidity as  a  cause.  Without  doubt  this  form  of  auto-intoxication 
(acidosis)  in  some  cases  leads  to  thickening  of  small  arteries  in  the 
pericementum,  leading  to  endarteritis  obliterans,  as  shown  by  Talbot, 
and  while  not  the  only  form  of  chronic  gingival  irritation,  is  prob- 
ably one  cause  predisposing  to  gingival  infection  leading  to  the  more 
complicated,  persistent,  and  recurrent  forms  of  pyorrhea  alveolaris. 


GENERAL  MALNUTRITION  99 

It  may  be  regarded  as  established  that  goutiness  may  exist  and 
lead  to"  declared"  gout,  or  merely  act  as  a  chronic  tissue  irritant. 

Treatment. — The  accepted  medical  therapeutics  of  goutiness, 
which  lies  within  the  special  province  of  the  dentist,  may  well  be 
given  here.^ 

Diet. — Three  moderate  meals  a  day.  Eating  between  meals  to  be 
avoided.  Any  meat,  except  pork,  once  a  day  only;  fresh  fish,  eggs, 
lean  ham  or  bacon,  oysters  or  shell  fish  at  the  other  meals  if  desired; 
oatmeal,  hominy,  cornmeal,  cracked  wheat,  stale  bread  and  crackers, 
fresh  green  vegetables  and  potatoes,  leguminous  vegetables,  apples, 
oranges,  cream  or  other  cheese  as  proteid,  soups,  tea  and  coffee  in 
moderation,  custard  and  gelatin  preparations.  Alkaline  mineral 
waters,  or  plenty  of  plain  water,  before  meals  and  at  bedtime,  or 
the  tablets  of  lithium  citrate  or  bitartrate  may  be  taken  dissolved 
in  water.  To  be  avoided  are  much  meat,  sweet  dishes  and  confec- 
tionery, pastry,  fried  foods,  pickles,  spices,  curry,  cakes,  griddle 
cakes,  alcoholic  and  malt  liquors. 

Hygiene. — Brisk  exercise  in  the  open  air  to  increase  oxidation 
and  elimination  through  the  induction  of  perspiration,  and  Turkish 
baths  if  no  organic  disease  as  of  the  heart  and  kidneys  exists,  and  then 
only  as  advised  according  to  the  advance  of  the  disease.  Daily  cold 
bathing  with  brisk  rubbing;  wearing  of  woollen  clothing.  Sea  bathing 
or  medicated  baths.  The  bowels  should  be  kept  freely  open  with 
cascara  sagrada  or  aloes  if  necessary. 

Special  Therapeutic  Indications. — For  anemic  and  neurasthenic 
cases,  Fowler's  solution,  with  iron  and  cod-liver  oil,  or  blood-making 
preparations. 

For  feeble  digestion: 

3 — Tincture  nux  vomicse TTlx 

Compound  tincture  gentian  or  cinchona f5j 

S. — Talie  before  meals. 

For  constipation,  cascara  sagrada,  aloes,  Carlsbad  water,  thialion, 
a  laxative  salt  of  lithium. 

For  gastric  catarrh  with  constipation  and  high  vascular  tension: 

I^ — Sodium  sulphate        3J 

S. — Take  in  a  half  tumblerful  of  hot  water  one  hour  before  meals,  two  or  three  times  a  day. 

For  persistent  high  vascular  tension: 

Nitroglycerin gr.  y^n  every  three  hours. 

Or, 

Sodium  nitrate gr.  iij  three  times  a  day. 

Or, 

Choral  hydrate gr.  v  three  or  four  times  a  day. 

1  Acknowledgment  in  part  to  Thompson's  Practical  Medicine. 


100  DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

Lithemia. — This  is  a  condition  occurring  in  individuals  who 
overfeed,  drink  too  httle  fluid,  exerc  se  httle,  and  are  under  various 
nervous  strains  or  overwork.  A  neurotic  disposition  and  stimulants 
enhance  the  disturbances  of  nutrition. 

Cold  weather,  adding  to  the  above  a  lessened  perspiration  and 
increase  of  work  by  the  kidneys,  increases  the  difiiculty.  Tobacco 
and  alcohol  increase  the  ill  effects. 

There  may  be  no  symptoms  of  gout  in  even  marked  cases.  There 
is  acidosis  with  lithuria  (uric  acid  in  the  urine)  or  oxaluria;  eventually 
renal,  vascular,  and  hepatic  scleroses  develop,  together  with  liability 
to  localized  inflammation  chiefly  in  serous  membranes,  as  the  pleura 
or  synovia. 

The  hypothesis  is  that  uric  acid  or  some  proteid  toxin  irritates 
the  capillaries  to  contraction,  thereby  raising  vascular  tension,  and 
by  this  twofold  toxic  and  mechanical  action  causing  arteriosclerosis, 
which  in  turn  induces  cardiac  hypertrophy,  sclerotic  kidney  changes, 
and  vascular  hepatic  cirrhosis.     It  tends  toward  neurasthenia. 

Symptoms.^ — Nervous  Symptoms. — ^Vertigo,  tinnitus  aurium,  in- 
somnia, restlessness,  burning  or  pricking  sensation  in  the  palms  or 
soles,  darting  pains  in  the  limbs,  hebetude  of  mind,  hypochondriasis, 
hemicrania,  or  diffuse  basilar  or  frontal  headache,  general  nervous 
irritability. 

Digestive  Symptoms. — ^Lost  or  capricious  appetite,  coated  red  or 
dry  tongue  often  fissured,  aphthous  ulcers,  thirst,  metallic  taste  in 
the  mouth,  pyrosis,  hiccough,  gastric  oppression,  nausea,  gastralgia, 
vomiting,  flatulence,  constipation  or  irregular,  dark-colored,  frothy 
stool,  palpitation  of  the  heart  (an  hour  or  two  after  meals),  hepatic 
tenderness. 

Urine .^ — Scanty,  dark,  strongly  acid,  of  high  specific  gravity,  with 
often  brick-dust  sediment  of  urates.  Perhaps  temporary  albuminuria; 
perhaps  inflammation  of  urinary  passage. 

Skin. — Eczema,  pruritus,  urticaria  or  lichen. 

Treatment. — The  condition  of  life  should  be  reversed  as  to  previous 
eating  and  drinking,  and  exercise  to  avoid  the  overstimulation  by 
proteid  food  waste  and  to  increase  elimination.  Stimulants  are  to 
be  avoided,  sodium  phosphate  given  for  its  action  upon  the  liver  in 
promoting  the  excretion  of  bile,  and  also  for  its  mildly  cathartic 
effect.  It  also  furnishes  an  element  for  regeneration  of  nervous 
tissue,  and  renders  the  body  fluids  more  alkaline.  Lithium  prepara- 
tions are  of  little  value.  Potassium  acetate,  bicarbonate,  and  citrate 
are  useful.  The  bowels  are  to  be  kept  open.  Headaches  may  be 
relieved  by: 


GENERAL  MALNUTRITION 


101 


I^ — Phenacetin gr.  xxxvi 

Salol, 

Caffein aa.     gr.  xxiv 

M.  and  ft.  capaulse  no.  xii. 

S. — A  capsule  three  or  four  times  a  clay. 

For  the  neurasthenic  cases  treat  with  arsenic  and  glycerophos- 
phates. 

The  diet  is  to  be  reguhited  as  in  goutiness.  The  use  of  much  fat, 
meats,  or  carbohydrates  is  to  be  avoided,  to  lessen  the  necessity 
for  oxidation  and  for  work  by  the  liver.  The  use  of  a  largely  vege- 
table diet,  to  render  the  body  fluid  more  alkaline.  Plenty  of  water 
between  meals,  to  flood  the  system.  Hygiene,  rest,  and  exercise,  as 
in  goutiness. 

Rheumatism. — Rheumatism  is  an  acute  fever,  probably  of  infective 
origin,  characterized  by  constitutional  toxic  symptoms,  inflammation 
of  the  joints,  muscles,  serous  membranes,  skin,  or  even  tonsils.  It 
may  be  classified  as  acute,  chronic,  or  muscular  rheumatism. 

Etiology  of  Acute  Rheumatism. — It  may  be  transmitted  to  the 
newborn,  or  a  constitutional  tendency  to  it  may  be  inherited.  It  is 
most  common  to  young  adults  (fifteen  to  twenty -five  years),  but  no 
age  is  exempt.    It  is  most  common  in  males. 

Climate,  exposure  to  cold,  injuries  and  overwork  of  parts,  occupa- 
tion inviting  exposure  to  hardships,  chronic  alcoholism,  nervous  shock, 
debility,  starvation,  anemia,  and  chorea  are  other  predisposing  causes. 

The  exciting  cause  is  supposed  to  be  largely  due  to  a  bacillus 
isolated  from  the  blood  or  joint  of  rheumatic  patients,  but  it  is  also 
induced  by  a  diet  of  meat  or  the  fermentation  produced  by  overuse 
of  sugar  and  starches,  causing  a  rise  of  lactic  or  uric  acid  in  the 
blood. 

Clinical  History. — It  presents  the  following  clinical  difference  from 
acute  gout.^ 


Acute  gout. 

Acute  rheumatism. 

Exciting  cause  . 

Often  errors  in  eating  and  drinking. 

Sometimes  cold  and  damp. 

First  attack 

Commonly  in  one  great  toe. 

Commonly  in  large  joints. 

Later  attacks     . 

Both  toes,  fingers,  knees,  etc. 

Rare  in  toes,  often  shoulder  or  hip. 

Appearance  of  joint 

Color,  dark  red,  shiny,  and  tense. 

Lighter  red. 

Pain 

Worse    at    night   or  early    morning, 
localized. 

Migratory  from  joint  to  joint. 

Subsidence   .... 

Leaves  thickening  and  deformity  with 
repeated  attacks. 

Leaves  normal  joints. 

Tophi      

In  lobes  of  ear,  finger-joints,  etc. 

Never  present. 

Age  and  sex 

Common  in  middle-aged  men;  very 

Common  in  young  persons,  chil- 

rare in  children. 

dren,  and  women. 

Effect  of  treatment 

Salicylates  have  but  little  effect;  col- 

Salicylates   have   marked    effect; 

chicum  marked  effect. 

colchicum  no  effect. 

'  Thompson's  Practical  Medicine 


102  DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

Symptoms. — Pain  and  inflammation  of  joint,  which  may  be  pre- 
ceded b}^  headache,  indigestion,  constipation,  lassitude,  muscular 
aching,  chilliness,  mild  inflammation  of  tonsils,  pharynx,  and  larynx. 
Tongue  coated,  pale,  and  indented  by  the  teeth;  breath  foul.  Fever 
103°  or  104°  F.,  sometimes  hyperpyrexia.  Sweating  during  the 
height  of  convalescence,  with  acid  odor  from  decomposition  of  fatty 
acid,  but  may  be  neutral  or  alkaline  in  parts  of  same  person,  therefore 
not  an  effort  at  elimination  of  acid. 

Saliva. — Acid,  excess  of  potassium  sulphocyanid. 

Urine. — Hyperacid,  urates  increased,  chlorides  diminished,  uric 
acid  abundant,  sometimes  albuminuria. 

Heart. — Pericarditis  and  endocarditis  in  one-fourth  of  all  cases. 

Mind. — Clear  except  in  hyperpyrexia. 

Skin. — Urticaria,  petechise,  ecchymoses,  purpura,  eczema  at  times ; 
subcutaneous  nodules  in  youth. 

Complications. — Conjunctivitis  occasionally;  chorea  frequently. 

Prognosis. — Uncertain  as  to  period  before  recovery;  relapses,  or 
recurrence  common. 

Treatment. — Sodium  salicylate  and  oil  of  gaultheria,  internally, 
relieve  the  pains  and  inflammation.  Cold  baths  to  reduce  the  tem- 
perature. Blisters  as  counterirritants;  protection  from  jarring  by 
cotton  and  fenders;  guaiacol  with  glycerin,  oil  of  wintergreen,  etc., 
as  local  lotions.    The  diet  is  much  the  same  as  in  gout. 

Chronic  Rheumatism. — This  form  has  much  the  same  etiology, 
but  is  more  common  after  the  fortieth  year.  It  appears  in  much- 
used  joints,  and  is  most  common  in  females. 

Morbid  Anatomy. — Fibrous  thickening  and  contraction  produce 
moderate  thickening  and  distortion  of  joints;  atrophy  of  muscles 
about  joints  may  occur. 

Symptoms. — Symptoms  are  of  slow  onset;  general  health  good 
unless  inability  to  exercise  produces  alteration.  Pain  absent  except 
when  joint  is  overworked  or  in  damp  weather.  The  fingers  may  be 
deflected  laterally  and  flexed  by  contraction  of  tendons.  Febrile 
attacks,  101°  F.,  occur  from  time  to  time,  but  the  urine  is  normal. 

Prognosis. — Disease  progressive,  no  recovery,  but  temporary  im- 
provement by  treatment  so  that  the  joints  may  remain  quiescent 
for  years.    Never  fatal. 

Systemic  Treatment. — Simple  alkalies  or  alkaline  waters,  arsenous 
acid,  yV  gr.  t.  i.  d.,  cod-liver  oil  for  the  debilitated  and  anemic,  Carls- 
bad salts  or  sodium  phosphate  for  constipation. 

Local.— Drenching  with  hot  (105°  to  110°  F.)  and  cold  (70°  F.) 
water  alternately,  followed  by  massage  and  wrapping  the  joint  in 
flannel.    Sweating  in  an  enclosing  box  with  hot  air,  240°  or  250°  F., 


GENERAL  MALNUTRITION  ,      103 

followed  by  Swedish  movements.  The  lotions  used  for  acute  rheu- 
matism are  also  used.    The  diet  is  much  the  same  as  for  goutiness. 

Muscular  Rheumatism. — In  this  form  of  rheumatism  the  dis- 
turbance is  in  the  muscles,  with  little  constitutional  disturbance. 
The  essential  lesion  is  probably  an  inflammation  of  the  muscles, 
though  the  nerves  may  suffer. 

Ssrmptoms. — Local  tenderness  and  pain  increased  by  every  con- 
traction of  the  muscle.  Pain  stationary,  worse  by  night  and  during 
barometric  disturbances;  oxaluria  in  some  cases. 

Scorbutus  (Scurvy). — This  is  a  subacute  or  chronic  disease, 
characterized  by  inanition,  anemia,  and  asthenia,  with  purpura  and 
a  tendency  to  swelling  of  the  gums. 

WTiile  of  doubtful  origin,  defective  hygiene  and  the  use  of  improper 
foods,  especially  the  lack  of  fresh  vegetables  and  fruits,  and  the  use 
of  salted  foods,  the  improper  absorption  of  food  owing  to  chronic 
intestinal  maladies,  as  dysentery,  or  to  cachexias,  as  in  malaria, 
cancer,  and  syphilis,  are  the  chief  causes,  though  infection  has  been 
held  to  act  upon  those  debilitated  by  the  above  causes.  In  young 
children  it  is  due  to  the  use  of  proprietary  foods  instead  of  fresh 
food,  and  appears  mostly  from  the  eighth  to  the  twelfth  month, 
rarely  before  the  sixth  or  after  the  sixteenth  month. 

The  circulation  is  feeble  and  the  blood  impoverished. 

The  gums  are  red  and  swollen,  protrude  over  and  between  the 
teeth  if  present,  and  bleed;  the  breath  is  offensive,  owing  to  putre- 
faction of  the  blood. 

The  stomach  shows  great  irritability,  and  there  is  thirst  and  craving 
for  acid  foods. 

The  joints  are  swollen  and  painful,  owing  to  the  hemorrhages. 

The  urine  is  high  colored;  the  acidity  and  temperature  lowered. 

Treatment. — As  a  prophylactic  and  cure,  lime,  lemon,  or  orange 
juice,  together  with  the  use  of  fresh  vegetables  and  fruit  in  adults, 
or  their  juices  in  infants.  Fresh  milk  modified,  white  of  egg,  and 
beef  juice,  or  breast  feeding,  are  to  be  substituted  for  proprietary 
foods  or  table  feeding  in  infants. 

Rachitis  (Rickets). — This  is  a  disease  found  in  infants  develop- 
ing typical  deformities  in  the  bones,  and  due  to  a  deficiency  of 
lime  salts  in  them,  in  turn  probably  due  to  an  absorption  of  that 
present,  by  hyperemic  tissue  present,  and  a  diminution  in  the  deposi- 
tion of  a  fresh  supply.  There  is  usually,  also,  hypertrophy  of  the 
liver  and  spleen.  The  prolonged  lactation  of  the  child  upon  unfit 
milk,  poor  in  fat,  and  the  overuse  of  proprietary  foods  lacking  the 
proper  food  elements,  as  farinaceous  food  or  exclusively  a  condensed 
milk  diet.     The  teeth  develop  slowly  and  are  apt  to  be  of  faulty 


104  DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

structure.  The  general  line  of  treatment  is  much  the  same  as  for 
scorbutus. 

Neurasthenia. — This  is  a  condition  of  nervous  exhaustion,  no 
reserve  nerve  matter  being  held  for  even  slight  effort.  It  is  often 
accompanied  by  nervous  excitability,  insomnia  or  disturbed  sleep, 
apprehension,  melancholia,  failure  of  appetite,  and  feeble  digestion. 

Nervous  energy  is  lost  and  irritability  remains.  It  may  be  caused 
by  continued  excitement  or  overwork  of  the  nervous  system,  and 
responds  to  rest,  regulated  diet,  general  tonics,  treatment  by  glycero- 
phosphates of  lime  and  soda  in  the  serious  cases,  while  in  mild  cases, 
exercise  in  the  open  air,  baths,  sea  or  mountain  air,  combined  with 
the  tonic  treatment  and  abstinence  from  stimulants,  effect  a  cure.^ 
In  view  of  demonstrations  upon  animals  that  nerve  tissue  is  actually 
used  up  in  nervous  energy,  the  above  treatment  probably  permits 
a  gradual  restoration  of  the  elements  of  nerve  tissue. 

Oxaluria. — ^The  increase  of  sodium  and  calcium  oxalate  crystals 
in  the  urine  indicates : 

1.  That  food  rich  in  oxalic  acid  (as  tomatoes  or  rhubarb)  has 
been  used  in  increased  quantity. 

2.  That  intestinal  fermentation  is  existent  and  forming  it  from 
glucose.     (Baldwin.) 

3.  That  intrinsic  increased  production  of  oxalic  acid  by  oxidation 
of  uric  acid,  in  turn  derived  from  the  purin  bases  of  the  nucleins, 
and  nucleo-albumin  of  the  tissues  is  present. 

It  frequently  accompanies  the  increase  of  uric  acid  in  the  urine, 
and  is  regarded  by  Simon^  as  due  to  impairment  of  normal  oxidation 
processes  in  the  liver.  Thus  it  may  be  found  in  goutiness  and  lithe- 
mia.  It  is  also  associated  with  dyspeptic  and  nervous  symptoms, 
producing  a  condition  known  as  oxalic  acid  diathesis.  It  also 
sometimes  accompanies  diabetes. 

Continued  oxaluria  may  result  in  the  formation  of  calcium  oxalate 
calculi.  It  is  frequently  associated  with  nervous  irritability,  hypo- 
chondriasis, and  neurasthenia.  Oxalates  are  found  in  the  urine  and 
saliva.     (See  pp.  91  ;and  92.) 

Phosphaturia. — The  tribasic,  phosphoric  acid,  H3PO4,  is  a  normal 
product  of  metabolism,  and  like  other  acids  combines  with  salts 
before  elimination.  Its  alkaline  combinations  are  sodium  phosphate, 
Na3P04;  calcium  phosphate,  Ca2(P04)2;  and  magnesium  phosphate, 
Mg3(P04)2,  which  may  also  be  found  in  alkaline  urine.  Its  neutral 
combinations  are  di-sodium  hydrogen  phosphate,  Na2H.P04;  calcium 
hydrogen  phosphate,  CaHP04 ;  and  magnesium  hydrogen  phosphate, 

'  See  Thompson's  Practical  Medicine.  ^  Simon:    Clinical  Diagnosis. 


fl^/ 


Rg.VM. 


a 

6 

c 

d 

A. 

/•    9 

A 

I 

J 

k 

m 

m 

n 

BLOOD. 

(p^lirlich  triple  stiiiii.) 
(Prcpurcfl    h>-    Dh.    1.   P.    Lyom.) 

Fly.  I.     TYPES   OF    LEUCOCYTES, 

a.  PolymorphonueieHP  Neutrophile.  b.  Polymorphonuclear  Eosinophile.  c.  Myelocyte 
iNeutrophilici.      d.    Sosinophilic    Myelocyte,      e.    Large    Lymphocyte    (large    Mononuclear). 

/.  Small  Lymphocyte  (small   Mononuclear). 

Fig.  ir.     NORMAL    BLOOD 
Field  contains  one  neutrophile.     Red.s  are  norm.al. 

Fig    III.     ANEMIA.   POST-OPERATIVE  (.secondary). 

The  reds  are  fewer  than,  normal,  and  are  deficient  in  haemoglobin  and  somewhat 
irregular  in  form.  One  normoblast  is  seen  in  the  field,  and  two  neutrophiles  and  one 
small  lymphocyte,  showing  a  inarked  post-haemorrhagic  anaemia,  with  leucocytosis. 

Fig.  IV.     LEUCOCYTOSIS,   INFLAMMATORY. 

The  reds  are  normal.  .A  marked  leucocytosis  is  shown,  w^ith  five  neutrophiles  and 
one  small  lymphocyte.  This  illustration  may  also  serve  the  purpose  of  showing  tha 
leucocytosis  of  rnalignant  tu.ncr 

Fig.  V.     TRICHINOSIS. 
.■\  marked  leucocytosis  is  shown,  consisting  of  an  eosinophilia. 

Fig    VI.     LYMPHATIC  LEUKEMIA. 

Slight  anaemia.  A  large  relative  and  absolute  increase  of  the  lymphocytes  (chiefly 
the  small  lymphocytes)  is  shown. 

Fig.  VII.     SPLENO-MYELOGENOUS    LEUKEMIA. 

The  reds  show  a  secondary  anaemia.  Two  normoblasts  are  shown.  The  leucocytosis 
is  massive.  Twenty  leucocytes  are  shown,  consisting  of  nine  neutrophiles,  seven  myelo- 
cytes, two  small  lymphocytes,  one  eosinophile  (polymorphonuclear)  and  one  eosinophilic 
myelocyte.  Note  the  polymorphous  condition  of  the  leucocytes,  i.e.,  their  variations 
from  the  typical  in  size  and  form. 

Fig.  VIII.     VARIETIES   OF    RED    CORPUSCLES. 

a.  Normal  Red  Corpuscle  (normocyte).  6,  c.  Anaemic  Red  Corpuscles,  d-g.  Poikilocytes 
h.  Microcyte.  i.  Megalocyte.  j-n.  Nucleated  Red  Corpuscles,  j.k.  Normoblasts.  I.  Micro- 
blast,    m,  71.  Megaloblasts.  , 


GENERAL  MALNUTRITION  105 

Mg.H.P04,  all  found  in  the  blood  and  in  neutral  urine.  Its  acid 
combinations  are  sodium  di-hydrogen  phosphates,  NaH2P04,  and 
calcium  dihydrogen  phosphate,  Ca(H2P04)2,  found  in  acid  urine, 
and  to  which  the  normal  acidity  is  partly  and  chiefly  due. 

Ammonium  magnesium  phosphate  (NH4MgP04+6H20)  or  triple 
phosphate  is  also  found. ^ 

Many  of  the  phosphates  are  derived  from  the  food,  but  some  are 
formed  by  proteid  catabolism;  one-third  of  all  excreted  is  eliminated 
in  the  intestinal  secretion;  some  are  eliminated  in  the  saliva,  as  shown 
by  the  formation  of  salivary  calculi.  In  diseases  requiring  increased 
phagocytosis,  as  febrile  conditions,  the  elimination  of  phosphates 
falls,  the  phosphates  probably  being  utilized  in  the  formation  of 
leukocytes. 

The  excretion  is  increased  in  diabetes  and  tuberculosis. 

A  very  large  increase  in  the  total  amount  of  phosphates  eliminated 
(7  to  9  grams  in  twenty-four  hours)  is  called  phosphatic  diabetes, 
and  has  been  associated  with  four  classes  of  symptoms: 

(a)  Cases  with  marked  polyuria  and  marked  nervous  symptoms. 

(6)  Cases  preceding  or  accompanying  pulmonary  diseases,  espe- 
cially tuberculosis. 

(c)  Cases  in  which  phosphaturia  alternates  with  or  co-exists  with 
glycosuria. 

(d)  Cases  in  which  oxaluria,  polyuria,  and  slight  albuminuria  are 
present,  and  in  which  some  relationship  with  gout  exists.    (See  p.  98.) 

An  increase  in  the«amount  of  phosphates  in  the  blood  tends  to  the 
production  of  calculi. 

As  nerve  tissue  contains  a  considerable  amount  of  lecithin  or  phos- 
phorized  fat  essential  to  it,  excessive  drain  upon  this  may  result 
in  a  loss  of  this  substance  by  catabolism,  with  loss  of  phosphates 
doubtless  masked  by  the  preponderance  of  phosphates  derived  from 
the  food. 

This  is  borne  out  by  the  beneficial  use  of  glj'cerophosphates  of 
lime  and  soda,  rest,  and  general  tonic  treatment  in  neurasthenia. 
(See  p.  104.) 

Albuminuria. — The  presence  of  albumin  in  the  urine  may  be 
either  (1)  transitory,  remittent,  or  cyclic  (recurring  with  regularity), 
as  the  result  of  functional  disturbances,  as  anemia,  adolescence,  in 
general  malnutrition,  after  severe  exercise  or  cold  baths;  or  (2)  due 
to  organic  disease  of  the  kidney,  as  acute  and  chronic  nephritis, 
renal  arteriosclerosis,  and  amyloid  degeneration  of  the  kidney;  or 
(3)  to  fevers,  as  typhoid  and  yellow  fever,  and  is  due  to  the  presence 

1  Kirke's  Physiology, 


106  DISTURBANCES  OF  NUTRITION 

of  bacterial  toxin  in  the  blood;  or  (4)  to  circulatory  disturbances,  as 
organic  heart  disease,  or  to  local  circulatory  disturbances,  as  com- 
pression of  renal  veins  by  a  pregnant  uterus;  or  (5)  to  impeded  out- 
flow of  urine;  or  (6)  to  hemic  changes,  increasing  the  diffusion  of 
albumin,  as  in  scurvy,  leukemia,  pernicious  anemia,  jaundice,  and 
diabetes;  or  (7)  to  toxins  in  the  blood  other  than  febrile,  as  turpentine, 
salicylic  acid,  phosphorus,  arsenic,  etc.,  probably  producing  circu- 
latory disturbances  and  irritation  of  glandular  epithelium  of  the 
kidneys;  or  (8)  to  neurotic  disturbances,  as  epilepsy;  or  (9)  to  in- 
gestion of  excessive  amounts  of  cheese,  eggs,  and  other  albuminous 
food;  or  (10)  to  accidental  admixture  after  urine  excretion  by  the 
kidneys.^ 

It  is,  therefore,  like  oxaluria  and  phosphaturia,  more  a  symptom 
than  a  disease. 

1  Simon:  Clinical  Diagnosis. 


CHAPTER   V 


DISTURBANCES  OF  THE  VASCULAR  SYSTEM 


A  SUITABLE  amount  and  quality  of  blood  normally  flows  through 
the  circulatory  apparatus,  and  is  in  close  relation  to  processes  of 
nutrition. 

The  amount  of  blood  in  the  vessels  may  be  increased  (plethora), 
though  not  permanently.  It  may  be  decreased  rapidly  in  quantity, 
as  by  hemorrhage,  or  its  red  corpuscles  may  be  gradually  lessened 
in  number  (acute  or  chronic  anemia).  The  proportion  of  white 
corpuscles  to  red  ones  may  be  increased  abnormally  (leukemia). 
The  hemoglobin  of  red  corpuscles  may  be  deficient  (chlorosis). 
Locally  the  amount  of  blood  in  a  part  may  be  increased  (hyperemia 
or  inflammation)  or  diminished  (ischemia). 

Normally  the  blood  contains  floating  in  the  plasma  5,000,000  red 
corpuscles,  or  erythrocytes,  and  from  5000  to  10,000  (1  to  500  red) 
white  corpuscles,  or  leukocytes,  to  each  cubic  millimeter.  (See  Plate, 
Fig.  II.)  A  marked  increase  in  the  number  of  erythrocytes  is  termed 
polycythemia;  a  marked  decrease,  oligocythemia.  The  temporary 
increase  in  number  of  white  corpuscles  is  leukocytosis;  a  persistent 
increase,  leukocythemia  or  leukemia. 

The  blood  corpuscles  may  be  classified  as  follows: 


Erj'throcytes. 
Non-nucleated 
red  corpuscles. 


Normal  to 
blood. 


Normocytes  (normal  size) 


See  Plate. 
Fig.  53    Fig.  VIII 

1,2,3.4.  a 


iMicrocytes  (small  size) h 
Macrocj^es  (large  size) 

Megalocytes  (very  large  size) % 

Poikilocytes  (irregular  form) d  e  f  g 


Erythroblasts.  f 

Nucleated  red  corpuscles 
derived  from  red  marrow 
of  bones. 


Pathological 
indicators. 


I  Normoblasts  (normal  size) 
Microblasts  (small  size) 
Megaloblasts  (large  size) 


}k 
I 


Leukocytes. 
White  corpuscles. 


Normal  to 
blood. 


Pathological 
indicators. 


Lymphocytes  (small) 
Lymphocytes  (large) 
Polymorphonuclear  neutrophiles 
Polymorphonuclear  eosinophiles 


See  Plate, 

Fig.  53  Fig.  I 

22%     5  / 

6"      6  e 

70"      7  a 

2"      8  b 


I  Basophilic  leukocytes  or  mast  cells. 
Neutrophilic  myelocytes  from  bone  marrow 
Eosinophilic  myelocytes 


108  DISTURBANCES  OF   THE   VASCULAR  SYSTEM 

Fig.  53 
"2 


Normal  blood  (triacid  stain):  1,  normal  red  cell,  flatly  spread  and  evenly  stained;  2,  normal 
rouleau;  3,  normal  red  cells  varying  slightly  in  size,  thickly  spread,  showing  central  clear  areas; 
4,  normal  red  cell,  of  slightly  altered  shape;  5,  lymphocyte,  medium  size;  6,  large  mononuclear 
leukocyte,  incurved  nucleus;  7,  polynuclear  neutrophile  leukocyte;  8,  eosinophile  leukocyte. 
Separate  nuclear  lobes.     (Schmaus  and  Ewing.) 


ANEMIA 


Anemia  is  a  condition  in  which  the  blood  is  lessened  in  quantity 
or  partly  deprived  of  its  essential  constituents — i.  s.,  red  corpuscles 
and  hemoglobin — in  consequence  of  which  the  tissues  receive  less 
ox;^^gen  and  the  general  nutrition  is  impaired. 

Acute  Traumatic  Anemia  occurs  as  a  result  of  copious  hemor- 
rhage. The  individual  becomes  temporarily  pale  and  weak.  The 
arterial  pressure  is  lessened,  the  circulation  slowed,  and  the  pulse 
is  frequent  and  small.  Recovery  is,  as  a  rule,  prompt,  the  water 
being  first  restored  and  later  the  corpuscles  being  regenerated.^ 
Frequent  hemorrhages  cause  the  blood  to  become  watery  and  debility 
results  from  impaired  nutrition.     (See  Plate,  Fig.  III.) 

'  Ziegler:   General  Pathology 


ANEMIA  109 

Symptomatic  Anemia. — A  diminution  in  the  number  of  red  cor- 
puscles may  occur  as  a  result  of  protracted  o\erwork,  anxiety,  study, 
or  long-continued  illness,  such  as  a  fever. 

The  number  of  red  blood  corpuscles  may  be  reduced  to  one-half  the 
normal  amount,  and  there  is  a  corresponding  debility.  The  condition 
may  disappear  with  appropriate  removal  of  the  cause. 

Chlorosis. — This  is  a  form  of  anemia  occurring,  for  the  most  part, 
in  girls  and  young  women,  and  characterized  by  a  great  deficiency  in 
the  hemoglobin  of  the  red  corpuscles  without  a  corresponding  reduc- 
tion in  the  number  of  the  red  corpuscles.  In  the  watery  blood  very 
small  red  corpuscles  (microcytes)  are  seen;  also  a  few  very  large 
on6s  (macFocytes),  and  some  of  irregular  outline  (poikilocytes).^ 
Myelocytes  are  occasionally  seen.  (Stengel.)  The  pathology  is 
uncertain.  If  prolonged,  the  red  corpuscles  may  sink  in  numbers 
to  3,000,000  or  2,000,000  per  cubic  millimeter  and  20  per  cent,  of 
hemoglobin. 

Being,  as  a  rule,  readily  cured  by  a  course  of  iron,  it  is  inferred 
that  the  body  is  starved  of  iron,  an  essential  constituent  of  hemo- 
globin. It  is  often  associated  with  gastric  disturbances,  constipation, 
defective  hygiene,  and  irregular  habits,  which  apparently  have  a 
causal  relation.  The  skin  and  mucous  membranes  are  pale  and  have 
a  slightly  greenish  tinge.^  In  recovery  the  number  of  corpuscles  is 
first  increased,  then  the  hemoglobin. 

Leukocytosis. — This  is  not  a  form  of  anemia,  but  a  temporary 
increase  in  the  number  of  multinucleated  leukocytes,  apparently 
derived  from  the  lymphoid  structures  of  the  body  in  response  to 
some  demand  for  leukocytes.  Thus  it  occurs  after  a  full  meal,  in  the 
later  months  of  pregnancy,  in  acute  fevers,  in  tuberculosis,  and  in 
conditions  accompanied  by  suppuration.^  Its  presence  during  the 
course  of  surgical  disease  has  been  held  to  be  diagnostic  of  pus  forma- 
tion^— e.  g.,  in  abdominal  surgery  from  SOOO  to  20,000  per  cubic 
millimeter.     (See  Plate,  Fig.  IV.) 

Leukemia. — Leukemia  is  a  disease  characterized  by  a  consider- 
able increase  in  the  number  of  white  corpuscles  of  the  blood,  by  a 
diminution  in  the  number  of  the  red  corpuscles,  and  by  enlargement 
of  some  of  the  lymphatic  organs.  The  proportion  of  one  white  to  ten 
red  corpuscles  is  common  (1  to  5  often,  occasionally  1  to  1).  The 
spleen  may  be  hypertrophied  (splenic  leukemia).  The  lymphatic 
glands  may  be  hypertrophied  (lymphatic  leukemia).  In  these  latter 
cases  the  blood  contains  an  excess  of  uninuclear  leukocytes.    It  is  rare 

'  Green:   Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. 

2  Ibid.  »  Ibid. 

^  Cabot:   Boston  Medical  and  Surgical  Journal. 


110  DISTURBANCES  OF  THE   VASCULAR  SYSTEM 

except  when  combined  with  other  forms.  A^Hien  the  marrow  of  bones 
is  hypertrophied  (myelogenic  leukemia)  large  mononuclear  leukocytes 
with  neutrophile  granules  are  found^  (myelocytes)  and  the  lympho- 
cytes and  polymorphonuclear  forms  are  increased.^  The  blood  con- 
tains toxic  substances  generated  by  the  destruction  of  leukocytes, 
xanthin  bodies,  and  acids  (lactic,  acetic).  The  urine  frequently 
contains  an  excess  of  xanthin  bases  and  lactic  acid.  (See  Plate, 
Figs.  VI  and  VII.) 

Pernicious  Anemia. — This  is  a  comparatively  rare  but  generally 
fatal  disease,  characterized  chiefly  by  a  great  fall  in  the  number  of 
red  corpuscles  to  one  million  or  less  per  cubic  millimeter,  those 
remaining  being  altered  in  form  and  size  and  showing  evidences  of 
degeneration.  The  total  hemoglobin  is  reduced,  but  the  relative 
amount  may  be  increased.  Degeneration  is  shown  by  peculiarities 
of  staining.  Normal  red  corpuscles  (normocytes),  nucleated  red 
corpuscles  (megaloblasts),  large  nucleated  red  corpuscles  (giganto- 
blasts),  microcytes,  and  poikilocytes  are  found.  The  blood  platelets 
and  leukocytes  are  somewhat  diminished.^  The  oxygen-carrying 
power  is  markedly  lessened  and  all  tissues  suffer  from  malnutrition. 
The  power  of  coagulation  of  the  blood  is  lessened.  Marked  fatty 
degeneration  of  the  heart  muscles  is  apt  to  occur^  as  well  as  fatty 
changes  in  the  kidneys  and  liver. 

The  causes  are  obscure,  but  gastro-intestinal  disorders,  intestinal 
parasites,  pregnancy  and  lactation,  hemorrhages,  malaria,  syphilis, 
tuberculosis,  and  infections  are  the  chief  causes  supposed  to  produce  it. 

Aplastic  anemia  is  a  severe  type  of  progressive  pernicious  anemia, 
in  which  the  bone  marrow  fails  to  develop  myelocytes  and  erythro- 
blasts  owing  to  lack  of  marrow  cells  (hypoplasia  of  bone  marrow). 


COAGULATION  OF  THE  BLOOD 

The  blood  when  drawn  from  the  body  or  in  contact  with  a  wounded 
surface  or  injured  vessel  wall  undergoes  a  process  of  solidification 
called  coagulation.  This  is  due  to  the  splitting  up  of  the  fibrinogen 
ordinarily  in  solution  in  the  blood  into  a  globulin  and  fibrin.  The 
latter  takes  the  form  of  a  network,  in  the  open  spaces  of  which  the 
corpuscles  are  entangled  (Fig.  54).  The  formation  of  fibrin  is  brought 
about  by  the  activity  of  an  unorganized  ferment  (fibrin  ferment  or 

1  Ziegler:    General  Pathology. 

2  Stengel:   A    Text-book   of   Pathology. 

3  Green:   Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. 
«  Ibid. 


COAGULATION  OF  THE  BLOOD 


111 


thrombin)  liberated  by  injured  white  corpuscles.    For  the  production 
of  this  ferment  calcium  salts  are  necessary.^    Coagulation  may  occur 

in  the  living  vessel,  as  a  throm- 
^^°-  ^*  bus,  or  in  the  interstitial  tissue,  as 

-  Ax -.-?^ '<^/V\-<>^  in  inflammation  and  infarction. 


Fig.  55 


Fibrin  filaments  and  blood  tablets .  ^ ,  net- 
work of  fibrin,  shown  after  washing  away  the 
corpuscles  from  a  preparation  of  blood  that 
has  been  allowed  to  clot;  many  of  the  fila- 
ments radiate  from  small  clumps  of  blood 
tablets;  B  (from  Osier),  blood  corpuscles 
and  elementary  particles  or  blood  tablets 
within  a  small  vein. 


A  thrombus  in  the  saphenous  vein,  show- 
ing the  projection  ot  the  conical  end  of  the 
thrombus  into  the  femoral  vessel:  S,  saphe- 
nous vein;  T,  thrombus;  C,  conical  end  pro- 
jecting into  femoral  vein.  At  v,  v,  opposite 
the  valves,  the  thrombus  is  softened.  (Vir- 
chow.) 


Diagram  to  show  phenomena  of  venous 
thrombosis:  v,  v,  valves  of  veins;  a,  h,  primary 
thrombus  (white) ;  c,  d,  e,  f,  g,  secondary  white 
thrombi  connected  with  primary  white  throm- 
bus by  various  red  thrombi;  h,  piece  of  white 
thrombus  becoming  detached  by  blood  cur- 
rent.    (Green,  modified  from  Thoma.) 


Thrombosis. — The  formation  of  thrombi  or  clots  within  the 
living  vessel  may  occur  in  the  heart,  arteries,  veins,  or  capillaries.  If 
the  blood  stream  be  somewhat  retarded,  an  increased  number  of 
white  corpuscles  and  blood  platelets  occupy  the  peripheral  zone  and 


'  Kirke's  Physiology 


112 


DISTURBANCES  OF  THE   VASCULAR  SYSTEM 


adhere  to  the  vessel  wall.  If  the  vessel  wall  be  injured,  the  blood 
platelets  become  attached  to  it.  With  these  platelets  the  white 
corpuscles  and  sometimes  the  red  become  deposited.  Fibrin  forms 
and  the  corpuscles  are  included.  The  thrombus  is  red  when  red 
corpuscles  are  included  in  it;  white  when  only  white  corpuscles  are 
present.  The  causes  of  thrombosis  are  these:  (1)  A  retardation  of 
the  blood  current  at  some  point  from  some  cause;  (2)  local  changes 
in  the  walls  of  the  vessels  and  (3)  probably  pathological  changes  in 
the  blood. ^ 

Older  thrombi  are  firmer  than  those  recently  formed.  Thrombi 
are  also  formed  in  the  capillaries,  a  circumstance  which  favors  the 
spontaneous  cessation  of  hemorrhage.  They  may  form  in  the  vessels 
in  inflammation.     Remaining  in  the  situations  in  which  they  were 


Fig.  57 


Fig.  58 


Embolus  impacted  at  the  bifurcation  of  a 
branch  of  the  pulmonary  artery,  showing  the 
formation  of  thrombi  behind  and  in  front  of 
it,  and  the  extension  of  these  as  far  as  the 
entrance  of  the  next  collateral  vessels:  E, 
embolus;  i,i',  secondary  thrombi.  (Virchow.) 


a     V 


Diagram  of  a  hemorrhagic  infarct:  a,  artery 
obliterated  by  an  embolus  (e) ;  v,  vein  filled 
with  a  secondary  thrombus  (</i);  1,  centre  of 
infarct  which  is  becoming  disintegrated;  2, 
area  of  extravasation;  3,  area  of  collateral 
hj'peremia.     (O.  Weber.) 


formed,  they  either  undergo  simple  or  puriform  softening  or  are 
calcified,  or  are  resorbed  and  replaced  by  connective  tissue.  (See 
Regeneration.)  The  calcified  varieties  are  called  phleboliths  in  the 
veins;  arterioliths  in  the  arteries.  In  senile  gangrene  a  thrombus 
may  extend  a  great  distance. 

Embolism. — Portions  of  the  softened  varieties  of  thrombi  may 
become  detached  and  float  about  in  the  blood;  these  are  called 
emboli.  Other  foreign  substances  may  act  as  emboli — e.  g.,  air  or 
fat  globules.  In  important  parts  it  may  cause  local  anemia^  necrosis, 
or  slow  or  rapid  death. 


1  Ziegler:  General  Pathology. 


COAGULATION  OF  THE  BLOOD  113 

If  the  thrombus  be  septic,  as  in  the  case  of  puriform  softening,  the 
emboli  may  lodge  in  small  vessels  and  cause  secondary  septic  disease 
processes,  as,  for  example,  in  the  cases  of  pyemia  accompanied  by 
infarctions. 

Infarction. — When  an  embolus  occludes  a  terminal  artery,  that 
is,  an  artery  whose  branches  spread  like  those  of  a  tree  without 
anastomosis,  the  part  first  becomes  ischemic,  but  soon  the  backward 
pressure  from  the  vein  upon  the  blood  in  the  capillaries  causes  an 
extravasation  of  blood  into  the  interstitial  tissue  of  the  wedge-shaped 
area,  forming  what  is  called  a  hemorrhagic  infarct.  A  clot  forms, 
degeneration  of  the  clot  occurs,  and  if  aseptic  it  is  absorbed  and 
replaced  by  connective  tissue  (see  Regeneration);  if  caused  by  a 
septic  embolus,  it  may  be  involved  in  the  resulting  septic  process — 
e.  g.,  in  pyemic  metastatic  abscess.  Infarction  has  been  held  by 
Black  to  occur  in  the  dental  pulp.  A  demonstration  has  been  made 
by  Hopewell-Smith.    (See  Diseases  of  the  Pulp.) 

Hemorrhage. — By  hemorrhage  is  meant  the  escape  of  blood  from 
the  vessels.  It  may  be  arterial,  venous,  or  capillary.  If  the  vessel 
is  ruptured,  it  is  hemorrhage  by  rhexis.  If  it  occurs  by  diapedesis, 
as  in  infarction  (from  veins  and  capillaries  only),  it  is  hemorrhage 
by  diapedesis.  The  diapedesis  occurs  through  the  capillary  wall 
rather  than  the  stomata;  pressure  is  the  cause.  Hemorrhage  usually 
ceases  spontaneously  through  thrombosis. 

If  hemorrhage  occurs  into  the  tissues  it  receives  the  following 
designations,  the  escape  itself  being  called  an  effusion  or  extrava- 
sation: 

Ecchymosis,  an  effusion  of  moderate  extent  into  tissue  beneath  a 
surface,  as  into  subcutaneous  tissue. 

Petechia  the  same,  but  small  and  circumscribed;  when  an  extensive 
area  is  involved  it  is  termed  a  suffusion. 

Infarction,  when  the  area  involved  is  that  supplied  by  terminal 
and  non-anastomosing  arteries. 

Hemorrhage  involves  an  injury  to  vessels  by  traumatism,  or 
disease  rendering  them  incapable  of  retaining  the  blood,  or  by 
increased  pressure,  as  in  violent  exertion,  or  in  congestion  of  local 
vessels,  as  in  venous  hyperemia,  or  as  the  result  of  diminished 
atmospheric  pressure,  as  in  high  altitudes.  The  extravasated  blood 
corpuscles  may  be  disintegrated  into  pigments  (see  p.  83),  and  be 
absorbed  or  deposited  in  the  tissues,  as  in  a  bruise;  or  excite  inflam- 
mation or  cyst  formation  (extravasation  cyst).  Acute  hemorrhages 
or  repeated  extravasations  lead  to  anemia. 

Hemorrhagic  Diathesis. — This  is  a  condition,  largely  hereditary, 
in  which  coagulation  does  not  close  wounds  readily,  and  ordinarily 
8 


114  DISTURBANCES  OF  THE  VASCULAR  SYSTEM 

trivial  wounds  may,  in  spite  of  surgical  aid,  induce  death  by  hemor- 
rhage. Hereditarj^  hemorrhagic  diatheses  (hemophiha)  is  usually 
transmitted  through  the  female  to  the  male  descendants — i.  e.,  from 
grandfather  to  grandson  through  the  grandfather's  daughter — and 
seven  or  more  generations  of  hemophiliacs  have  been  recorded.^ 
Males  suffer  more  than  females  in  the  ratio  of  about  11  to  1. 

In  a  family  of  207  members,  in  four  generations,  37  were  hemo- 
philiacs, all  of  the  male  sex,  almost  half  died  from  hemorrhages, 
usually  in  infancy,  while  the  tendency  to  bleed  lessened  as  they 
grew  older.2 

According  to  Legg,^  "It  is  of  three  degrees  of  severity: 

"1.  Characterized  by  external  and  internal  bleedings  of  every 
kind,  and  by  joint  affections. 

"2.  By  spontaneous  hemorrhages  from  mucous  membranes,  but 
no  traumatic  bleeding  or  ecchymoses,  and  no  joint  affections. 

"3.  A  tendency  simply  to  ecchymoses.  The  first  is  seen  most 
frequentty  in  men,  the  second  in  women;  the  third  may  appear 
in  either  sex." 

The  joint  affections  are  due  to  hemorrhage,  and  simulate  rheumatic 
affections.  Hemophiliacs  are  apt  to  be  thin-skinned,  neurasthenic, 
and  liable  to  sudden  flushings  and  vasomotor  disturbances.^  Blondes 
suffer  more  than  brunettes.^ 

The  injured  part  may  bleed  from  the  first,  or  a  normal  clot  may 
form  and  secondary  hemorrhage  or  capillary  oozing  occur.  Death 
may  rapidly  occur,  or  the  patient  bleed  to  fainting  or  until  almost 
dead,  and  hemorrhage  then  cease.  This  may  require  any  period, 
even  weeks. 

The  pathology  of  the  condition  is  uncertain.  Fillebrown^  reports 
a  fatal  case  in  which  the  arteries  were  excessively  thin.  Porter  points 
out  that  the  blood  may  clot  in  the  receptacle,  yet  not  in  the  small 
vessels  of  the  wound,  and  infers  that  some  hereditary  deficiency  exists 
which  interferes  with  the  action  of  the  vasoconstrictors. 

Hemophiliacs  usually  manifest  a  history  of  bleeding  before  puberty, 
and  hemophiliac  infants  have  died  from  hemorrhage  due  to  gum- 
lancing,  circumcision,  etc.  The  therapeutic  measures  indicated  are 
hemostatics  internally,  local  styptics,  compresses,  etc.  Potassium 
permanganate,  made  into  a  paste  with  vaselin,  is  recommended  as  a 
styptic.  A  solution  of  calcium  chlorid,  gr.  xxx,  and  water,  §  j,  has 
been  used  on  cotton  with  satisfaction. 

In  case  of  tooth  extraction  reimplantation  has  been  urged,  but 

1  Porter:  International  Dental  Journal,  1900.  '  Losser:    International  Journal  of  Surgery. 

'  Musser:  Medical  Diagnosis.  *  Porter:   Loc.  cit. 

5  Thompson:  Practical  Medicine.  "  International  Dental  Journal,  1900. 


COAGULATION  OF  THE  BLOOD  115 

must  be  done  under  aseptic  precaution,  as  any  infected  dead  pulp  or 
even  a  root  infected  by  contact  with  the  hands,  saUva,  etc.,  may 
substitute  a  condition  almost  as  bad  as  the  hemorrhage. 

In  a  severe  hemorrhage  upon  the  palate,  as  after  lancing  an 
abscess,  finger  pressure  may  be  used,  or,  if  necessary,  a  vulcanite 
plate  may  be  made  to  produce  the  necessary  pressure.^ 

Sodium  sulphate,  gr.  iss,  every  two  hours,  has  been  of  service  in 
marked  hemorrhages.^ 

The  following  is  useful : 

IJ — Calcii  chloridi gr.  Ixxv  to  cl 

Syrupi  menthae 3v 

Aquae  destillatae fSiiiss — M. 

Tablespoonful  doses  or  a  clyster  containing  75  grains  calcium  chloride  and  a  few  drops  of  tincture 
of  opium.' 

For  persistent  postextraction  hemorrhage,  Endelmann  has  recom- 
mended : 

IJ — Vini  ergotse,  U.  S fgij 

Sig. — Teaspoonful  every  two  hours. 

Dilute  sulphuric  acid  and  hydrastis  canadensis  are  used,  also 
gelatin  locally  and  by  injection.'*  The  gelatin  may  contain  tetanus 
spores  and  should  be  sterilized  for  forty  minutes  or  longer  at  100°  or 
120°  C.^  Suprarenal  extract,  gr.  xx  to  §  j,  topically,  gr.  x  by  mouth, 
every  four  hours,  is  also  useful.  Absolute  quiet  and  the  withholding 
of  food  for  two  days;  the  hunger  to  be  relieved  by  small  doses  of 
opium  and  thirst  by  iced  water  in  small  quantities.^  The  acute 
anemia  induced  requires  treatment. 

Individuals  known  to  be  hemophiliac  should  live  a  hygienic  life  and 
avoid  all  injuries,  however  slight,  possible  to  avoid,  in  the  hope  of  an 
eventual  outgrowing  of  the  condition.  If  operation  be  unavoidable, 
they  should  be  treated  with  calcium  chloride,  gr.  iij  ter  in  die,  for  not 
more  than  four  days,  as  thereafter  the  coagulability  of  the  blood  is 
decreased.^  Much  larger  doses,  gr.  xxx  to  §  j,  have  been  satisfactorily 
given  for  cure  and  prevention.^  P.  Emile  Weil  has  suggested  the 
injection  of  20  c.c.  of  fresh  human,  horse,  or  rabbit  serum  before 
operation,  for  the  prevention  of  hemorrhage  in  hemophiliacs,  or 
every  three  months  as  a  curative  measure.^  Certain  surgical  cases  in 
which  secondary  hemorrhages  have  been  due  to  the  action  of  the 
continuous  use  of  acetanilid  have  been  reported. 

>  Joly:  See  Dental  Cosmos,  1909,  p.  488. 

2  Reverdin:   Dental  Cosmos,  February,  1904,  p.  162.  »  Rosod:    New  York  Med.  Jour. 

*  Hare:  Practical  Therapeutics.  ^  Jour.  Amer.  Med.  Assoc. 

^  Porter:   Loc.  cit.  '  Hare:   Loc.  cit. 

8  See  Deutal  Cosmos,  1908,  p.  185.  » See  Dental  Cosmos,  1908,  p.  436, 


116  DISTURBANCES  OF  THE   VASCULAR  SYSTEM 


LOCAL  DISTURBANCES  OF  THE  CIRCULATION 

The  amount  of  blood  in  a  part  may  be  increased  or  diminished. 
The  types  of  local  disturbance  of  the  circulation  differ  as  to  causes, 
phenomena,  and  effect,  and  as  to  the  indicated  treatment  for  each. 

In  health  the  bloodvessels  are  maintained  at  a  proper  caliber 
through  the  action  of  two  sets  of  vasomotor  nerve  fibers: 

1.  The  vasoconstrictors,  which  control  the-  involuntary  muscles 
of  the  vessel  wall,  and  which,  when  stimulated,  cause  contraction  of 
the  vessel. 

2.  The  vasodilators,  which,  when  stimulated,  inhibit  the  muscular 
action  and  permit  dilatation. 

Ischemia. — This  is  local  anemia.  The  quantity  of  blood  in  a 
part  is  less  than  normal.  It  is  direct  when  some  cause  obstructs  the 
flow  from  an  artery  into  a  part,  as  when  pressure  of  any  sort  is 
applied  directly  to  a  part  or  to  the  artery  leading  to  it,  or  when  an 
injection  of  fluid  has  been  made  into  a  part,  as  in  cocain  injections. 
Disease  of  an  artery  may  deprive  a  part  of  blood,  as  in  thrombosis 
or  arteriosclerosis.  Anastomotic  circulation  may  eventually  relieve 
a  part;  if  not  it  remains  pale  and  cold,  atrophies,  and  may  undergo 
degeneration  or  necrosis.    An  infarct  may  remain  ischemic. 

Arterial  Hyperemia. — Arterial  or  active  hyperemia  is  a  more  or 
less  prolonged  increase  in  the  amount  of  blood  in  the  dilated  arteries 
of  a  part.  It  expresses  the  reaction  which  occurs  as  the  consequence 
of  the  presence  of  an  irritant,  the  action  of  which  lessens  the  arterial 
tension  and  permits  dilatation  with  a  consequent  excess  of  blood. 

Causes  .^ — The  lessened  arterial  resistance  is  produced  either  by  a 
stimulation  of  the  vasodilator  nerves  or  a  sedation  or  paralysis  of  the 
vasoconstrictor  nerves.  Certain  causes  act  to  produce  constriction  of 
the  vessels,  but  later  the  muscle  cells  of  the  walls  are  fatigued  and 
dilatation  results — e.  g.,  the  reaction  after  the  prolonged  application 
of  cold. 

The  removal  or  diminution  of  pressure,  to  which  vessels  have 
become  accustomed,  is  also  a  cause  of  their  dilatation;  often  sudden 
enough  to  cause  bursting. 

Irritants  and  mild  injuries  act  upon  the  sensory  nerves  of  a  part, 
and  by  reflex  action  through  the  vasomotors  (sympathetic  system) 
produce  hyperemia  of  the  part  itself — e.  g.,  heat  as  a  cause. 

Irritation  of  sensory  nerves  may  induce  a  reflex  hyperemia  in  other 
parts  to  which  branches  of  the  same  nerve  are  distributed — e.  g.,  the 
peripheral  hyperemia  of  neuralgia,  induced  by  irritation  of  a  tooth 
pulp. 


LOCAL  DISTURBANCES  OF  THE  CIRCULATION  117 

A  similar  effect  may  be  produced  in  deep-seated  organs  to  which 
other  nerves  are  distributed — e.  g.,  hyperemia  of  deep  organs  through 
the  appHcation  of  irritants  to  the  skin  over  them  or  hyperemia  of  the 
intestinal  wall  (tenth  nerve)  as  the  result  of  the  stimulation  of  a  pulp 
vmderlying  an  erupting  tooth  (fifth  nerve). 

Collateral  hyperemia  is  induced  by  the  diminished  flow  of  blood  to 
other  parts — e.  g.,  by  the  bandaging  of  parts  or  through  the  chilling 
of  the  surface  of  the  body.  A  part  having  a  lessened  resistance  may 
become  hyperemic. 

Compensatory  hyperemia  may  occur  through  the  removal  of  one  of 
a  pair  of  organs;  the  other  receives  the  excess  of  blood,  sometimes 
becomes  hypertrophied,  and  takes  upon  itself  an  increased  amount 
of  work.  (See  Hypertrophy.)  A  physiological  hyperemia  occurs  in 
organs  during  periods  of  activity,  the  work  required  acting  as  a 
stimulus  to  the  vasomotor  nerves. 

Arterial  hyperemia  is  produced  as  the  first  step  in  the  process  of 
inflammation,  but  can  be  independent  of  it.    (See  Inflammation.) 

Pathology. — The  arteries  are  dilated;  there  is  an  increased  flow  of 
blood  through  them  and  also  to  them  through  their  own  nutritive 
arteries;  the  pressure  in  the  veins  rises  as  the  veins  are  enlarged  to 
accommodate  the  blood.  As  exudation  sometimes  does  not  increase 
markedly,  the  lymph  pressure  is  not  increased  except  in  marked 
cases,  in  which  some  edema  may  occur.  The  function  of  the  part 
may  be  disturbed  in  the  more  marked  cases.  (For  illustrations,  see 
Hyperemia  of  the  Pulp.) 

Results. — Continued  arterial  hyperemia,  as  a  rule,  results  in  an 
increase  of  nutrition,  even  to  the  arteries  themselves  via  the  vasa 
vasorum.  The  arteries  may  be  permanently  enlarged,  their  walls 
thickened,  and  the  tissues  about  them  hypertrophied  in  consequence 
of  the  increased  capacity  for  work  in  the  part.  Hyperesthesia  of 
nerves  and  nervous  tissue  is  often  a  result.  In  marked  hyperemia 
with  function  altered  there  is  a  tendency  to  the  degenerations. 
(See  Arterial  Hyperemia  of  the  Pulp.) 

Ssrmptoms. — These  naturally  would  be  and  are  increased  redness, 
temperature,  and  sensibility;  more  or  less  throbbing  in  marked  and 
pathological  cases,  in  some  cases  swefling  and  throbbing  pain.  The 
increased  temperature  is  due  to  the  increased  oxidation. 

Degrees  of  Hyperemia. — It  is  to  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  hyper- 
emia may  be  of  several  grades,  varying  from  a  very  mild  exaltation 
of  function  and  sensation  to  a  distinctly  pathological  condition  with 
altered  function.  The  effects  may  be  constructive  in  character  or 
destructive,  the  former  due  to  the  increased  nutrition,  the  latter  to 
interference  with  it.  (See  Constructive  and  Destructive  Diseases  of 
the  Pulp.) 


118  DISTURBANCES  OF  THE   VASCULAR  SYSTEM 

Hyperemia  as  a  Resistance  to  Infection. — According  to  Biers  and 
others  the  induction  of  hyperemia  in  an  infected  part  increases  the 
opsonic  power  of  the  excess  blood,  and  therefore  is  antagonistic  of 
infection.  No  doubt  this  is  the  natural  process  in  inflammation.  It 
has  been  occasionally  noticed  that  stimulation,  as  in  the  use  of  a 
capsicum  plaster  in  acute  apical  abscess,  has  produced  resolution. 
Usually  confined  abscesses  are  enlarged  and  not  cured  by  such 
stimulation. 

Treatment. — The  principle  underlying  the  treatment  is  to  remove 
the  cause  and  procure  surgical  rest.  The  symptoms,  as  a  rule,  then 
subside  promptly.  It  may  be  that  the  conditions  require  treatment 
irrespective  of  the  cause,  which  may  not  be  determined  or  be  absent, 
the  vessels  being  dilated  as  the  effect  of  a  previously  acting  cause. 
The  effect  aimed  at  is  the  reduction  of  the  dilated  vessels.  This  is 
attempted  at  times  through  the  use  of  drugs;  for  example,  ergot 
stimulates  the  vasoconstrictor  system  and  lessens  the  caliber  of  all 
the  vessels,  including  those  affected.  Aconite,  the  antagonist  of 
ergot,  reduces  the  heart  action  by  sedating  the  motor  apparatus 
of  the  heart,  thus  reducing  the  arterial  pressure.^  Less  blood  is 
delivered  to  a  part  in  a  given  time.  Many  cases  of  superficially 
seated  hyperemia  are  amenable  to  local  treatment. 

Local  sedation  of  sensory  nerves  and  contraction  of  vessels  are  pro- 
duced by  application  of  dry  or  wet  cold  (ice  bags,  ice  wrapped  in 
muslin,  cloths  taken  in  succession  from  a  block  of  ice,  the  Leiter 
coil,  etc.);  also  by  the  application  of  sedative  astringents,  as  the 
liquor  plumbi  subacetatis  in  the  well-known  formula  of  lead-water 
and  laudanum: 

I^ — Tincturse  opii fSJ 

Liq.  plumbi  subacetatis f3j 

Aquse Oj — M. 

in  which  to  the  astringent  effect  of  the  lead  is  added  the  sedative 
effect  of  the  opium,  if  cold  sedation  and  contraction  are  added. 
,  The  principle  of  derivation  is  also  employed.  What  is  known  as 
counterirritation  is  a  common  means  of  treatment.  An  irritant  such 
as  a  mustard  plaster  or  a  blister  or  dry  cup  applied  at  a  distance  to 
the  affected  part  induces  a  flow  of  blood  to  the  point  of  application 
and  lessens  the  amount  of  blood  in  the  area  of  hyperemia.  The 
volume  of  the  blood  being  in  definite  amount,  if  an  excess  exists 
in  any  part  a  deficiency  will  be  found  in  other  parts. 
The  hot  pediluvium  acts  upon  this  principle  by  drawing  a  con- 

>  Biddle:   Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics. 


LOCAL  DISTURBANCES  OF  THE  CIRCULATION 


119 


siderable  excess  of  blood  into  the  vessels  of  the  lower  extremities. 
This  action  is  increased  by  adding  a  small  quantity  (two  or  three 
tablespoonfuls)  of  mustard  to  the  hot  water.  It  is  suggested  by 
Endelmann  that  the  water  be  at  first  only  warm  and  the  hot  water 
added  as  the  vessels  relax. ^ 

The  volume  of  the  blood  may  be  actually  reduced  and  a  derivative 
hj'peremia  of  the  sweat  glands  be  produced  by  the  use  of  diaphoretics. 
Cathartics  lessen  the  blood  volume  and  cause  mild  hyperemia  of  the 
alimentary  canal.  Diuretics  act  in  a  similar  way  upon  the  kidneys. 
In  deep-seated  hyperemia  counterirritation  is  valuable  alone  or 
conjoined  with  other  forms  of  derivation. 

Venous  Hyperemia. — Venous  (mechanical  or  passive)  hyperemia 
is  an  excess  of  blood  in  a  part  beginning  in  the  veins,  which  are 
dilated  in  the  hyperemic  area,  though  they  may  be  occluded  between 
it  and  the  heart. 

Causes. — 1.  Any  mechanical  interference  with  the  passage  of  the 
blood  through  the  veins  on  its  way  to  the  heart — e.  g.,  the  action  of 
bandages,  tumors  pressing  on  veins,  thrombi  in  veins,  etc. 

2.  Insufficiency  of  any  of  the  mechanical  forces  aiding  the  pro- 
pulsion of  the  blood  through  the  veins — e.  g.,  diminished  cardiac 
power  or  valvular  insufficiency; 
obstructions,  dilatations,  or  rigid- 
ity of  arteries;  insufficient  muscu- 
lar contraction  upon  or  valvular 
incompetency  in  veins,  or  lessened 
or  excessive  thoracic  aspiration, 
etc.  The  second  class  of  causes 
produces  a  collection  of  blood  in  the 
veins  and  a  consequent  reduction 
of  volume  in  the  arterial  s}'stem. 

Pathology.— The  veins  are  di- 
lated, the  current  is  slowed,  and 
the  intravenous  pressure  is  in- 
creased, in  consequence  of  which 
watery  (serous)  exudations  occur 
in  the  parts  about  them  (edema). 

For  the  same  reason  in  marked  cases  diapedesis  of  red  corpuscles 
may  occur  (hemorrhage  by  diapedesis),  and  their  hemoglobin  may  be 
dissolved  out.  The  blood  in  the  parts  not  being  sufficiently  changed, 
and  in  some  cases  in  a  state  of  stasis,  there  is  a  lessened  food  supply 
and  waste  removal,  and  cell  nutrition  suffers  accordingly.     Vital 


FiQ.  59 


Venous  hyperemia  of  the  liver.  Two 
capillaries  near  central  hepatic  vein,  show- 
ing the  thickening  of  the  walls  and  the 
accumulation  of  red  blood  corpuscles 
within  them.      X   500   (Green.) 


1  Dental  Cosmos,  1904 


120  DISTURBANCES  OF  THE  VASCULAR  SYSTEM 

processes  are  lessened,  secretion  is  diminished,  there  is  less  oxidation, 
and  hence  less  heat  is  produced  and  less  work  is  done.  Fatty  degener- 
ation, atrophy,  and  in  markedly  continued  cases  necrosis  may  occur. 
Long-continued  venous  hyperemia  with  great  intravenous  pressure 
may  produce  dropsies.  If  the  walls  of  the  veins  are  weak  and 
are  permanently  distended  or  thicken  under  pressure  and  become 
tortuous,  the  condition  is  called  varicosity  of  the  veins  (varicose 
veins).  The  exudate  of  venous  hyperemia  differs  markedly  from 
that  of  inflammation.^ 

Htperemic  Exudate  Inflammatory  Exudate 

Poor  in  albumin.  Rich  in  albumin. 

Rarely  coagulates  in  the  tissue.  Usually  coagulates  in  the  tissue. 

Contains  few  cells.  Contains  numerous  cells. 

Low  specific  gravity.  High  specific  gravity. 

Contains  no  peptone.  Contains  peptone  (product  of  cell  disintegration) . 

This  is  probably  due  to  an  increased  permeability  in  the  vessel  wall 
in  inflammation  permitting  the  albumin  of  the  blood  to  pass  through. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  consists  of  the  removal  of  the  mechan- 
ical obstruction  to  the  return  of  the  blood  and  mechanical  support 
of  the  engorged  vessels,  with  a  view  to  recovery  of  the  tone  of  their 
muscular  walls.  This  latter  is  accomplished  by  means  of  elastic 
bandages  or  compresses,  and  in  situations  in  which  these  cannot  be 
used  astringents  may  be  employed.  The  part  is  elevated,  when 
possible,  to  aid  in  the  return  of  the  blood  to  the  heart.  In  certain 
circumstances,  as  in  an  engorged  tooth  pulp,  actual  depletion  of  the 
engorged  part  must  be  resorted  to  by  bloodletting.  (See  Destructive 
Diseases  of  the  Pulp.)  In  cases  due  to  failure  of  blood-propelling 
forces  these  are  to  have  appropriate  treatment. 


INFLAMMATION 

Inflammation  may  be  defined  as  a  series  of  hyperemic  changes 
expressive  of  the  reaction  of  living  tissue  to  irritation,  and  character- 
ized chiefly  by  an  excessive  diapedesis  of  leukocytes  and  exudation 
of  coagulable  lymph  from  the  bloodvessels. 

Causes. — Any  irritant  or  injury  capable  of  producing  a  lesion  of  the 
bloodvessel  wall  not  involving  its  immediate  death  can  produce 
inflammation.  In  case  direct  death  is  produced,  the  inflammation, 
if  any,  occurs  in  the  tissue  contiguous  to  the  dead  part. 

The  causes  of  inflammation  may  be  divided  first  into  non-septic 
and  septic  or  infective.    The  non-septic  causes  may  be  extrinsic  or 

1  Park's  Surgery. 


INFLAMMATION  121 

intrinsic.  The  extrinsic  non-septic  causes  are:  (1)  Physical  irritants, 
such  as  violence,  mechanical  irritation,  pressure  or  traumatism, 
excessive  heat  or  cold,  and  electrolytic  action.  (2)  Chemical  irritants 
— e.  g.,  the  action  of  acids,  caustics,  etc.  (3)  Nervous  or  vital 
irritants — e.  g.,  rubefacients,  epispastics,  arsenic,  etc.  These  act 
only  on  living  tissue  through  the  medium  of  the  nerves. 

An  intrinsic  non-septic  cause  may  produce  inflammation — e.  g., 
urates  in  tissue,  mechanical  strains  upon  tissue,  temporary  lack  of 
blood  in  a  vessel  or  central  nervous  disturbance,  as  in  herpes  from 
locomotor  ataxia. 

Non-septic  causes,  as  a  rule,  produce  only  such  mild  inflammatory 
phenomena  as  are  concerned  in  circumvallation'  of  an  irritant, 
absorption  of  it,  and  in  repair  or  production  of  new  tissue.  No 
pus  is  produced  unless  pyogenic  bacteria  gain  ingress.  This  class 
of  inflammation  is  termed  simple  inflammation. 

Septic  or  Infective  Causes. — These  are  fungi  or  their  products, 
and  the  classes  of  inflammations  produced  are  much  more  severe, 
continuous,  and  destructive  in  their  nature,  and  are  termed  infective 
inflammations. 

Pathology  of  Simple  Inflammation. — If  to  the  web  of  a  frog's  foot 
tincture  of  capsicum  be  applied,  or  if  its  mesentery  be  exposed  to  the 
air,  and  either  be  examined  under  the  microscope  while  the  animal  is 
living,  it  is  noted  that  after  a  possible  short  period  of  contraction  of 
the  arterioles  dilatation  of  arteries  at  once  begins  and  is  gradually 
followed  by  dilatation  of  the  veins  and  capillaries.  This  continues 
to  steadily  increase  for  about  twelve  hours.  During  the  first  hour 
of  this  period  the  blood  current  is  accelerated  and  the  first  stage 
of  an  inflammation  is  thus  an  arterial  hyperemia.  Following  this 
acceleration  the  blood  flow  is  increasingly  retarded.  The  retardation 
is  due  to  the  action  of  the  leukocytes,  large  numbers  of  the  mono- 
nuclear and  polymorphonuclear  forms  of  which  fall  out  of  the  central 
blood  stream  into  the  periaxial  stream  and  collect  along  the  walls  of 
the  small  veins  (Fig.  60,  h).  Several  layers  of  leukocytes  may  thus 
form.  Probably  some  peculiar  attraction  exists  between  the  leuko- 
cytes and  the  wall  of  the  vessel,  or  a  positive  chemotaxis  exists  as  in 
infective  inflammation. 

This  massing  of  leukocytes  compels  the  red  corpuscles  to  the 
centre  of  the  stream  (Fig.  60,  a),  and  their  passage  is  mechanically 
interfered  with;  thus  the  further  dilatation  of  the  vessel  becomes 
a  process  of  venous  hyperemia.  The  vessels  are  increased  in  size 
and  length  and  become  more  tortuous.     Pulsation  is  noted. 

Coincident  with  retardation  of  the  blood  flow,  the  leukocytes  are 
seen  to  work  their  way  by  an  ameboid  movement  through  the  walls 


122 


DISTURBANCES  OF  THE  VASCULAR  SYSTEM 


of  the  veins  and  to  some  extent  of  the  capillaries  into  the  perivascular 
spaces — i.  e.,  into  the  adjoining  tissue — in  which  they  may  move  far 
from  their  point  of  escape  and  mass  about  the  irritant  if  one  be 
present.  This  process  is  called  emigration  (Fig.  60,  e).  At  the  same 
time  a  fluid  rich  in  albumin,  and  thus  capable  of  coagulation,  escapes 
by  the  same  route  into  the  tissue  (Fig.  61).  Some  red  corpuscles 
also  escape  through  the  walls  (diapedesis)  (Fig.  60,  c).  While 
inflammation  involves  an  arterial  hyperemia  as  its  first  stage  and 
a  venous  hyperemia  as  its  second  stage,  these  two  conditions  are 
not  necessarily  inflammation,  and  may  exist  as  entirely  distinct 
conditions  when  produced  by  causes  not  leading  to  inflammation; 
also,  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  results  of  venous  hyperemia 
or  infarction  (e.  g.,  extravasation)  may  lead  to  a  subsequent  inflam- 
mation.    This  does  not  make  them  identical. 


Fig.  60 


Small  vein  in  mesentery  of  dog,  after  exposure  for  half  an  hour  and  irrigation  with  salt  solution: 
a,  red  corpuscles;  &,  leukocytes  adhering  to  wall  of  vein;  c,  red  corpuscles;  d,  leukocytes  which 
have  escaped  from  vessel;  e,  leukocyte  in  act  of  escaping;  /,  fibrous  tissue.  X  340.  Modified  from 
Thoma.     (Green.) 


As  the  venous  hyperemia  of  the  inflammation  increases,  the  flow 
of  red  corpuscles  in  the  veins  is  increasingly  retarded  until  stopped, 
when  a  to-and-fro  motion  (oscillation)  begins.  Finally  all  motion 
ceases,  diapedesis  ceases,  and  stasis  is  complete.  This  blood  may 
remain  fluid  in  the  vessel  for  several  days  {i.  e.,  without  coagulation), 
and  if  the  blood  flow  be  reestablished  the  separate  red  corpuscles  are 


INFLAMMATION  123 

seen  one  by  one  to  roll  away  from  the  general  mass  until  all  are  in 
movement  and  stasis  ceases.    (Thoma.) 

Coagulation  (thrombosis)  may,  however,  occur  in  the  vessels 
involved  in  the  stasis,  and  the  part  be  later  removed  through  the 
process  of  resorption.  (See  Resorption  of  Clot.)  With  the  inflam- 
mation fully  established  there  are  in  the  tissue  the  following  elements: 
(1)  Leukocytes  and  some  red  corpuscles  and  lymphocytes  from  the 
tissue  lymphatics.  (2)  Coagulable  lymph.  (3)  Later  new  embryonic 
cells  formed  by  mitosis  from  preexisting  connective-tissue  cells 
which  surround  the  leukocytes  massed  about  the  irritant.  These 
are  fibroblasts  ready  to  form  scar  tissue — i.  e.,  they  are  the  elements 
composing  granulation  tissue. 

The  disposition  of  these  elements  of  inflammation  is  as  follows: 
The  leukocytes  mass  about  the  irritant,  exert  a  certain  amount  of 
phagocytic  activity  (ferment  action),  and  may  in  turn  be  injured, 
liberating  fibrin  ferment,  which,  acting  upon  the  fibrinogen  of  the 
lymph,  produces  fibrin,  which  in  turn  forms  a  coagulum.  This 
coagulum  blocks  the  lymphatic  vessels  leading  from  the  part 
involved,  thus  causing  a  retention  of  fluid  in  the  tissue. 

In  the  later  stages  of  non-infective  inflammation  the  tissue  cells 
undergo  multiplication,  forming  cells  larger  and  having  more  power 
of  ameboid  movement  and  phagocytosis  than  the  leukocytes.  These 
become  mingled  with  the  leukocytes  in  the  area  of  inflammation. 
They  are  fibroblasts  from  w'hich  all  the  connective  tissues  develop, 
and  to  the  action  of  which  regeneration  is 
mainly  due.    Around  and  about  the  focus  ^"'-  ^^ 

of  inflammation  the  bloodvessels  are  in  a     ^^-^...^rt-^^/''""''^"'^'''^— . 
condition  of  arterial  hyperemia,  and  about        ~^^^  '"     -  "^^  :'=^   s^ 
this  is  an  area  of  normal  tissue.     These     ^^ 
areas    shade  off   into   each  other.^     The      "  ^ 

phagocytes  cause  dissolution  of  coagula 
and  dead  aseptic  tissue,  and  remove  them. 
If  the  irritant  be  thus  removable  it  is 

eaten   awav.       If  the  dead   tissue   be   super-  inflammatory   edema    of     skin. 

ficial,  the  Connection  with  the  living  tissue    ,^,td  S  ZZ  /.TxT^ 

beneath  is  eaten  through  and  the  latter    (Boyd.) 

thrown   off.      If    the    superficial    tissues  . 

have  been  previously   removed,   the  wound  is  covered   with  the 

exudates  and  leukocytes,  which  dry  into  a  scab,   beneath  which 

regeneration  occurs.    If  inflammation  occur  in  a  mucous  surface,  the 

Fig.  64  serves  to  illustrate  these  areas,  excepting  the  fact  that  the  central  area  of  pus  ia 
absent  and  occupied  entirely  by  an  area  there  termed  lesser  inflammation — i.  e.,  translate 
lesser  inflammation  into  simple  inflammation. 


124 


DISTURBANCES  OF  THE  VASCULAR  SYSTEM 


exudate  and  corpuscles  escape  from  the  submucous  tissue  between 
the  epithelial  cells  as  a  catarrhal  discharge  (Fig.  62).  If  the  inflam- 
matory exudate  be  highly  coagulable  and  coagulate,  firm  swelling  is 
caused,  apt  to  lead  to  organization  of  tissue,  hence  called  fibrinous 
inflammation.  If  it  be  productive  of  hypertrophy,  it  is  called  pro- 
ductive inflammation.  If  the  exudate  be  watery,  poor  in  albumin, 
and  hence  not  readily  coagulable,  the  inflammation  is  called  serous 
inflammation. 

In  the  later  stages  of  simple  inflammation  the  coagula  are  dissolved, 
the  leukocytes  undergo  fatty  degeneration,  and  both  are  absorbed, 
together  with  such  tissue  as  has  undergone  liquefaction.  The  lym- 
phocytes and  embryonic  cells  push  into  the  area  and  regenerate  the 
tissue.    This  is  the  phenomenon  of  resolution. 


Fig.  62 


Acute  bronchial  catarrh:     Passage  of  leukocytes  through  the  epithelium  of  the  bronchus 
between  the  ciliated  cells.      X  700.     (Thoma.) 


Symptoms  of  Simple  Inflammation. — These  are: 

1 .  Redness  due  to  the  excess  of  blood  in  the  vessels  and  in  the  tissue. 
In  some  cases  the  part  may  have  a  dusky  hue.  The  color  is  deepest 
in  the  area  of  greatest  stasis. 


INFLAMMATION  125 

2.  Heat  due  to  the  increased  oxidation  in  the  area  of  hyperemia 
about  the  area  of  stasis.  It  has  been  shown  that  there  is  no  increased 
heat  in  the  area  of  stasis.    In  this  area  chemical  action  is  lessened. 

3.  Swelliny  due  to  the  excess  of  blood  in  the  vessels,  the  exudates 
of  leukocytes  and  fluid,  and  the  multiplication  of  tissue  cells.  The 
hardness  of  a  swelling  is  due  to  coagulation  of  the  fluid  exudate. 

4.  Pain. — The  result  of  the  pressure  of  the  effusion  upon  sensory 
nerve  terminals ;  it  is  frequently  throbbing  in  correspondence  with  the 
heart  beat ;  the  impulse  causes  temporarily  increased  pressure  upon 
the  nerve  terminals.  Gravitation  also  increases  the  pressure  and 
pain  in  a  dependent  part — e.  g.,  in  a  hand  or  foot  or  in  recumbency 
in  case  of  pulpitis  (which  see). 

5.  Impaired  function  is  an  evident  result  of  a  disturbance  involving 
such  pathological  phenomena  as  have  been  described.  The  part 
cannot  be  used  owing  to  pain  and  stiffness  due  to  the  swelling,  also 
nutrition  of  any  part  being  impaired,  it  loses  its  normal  function. 

There  are  no  general  disturbances  in  simple  inflammation  beyond  a 
slight  traumatic  fever  due  to  absorption  of  some  aseptic  material  from 
the  seat  of  inflammation — e.  g.,  fibrin  ferment.^  There  may,  however, 
be  general  disturbance  due  to  pain,  loss  of  sleep,  appetite,  etc.  Shock 
due  to  widespread  inflammation,  as  from  burns,  may  be  serious. 

Infective  Inflammation.  —  If  microorganisms  enter  the  tissue 
through  a  wound  or  puncture  or  an  abraded  surface,  or  if  they  locate 
upon  predisposed  or  non-resistant  mucous  membrane,  their  multi- 
plication causes  irritation  and  inflammation  of  the  tissue  about  them. 
This  at  first  resembles  a  simple  inflammation,  but  later  becomes 
more  severe,  prolonged,  and  may  spread  into  the  surrounding  tissue, 
or  in  some  cases  cause  inflammation  in  another  place  in  no  way 
connected  with  it  except  by  the  blood  or  lymphatic  channels  (metas- 
tasis). Briefly  the  process  may  be  described  as  beginning  with  the 
entrance  or  location  of  the  organisms  and  their  multiplication.  An 
injury  of  the  vessel  walls  and  degeneration  of  some  tissue  occur 
and  the  phenomena,  such  as  occur  in  simple  inflammation,  begin. 
There  is  arterial  hyperemia,  later  retardation  of  the  blood  current; 
diapedesis  of  leukocytes  occurs,  and  a  copious  exudate  of  coagulable 
lymph  is  poured  out  into  the  intravascular  tissue.  By  positi\'e 
chemotaxis  the  leukocytes  are  attracted  to  the  bacteria,  surround 
them,  and  apparently  endeavor  to  limit  their  activity,  or,  perhaps,  to 
digest  them.  If  the  bacteria  be  few  in  number  and  not  too  virulent, 
the  phagocytes  are  successful  and  the  phenomena  of  resolution  occur. 
If,  however,  the  contrary  be  the  case,  the  leukocytes  are  overcome 

'  Green's  Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. 


126  DISTURBANCES  OF  THE  VASCULAR  SYSTEM 

and  the  inflammation  spreads.  In  case  of  much  toxin  formation, 
negative  chemotaxis  occurs  and  phagocytic  phenomena  are  held  in 
abeyance.  The  central  or  most  involved  area  dies.  It  is  thus  seen 
that  there  may  be  two  terminations  of  an  infective  inflammation — 
resolution  and  necrosis. 

Resolution. — If  the  phagocytes  destroy  or  wall  up  the  bacteria, 
so  that  they  die  in  their  own  products  or  are  killed  by  the  protective 
juices  of  the  part  (alexins),  the  phagocytes  undergo  fatty  degenera- 
tion, the  lymphatics  are  unblocked,  the  circulation  is  reestablished, 
the  tissue  that  has  died  is  removed  by  resorption  and  replaced  by 
scar  tissue  if  the  loss  be  considerable.  No  evident  pus  or  externally 
evident  necrosis  is  produced,  and  the  part  exhibits  phenomena  much 
like  those  of  a  simple  inflammation.  This  is  the  only  termination 
for  a  simple  (non-infective)  inflammation. 

Necrosis. — Death  of  a  part  may  result  from  infective  inflamma- 
tion, either  with  or  without  pus  formation. 

Suppuration. — If  the  irritant  in  the  tissue  consists  of  pyogenic 
organisms,  such  as  the  Staphylococcus  pyogenes  aureus  or  albus,  the 
Streptococcus  pyogenes,  the  Bacillus  pyocyaneus.  Bacillus  typhi 
abdominalis.  Bacterium  pneumoniae,  or  the  gonococcus,  pus  will 
be  formed,  provided  the  germs  be  not  killed.  The  Staphylococcus 
pyogenes  aureus  is  most  frequently  the  organism  infecting  wounds. 
It  is  practically  universal. 

Entering  a  part,  the  bacteria  distributed  in  the  tissue  act  as  irritants 
and  excite  the  phenomena  of  inflammation  as  described.  Some  of 
the  cocci  are  ta,ken  up  by  the  fixed  connective-tissue  corpuscles,  the 
leukocytes,  and  the  endothelial  cells  of  the  capillaries,  and  some  lie 
free  in  the  tissue.  The  cocci  multiply  and  the  polymorphonuclear  and 
eosinophile  leukocytes  increase  in  number  by  diapedesis  and  surround 
them.  The  original  tissue  cells,  including  those  of  the  bloodvessels, 
undergo  coagulation  necrosis  as  the  result  of  the  action  of  bacterial 
ferments  and  do  not  take  up  staining  reagents  (Fig.  63) .  Coagulation 
of  the  exudates  occurs.  The  leukocytes  and  tissue  cells  are  in  part 
degenerated  into  pus  corpuscles  by  the  action  of  the  unorganized 
ferments  of  the  bacteria — i.  e.,  their  nuclei  are  fragmented,  and  they 
undergo  fatty  degeneration.  Some  cocci  die.  The  exudate  is  pep- 
tonized into  a  fluid,  which,  together  with  the  cocci,  dead  leukocytes, 
and  tissue  remnants,  constitutes  pus.  About  this  pus  is  a  circum- 
vallating  wall  of  living  leukocytes,  and  about  this  again  a  zone  of 
fibroblasts  arranged  about  new  capillary  loops  (granulation  tissue). 
The  whole  constitutes,  when  confined  within  tissue,  an  abscess. 
When  upon  a  surface  the  granulation  tissue  is  upon  the  under  side 
only,  and  the  whole  constitutes  a  suppurating  ulcer. 


INFLAMMATION 


127 


While  the  leukocytes  may  overcome  the  bacteria,  the  reverse  is 
often  the  case,  and  the  pus  cavity  enlarges  in  the  same  manner  as  at 


Fig.  63 


Miliary  abscess  in  a  case  of  septic  embolism  of  the  kidney,  a,  leukocytes  advancing  toward 
and  surrounding  (b)  a  mass  of  cocci,  in  whose  neighborhood  all  trace  of  structure  has  disappeared; 
c,  renal  epithelium  too  damaged  by  bacterial  products  to  take  the  stain;  d,  kidney  tissue  staining 
normally;  e,  vein  from  which  leukocytes  are  making  their  way  to  the  commencing  abscess.  X  100. 
(Green.) 

first  by  a  new  formation  of  coagulation  necrosis,  more  circumvallation, 
further  liquefaction  of  the  coagulum,  etc.  The  path  offering  the  least 
vital  or  mechanical  resistance  is  usually  followed  until  the  surface  of 


128  DISTURBANCES  OF   THE   VASCULAR  SYSTEM 

the  body  or  some  internal  cavity  is  reached.  The  last  portion  of 
tissue  overlying  the  forming  pus  is  tumefied  and  a  soft,  yellow  spot 
appears.  This  is  called  pointing.  The  tissue  is  ruptured  by  the 
internal  pressure  and  the  pus  escapes.  The  tract  from  the  point  to  the 
abscess  cavity  is  sl  fistula  or  sinus.  As  soon  as  this  occurs  granulation 
tissue  springs  up  upon  the  sides  of  the  abscess  cavity  and  usually 
soon  fills  it  with  scar  tissue.  (See  Regeneration.)  If  the  cause  con- 
tinues to  act,  as,  for  example,  in  case  of  a  portion  of  dead  and  septic 
bone  beneath  soft  tissue,  a  gangrenous  pulp  in  a  tooth  root  or  infected 
crypts  of  the  abscess  walls,  the  granulation  tissue  breaks  down,  and 
the  condition  is  one  of  ulceration  or  a  chronic  abscess  with  a  fistula. 
If,  in  the  course  of  abscess  formation,  bone  be  encountered  by  the 


An  abscess  in  the  skin.  The  horny  layer  has  largely  disappeared,  and  the  Malpighian  layer 
is  pushed  upward  by  the  subjacent  abscess  (a).  The  mass  of  pus  corpuscles  is  just  breaking  down 
to  form  a  ca\dty  (P),  the  walls  of  which  are  thickljf  infiltrated  with  similar  cells  or  the  area  of 
stasis  (S).  Outside  is  the  area  of  lesser  inflammation  {LI),  and  still  farther  away  are  the  areas 
of  arterial  hyperemia  (  ff)  and  normality  (N.T).     Interpretation  modified  by  editor.     (Boyd.) 


pus,  it  may  be  and  often  is  molecularly  broken  down  into  pus.  (See 
Acute  Apical  Abscess.)  It  does  not  always  happen  that  the  pus  finds 
escape  either  naturally  or  through  surgical  aid;  the  patient  may  die 
before  this  occurs,  or  the  tissues  around  the  seat  of  pus  formation 
may  form  a  boundary  wall  which  the  organisms  fail  to  break  down 
and  thus  die  starved  out.  The  abscess  contents  undergo  changes 
resulting  in  caseation,  or  later  the  mass  may  calcify.  (See  pp.  78 
and  82.)  The  Streptococci  pyogenes  may  multiply  laterally,  follow- 
ing the  subcutaneous  cellular  tissue,  and  produce  violent  spreading 
inflammation  with  but  little  pus  formation — e.  g.,  some  forms  of 
apical  abscess  and  erysipelas. 

The  products  (toxins)  from  an  abscess  or  infective  inflammation 
may  find  their  way  into  the  blood,  and  a  general  toxemia  result,  or  the 


INFLAMMATION  129 

organisms  themselves  may  enter  the  blood  and  a  general  infection 
result  (septicemia).'  There  are  various  varieties  of  pus  which  have 
names  describing  the  chief  characteristics: 

Creamy  pws  is  the  erroneously  called  laudable  pus  associated  with 
an  acute  abscess  or  ulcer  which  progresses,  as  a  rule,  toward  a  cure. 
It  is  of  a  yellowish-white  color,  creamy  consistency,  and  without 
odor. 

Curdy  pus  contains  flakes. 

Ichorous  pus  is  thin,  odorous,  and  irritating. 

Mucopus  is  pus  containing  mucus. 

Seropus  is  pus  containing  much  serum. 

Sanious  pus  contains  blood. 

Cause. — The  cause  of  suppuration  is  the  development  in  tissues  of 
pyogenic  organisms.  The  action  of  these  causes  is  favored  by  the 
presence  in  the  part  of  a  hyperemia  or  simple  inflammation,  such  as 
the  injury  introducing  the  organisms  may  cause.  These  as  well  as 
depraved  or  debilitated  tissues  favor  the  action  of  bacteria — i.  e.,  act 
as  predispositions. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  suppuration  are  both  general  and 
local. 

Local  Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  inflammation,  redness,  heat, 
pain,  and  swelling  occur,  but  usually  much  aggravated.  The  pain  is 
often  of  a  lancinating  character,  sudden  darts  often  following  com- 
parative quiescence.  On  the  other  hand,  the  throbbing  pain  may 
be  continuous  and  intense,  especially  when  the  pus  is  confined  by  bone 
or  tense  tissues,  as  in  the  case  of  a  felon  or  an  acute  apical  abscess. 
Recalling  that  around  the  pus  area  there  is  an  area  of  stasis,  next  one 
of  active  but  lesser  inflammation,  and  about  that  hyperemic,  then 
normal  tissue  (Fig.  64),  one  may  judge  of  the  degree  of  involvement 
of  deeper  parts  by  the  appearance  of  the  surface  above  them.  Thus, 
for  example,  hyperemia  at  the  surface  indicates  inflammatory  action 
directly  beneath,  with  a  pus  cavity  still  deeper,  while  inflammation 
at  the  surface,  together  with  hardness  and  tumefaction,  shows  a  more 
involved  condition  of  the  tissue  directly  beneath  it — i.  e.,  a  more 
advanced  state  of  inflammation  or  even  of  suppuration. 

The  softening  of  the  apex  of  the  swelling  gives  a  feeling  of  lessened 
resistance,  indicating  pointing  or  pus  at  the  surface.  In  large,  super- 
ficial abscesses  the  sensation  known  as  fluctuation  may  be  obtained  by 
placing  one  finger  on  one  side  of  the  swelling  and  gently  tapping  upon 
the  other.  Yellowness  of  the  apex,  together  with  softness,  indicates 
that  the  abscess  is  about  to  discharge  its  contents.  A  fistula  or  sinus 
upon  the  surface  is  indicative  of  a  discharged  abscess,  and  leads  to  a 
pus-forming  area  beneath  (chronic  abscess). 


130 


DISTURBANCES  OF  THE   VASCULAR  SYSTEM 


General  Symptoms. — If  toxemia  be  produced  there  may  be  chills, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  fever  as  high  as  104°  F.  A  full,  bounding  pulse 
accompanies  this,  the  patient  is  constipated,  has  a  coated  tongue,  is 
exhausted  by  loss  of  sleep  and  often  disturbed  nutrition  due  to  the 
pain.  There  may  be  other  evidences  of  septic  intoxication,  which 
may  become  profound.    (See  Septic  Intoxication.) 

Leukocytosis  after  surgical  disease  is  considered  pathognomonic 
of  suppuration,  the  count  running  up  to  15,000  or  20,000  per  cubic 
millimeter.    (See  p.  109.) 

Ulceration. — The  development  of  microorganisms  upon  a  free 
surface  causes  tissue  degeneration  and  death,  as  described  under 
Abscess. 

Numerous  forms  of  pathogenic  organisms  are  capable  of  causing 
tissue  degeneration  and  death  of  a  mucous  or  skin  surface.  If  infec- 
tion take  place  through  a  hair  follicle,  or  if  organisms  develop  upon  an 


Fig.  65 


Tuberculous  ulcer  of  the  intestine:  a,  mucosa;  I,  submucosal  c,  muscularis;  g,  ulcer;  t,  tubercle 
in  the  mucosa;  t',  focus  caseating  in  the  middle.      X  12. 


abrasion,  or  in  the  epithehum  in  conditions  of  general  or  local  debility, 
the  epithelium  is  destroyed  over  an  area,  and  in  the  subepithelial 
tissues  the  organisms  multiply  and  cause  tissue  loss.  If  the  organisms 
be  pyogenic — and  ulcerous  surfaces  are  usually  infected  by  these 
bodies — pus  is  formed  (Fig.  65).  Under  some  conditions,  as  in 
debilitated  and  neglected  children,  the  ulcerous  process  may  spread 
rapidly,  as  in  the  cheek  in  cancrum  oris;  or  when  specific  bacilli, 
which  excite  much  swelling  and  quick  death  of  the  tissues  of  the 
cheek,  proliferate,  causing  the  condition  called  noma. 

Prognosis. — Abscesses  tend,  as  a  rule,  to  spontaneous  cure  without 
marked  systemic  disturbance.  If  the  pus  discharge  persist  after 
evacuation  of  the  abscess,  persistence  of  the  cause,  or  infection  of  the 
abscess  walls  through  reinfection  or  by  retention  of  bacteria  in  the 
crypts,  is  to  be  suspected.  The  occurrence  of  rigors  (chills)  and  high 
fever  is  a  danger  signal.    A  fluttering,  weak  pulse  and  clammy  extrem- 


INFLAMMATION  131 

ities  indicate  profound  septic  intoxication,  and  are  indications  for 
local  disinfection  and  systemic  treatment. 

Treatment  of  Inflammation. — If  the  cause  of  inflammation  be  in 
evidence  it  must  be  removed ;  good  examples  of  removable  causes  are 
a  splinter  in  the  flesh,  a  gangrenous  tooth  pulp,  etc.  Ordinarily  the 
pus  of  an  abscess  or  an  ulcer  contains  the  cause  (bacteria)  within  it; 
therefore  the  pus  should  be  removed  by  opening  the  abscess,  if  its 
situation  can  be  determined,  after  which  the  pus  cavity  is  syringed  out 
with  germicides,  which  destroy  the  pus  and  the  organisms.  Hydrogen 
dioxide  in  3  per  cent,  aqueous  solution  is  commonly  used;  it  is  made 
more  effective  by  the  addition  of  mercuric  chloride  (1  to  1000). 

In  ulceration  the  pus  and  organisms  are  destroyed  in  a  similar 
manner,  though  at  times  sloughing  tissue  requires  removal  by  the 
curette,  caustic  agents,  or  by  digesting  agents,  as  caroid,  papoid, 
brewers'  yeast,^  etc. 

Dead  bone  acts  as  a  septic  irritant  and  requires  removal,  and  at 
times  an  abscess  will  remain  persistently  infected,  requiring  surgical 
removal  of  tissue.  The  abscess  or  ulcer,  if  protected  from  further 
infection,  usually  heals  by  formation  of  granulation  tissue.  A  deeply 
seated  abscess  may  require  to  be  packed  with  antiseptic  gauze  (noso- 
phen),  in  order  that  it  may  granulate  from  the  bottom  out,  otherwise 
a  small  orifice  may  heal,  permitting  a  re-collection  of  pus  beneath. 

Ulcers  are  usually  dusted  with  antiseptic  powders,  iodoform,  aristol, 
or  nosophen,  which  cause  drying  of  the  surface  and  prevent  the  access 
or  action  of  organisms.  Under  certain  circumstances  the  presence  of 
suppuration  is  not  certain,  though  phlegmonous  (spreading)  inflam- 
mation is  somewhat  pathognomonic  of  it.  In  such  cases  hot,  moist 
applications,  such  as  hot  poultices,  soften  the  surface  above  the 
abscess  and  determine  its  direction  of  discharge,  thus  limiting  burrow- 
ing. Counterirritants  applied  directly  above  the  inflamed  area  also 
hasten  in  such  cases.  The  stimulation  may  aid  resorption  (destruc- 
tion by  phagocytosis)  of  the  pus  and  resolution  occur.^  The  vascular 
engorgement  in  an  inflamed  part  may  be  reduced  by  local  bloodletting. 

Nancrede  found,  on  dividing  a  vein  upon  the  distal  side  of  an  area 
of  inflammation,  that  after  a  brief  period  the  flow  of  blood  was 
established  through  the  inflamed  area.  Local  bloodletting  by 
leeches  (Gensmer)  produced  even  more  marked  effects.  Drugs  which 
stimulate  the  vasoconstrictors  (ergot),  and  those  which  paralyze  the 
constrictors  (aconite),  lessen  the  blood  pressure  in  the  inflamed  area; 
so  that  if  administered  in  the  early  stages  of  inflammation  they  may 
modify  its  severity.    If,  on  the  contrary,  they  are  administered  after 

i  Park's  Surgery.  2  Ibid. 


132  DISTURBANCES  OF  THE   VASCULAR  SYSTEM 

stasis  occurs,  they  increase  the  stasis — ergot  actively  and  aconite 
passively.  If  the  flow  of  blood  through  the  inflamed  area  be  reestab- 
lished by  local  bloodletting,  then  the  arterial  sedatives  are  distinctly 
useful  in  lessening  the  flow  of  blood  to  the  part. 

When,  owing  to  vascular  engorgement,  throbbing  pain  is  a  promi- 
nent symptom,  applications  of  cold  are  useful  in  lessening  the  caliber 
of  vessels  and  in  relieving  pain.  But  if  there  be  firm  exudation  and 
marked  stasis,  cold  is  a  detriment.  Heat  then  gives  relief  through 
inducing  a  more  free  flow  of  blood  in  the  collateral  circulation.  Very 
hot  applications  act  as  do  cold  applications,  by  causing  contraction  of 
vessels,  and  may  be  used  to  abort  an  inflammation. 

In  certain  situations,  as  in  case  of  an  inflamed  tooth  pulp,  sedative 
applications,  antiphlogistics,  are  required.  Conjoined  with  local 
measures  of  reducing  vascular  engorgement,  the  use  of  counter- 
irritants  and  general  derivatives  are  indicated.  (See  Treatment  of 
Hyperemia.) 

General  sedatives  are  at  times  demanded  for  the  relief  of  pain. 
Morphin  used  in  small  and  continued  doses  not  only  relieves  pain, 
but  causes  a  contraction  of  small  vessels.  Other  anodynes  are  also 
used  in  this  connection,  as  acetanilid.  Quinin  and  salol  are  useful 
as  correctives  of  the  intestinal  disturbance,  and  mercuric  chlorid  in 
small  doses  is  useful  as  a  preventive  of  general  infection.  (See  Acute 
Apical  Abscess.) 


REGENERATION  OF  TISSUES 

Connective  tissues  that  have  been  lost  by  inflammatory  process  or 
operation  are  replaced  by  granulation  tissue  arising  by  mitotic  division 
of  cells  of  the  connective-tissue  group.  The  forms  of  healing  are  by 
first  intention,  second  intention  or  granulation,  healing  under  a  scab, 
and  healing  under  a  clot.  Epithelial  tissues  are  replaced  only  by 
multiplication  of  epithelial  cells.  The  forms  of  healing  are  practically 
alike  by  formation  of  granulation  tissue,  the  form  being  simply  a 
modification  (of  extent)  of  healing  by  second  intention. 

Healing  by  Second  Intention  or  Granulation. — -Shortly  after  evacu- 
ation of  pus  from  an  abscess  the  process  of  repair  is  instituted.  The 
leukocytes  come  to  the  surface  of  the  wound  in  great  numbers;  some 
of  these  may  degenerate  into  pus  cells.  Immediately  beneath  the 
uninjured  connective-tissue  cells  multiply,  forming  embryonic  cells 
(fibroblasts) ;  at  the  same  time  the  endothelial  cells  of  the  capillaries 
multiply  at  points,  throwing  out  solid-pointed  projections  or  buds 
from  the  sides  of  the  capillaries  (Fig.  66,  b).    These  lengthen  and 


REGENERATION  OF  TISSUES 


133 


join  buds  from  other  capillaries  (Fig.  66,  c,  d,  e).  By  mitosis  the 
nuclei  divide  horizontally,  lying  side  by  side  (Fig.  66,  d) .  Later  these 
separate  into  two  cells,  discovering  a  lumen  into  which  blood  enters 


Fig.  66 


Regeneration  of  capillary  bloodvessels:  a,  normal  capillaries;  6,  capillary  process;  c,  new  capil- 
lary appearing  in  divided  process;  d,  process  undergoing  division;  e,  connecting  cell  in  which  no 
sign  of  division  has  yet  appeared.     Diagrammatic.     (Green.) 


Fig.  67 


A  granulating  surface:  o,  layer  of  pus;  b,  granulation  tissue  with  loops  of  bloodvessels; 
c,  commencing  development  of  the  granulation  tissue  into  a  fibrillated  structure.  X  200. 
Diagrammatic.     (Rindfieisch  ) 


134 


DISTURBANCES  OF   THE   VASCULAR  SYSTEM 


from  the  parent  capillary  (Fig.  66,  a',  c).     In  this  manner  loops  are 
formed,  about  which  the  fibroblasts  are  arranged  (Figs.  67  and  68). 

Together  these  form  minute  red  elevations  upon  the  surface  of  the 
abscess  cavity  or  wound,  called  granulations.  Repeated,  the  process 
gradually  fills  the  abscess  cavity. 

Fig.  68 


Transverse  section  of  granulation  tissue  from  an  open  wound  with  fibropurulent  deposit: 
a,  granulation  tissue;  6,  fibropurulent  deposit;  c,  c,  bloodvessels.      X  150.     (Ziegler.) 


Naturally,  collapse  of  the  walls  or  apposition  of  cut  edges  of  a 
wound  lessens  the  amount  of  granulation  tissue  necessary;  hence,  in 
the  latter  case,  healing  by  first  intention  (with  a  minimum  amount 
of  granulation  or  scar  tissue). 

The  wound  having  been  filled  up,  epithelium  grows  from  the  sides 
and  covers  the  granulations  (Fig.  69,  e).  The  granulation  tissue,  at 
first  highly  vascular,  later  contracts,  and  many  vessels  are  obliterated 
so  that  it  becomes  whiter  than  normal  tissue — cicatricial  tissue 
(cicatrix). 


REGENERATION  OF  TISSUES 


135 


The  indifferent  embryonic  cells  may  have  the  function  of  forming 
any  of  the  connective  tissues.  If  cartilage  is  to  be  formed,  chondrifi- 
cation  takes  place  about  the  specialized  cells.  If  bone  is  to  be  formed, 
certain  cells  form  islets,  about  which  calcification  proceeds.  Xerves 
require  a  month  or  more  to  pierce  the  cicatricial  tissue  (Eichhorst).^ 
In  spite  of  this  assertion  the  writer  finds  that  granulations  are  very 
sensitive  to  touch,  which  seems  clinical  evidence  of  error  in  this 
observation. 

Fig.  69 


Laparotomy  wound — sixteenth  day;  a,  a,  epithelium;  b,  b,  corium;  c,  subcutaneous  fat;  d,  vessels 
in  scar  tissue  of  corium;  e,  newly  formed  epithelial  layer;  /,  vessels  in  subcutaneous  scar  tissue. 
X  40.     Modified  from  Ziegler.     (Green.) 

In  healing  beneath  a  scab  the  exudation  and  leukocytes  upon  the 
surface  of  the  wound  dry  into  a  scab  beneath  which  granulations 
and  an  epithelial  covering  are  formed.  Later  the  scab  falls  oft'.  If 
prematurely  lost  the  granulations  are  exposed. 

In  healing  under  a  clot  the  clot  is  invaded  by  leukocytes,  which 
have  a  solvent  action  upon  it.  Granulation  tissue  forms  upon  all 
sides  of  it,  grows  into  it,  and,  at  the  same  time,  removes  it  by  resorp- 
tion (Fig.  70).  If  the  clot  become  septic  the  granulations  may  become 
infected  and  break  down,  as  scar  tissue  in  its  early  vascular  stages 


Ziegler:   General  Pathologj'. 


136  DISTURBANCES  OF  THE  VASCULAR  SYSTEM 

is  of  but  feeble  resistive  power,  though  it  does  not  absorb  toxins. 
(Park.) 

Heahng  under  a  clot  is  the  form  commonly  seen  after  tooth  extrac- 
tion. It  is  an  interesting  point  that  the  alveolus  is  finally  filled  with 
bone,  while  the  original  bony  margins  of  the  alveolus  are  resorbed. 
In  certain  cases  of  abscess  with  contracted  fistulse  or  openings  of 
discharge,  the  orifice  may  close  before  the  granulations  have  filled  the 
pus  cavity.  If  pus  or  an  excess  of  exudate  be  now  formed  within  the 
cavity,  a  second  discharge  may  occur.  To  obviate  this  difiiculty, 
abscesses  are  often  packed  with  antiseptic  gauze,  so  that  healing  may 
occur  from  the  bottom  of  the  cavity,  while  drainage  is  assured.    In 

other  cases  the  placing  of  a  tent 
Fig.  70  Or    drain    tube    in    the   fistula 

together  with  asepsis  sufiice  for 
the  attainment  of  the  object. 


INFLAMMATION  OF  BONE 

"  Active  infiammatory  changes 
may  occur  in  the  periosteum, 
the  medullary  canal,  the  med- 
ullary spaces  of  the  spongy 
bone,  and  the  Haversian  canals, 
the  compact  tissue  and  ground 
substance  remaining  passive.''-^ 
The  inflammation  is  termed 
periostitis,  osteomyelitis,  or 
osteitis,  the  terms  referring  to 
the  point   of   location    of   the 

Absorption  of  blood  clot.     Section  through  the    inflammation i.     6^,     the    pCH- 

margin  of  a  clot  formed  among  the  tissues  by  extra-  ost                .^hc    mcdufla,    and    the 
vasation,  showing  the  growth  of  granulations  by  '     .              , 
which  it  is  removed:     a,  a,  portions  of  clot;  6,  b,    SpaCCS the       bonC       being       in- 
original  tissue;  c,  c  granulations  springing  from  the  ^oi^g^  in  all  (.^ggg^     Inflamma- 
original  tissue  and  projecting  into  the  clot;  d,  d,  , 

wandering  cells  or  leukocytes  that  seem  to  have  tioU  of  boUC  may  bc  UOn-infcC- 

taken  red  blood  disks  into  their  interior.     (Section  ^^y^    qj.    infective;    the    latter    is 
cut  in  gum  arable  and  stained  with  hematoxyhn.) 

X  350.    (Black.;  usually  due  to  pyogenic  organ- 

isms— i.  e.,  suppuration  occurs. 
Proliferative  Periostitis.— This  is  a  proliferation  of  cells  of  the 
deeper  layers  of  the  periosteum  combined  with  emigrated  leukocytes. 
A  node  is  thus  formed  which  may  ossify. 

'  Schmaus  and  Ewing:   Pathology  and  Pathological  Anatomy. 


INFLAMMATION  OF  BONE  137 

Suppurative  Periostitis. — Pyogenic  organisms  may  enter  an 
injured  periosteum  or  one  weakened  by  previous  disease  (e.  g.,  by 
scarlet  fever).  The  origin  of  the  bacteria  is  by  way  of  the  blood, 
either  directly  or  by  way  of  the  medulla  (as  a  secondary  effect  of 
osteomyelitis),  or  by  way  of  the  skin. 

Pus  forms  beneath  the  periosteum,  raises  it,  and  destroys  its 
connection  with  the  bone.  The  vessels  are  stretched,  damaged,  and 
thrombosis  occurs.  Superficial  necrosis  of  bone  results,  which  may  be 
total  if  other  sources  of  blood  supply  are  also  cut  off. 

Acute  Osteomyelitis. — This  is  a  suppuration  occurring  in  the 
bone  marrow,  which  infects  the  bone  proper,  causes  much  throm- 
bosis of  vessels,  coagulation  necrosis  of  bone  cells,  and  may  rapidly 
cause  much  necrosis  of  medullary  tissue.  Occurring  in  large  bones, 
much  toxin  is  produced,  which  may 

rapidly  cause   death.    The  organ-  ^  ^^°  '^^         ^  .  .^ 

isms  and  thrombi  formed,  becom-       '^^^-^^-^^^'^''^^^^^^k'^^'^r^^ 
ing   emboli,   may   rapidly   lead    to  ^  ^  ^ 

pyemia.^      Prompt    surgical    inter-      r  /^.   },  - 

ference  is  called  for.  -  ;-->     'i 

Inflammation  of  bone  may  lead  to 
its  rarefaction  (rarefying  osteitis  or      . 
osteoporosis),  its  condensation  (con-    ,,,,,.  ,       , 

^-^  ,    ,  ,  T  rabeculsB  of  bone  with   p(,rforiting  canals 

densing   osteitis   or   osteosclerosis),  x  )0 

or  its  death  (necrosis  and  caries). 

Rarefying  Osteitis  (Osteoporosis). — In  the  rarefying  process 
which  occurs  in  chronic  inflammation,  granulation  tissue  is  formed, 
which  enters  the  Haversian  canals  and  spaces  of  spongy  bone  and 
destroys  (resorbs)  the  bone,  owing  to  the  presence  of  osteoclasts. 
They  thus  form  new  channels  between  the  spaces — perforating  canal 
resorption  (Fig.  71).  With  suppuration  (ulceration)  added,  the 
granulations  break  down,  leaving  the  bone  as  a  dead,  spongy,  or 
honeycombed  mass.  This  is  caries  of  bone.  In  the  early  stages  the 
inflammation  may  cease,  and  the  bone  not  only  be  restored,  but 
condensed. 

Condensing  Osteitis  (Osteosclerosis). — In  chronic  inflammation, 
of  lesser  degree,  instead  of  rarefaction,  construction  occurs  and  the 
trabeculse  of  bone  may  increase  in  thickness,  so  that  all  spaces  and 
Haversian  canals  become  smaller.  The  bone  becomes  very  compact 
and  less  vascular,  and  if  built  up  in  excess  of  its  original  dimensions, 
constitutes  the  condition  known  as  exostosis;  if  very  dense,  as  "  ivory 
exostosis."    Both  condensing  and  rarefying  osteitis  occur  about  the 

'  Park's  Surgerj-. 


138 


DISTURBANCES  OF   THE   VASCULAR  SYSTEM 


alveolar   process   and  the  roots    of  teeth.       (See  Hypercementosis 
and  Resorption.) 


Fig.  72 


Fig.  73 


Section  of  bone  and  periosteum  covering  it:  B, 
bone;  c,  outer  fibrous  layer;  a,  inner  layer  of  white 
fibrous  tissue;  O, layer  of  osteoblasts,  some  of  which 
reach  the  bone  with  their  prolongations.  Normal 
bone.     (Black.) 


Section  of  bone  and  periosteum  covering 
it:  a,  osteoclasts,  cells  that  absorb  bone; 
b,  surface  of  bone,  showing  fibers  of  perio- 
steum penetrating  it  and  a  Howship  lacuna. 
Lacunar  resorption.     (Black.) 


Necrosis  of  Bone. — Necrosis  of  bone  following  rarefying  osteitis 
is  known  as  caries.     It  is  a  molecular  death  of  bone.    Subperiosteal 

death  of  bone  occurs  from  in- 
fective periostitis,  and  is  due 
to  the  compression  of  vessels 
by  the  exudation  and  to  throm- 
bosis. Nutrition  ceases;  death 
results.  The  dead  piece  is 
demarked  by  a  line  of  leuko- 
cytes (phagocytes),  solution  of 
continuity  or  rarefying  osteitis 
occurs  at  the  line  of  union 
with  the  living  bone,  and  the 
piece  is  thrown  out  as  a  seques- 
trum. New  bone  enclosing 
a   sequestrum   is    termed    an   involucrum.      (See   Gangrene.) 

Resorption  of  Bone.  —  Under  conditions  of  chronic  inflamma- 
tion bone  is  often  removed  by  neighboring  tissue  in  one  of  several 
ways. 

Lacunar  Resorption. — In  this  form  the  bone  is  excavated  by  giant 
cells  into  bays  called  Howship's  lacunae,  which  may  enlarge,  or  later 


Lattice-work  figures  in  haUsteresis. 
V.  Recklinghausen.) 


(After 


pnvER 


139 


a  reconstructive  action  may  occur  and  osteoblasts  may  fill  up  the 
bays  with  bone.     (See  Hypercementosis  and  Resorption  of  Roots.) 

Perforating  Canal  Resorption. — This  has  been  described  under 
Caries  of  Bone.  The  canals  connecting  medullary  spaces  are  enlarged 
by  the  granulation  tissue  formed  in  them  (Fig.  71). 

Halisteresis  Ossium. — In  this  form  of  resorption  the  bone  first 
undergoes  decalcification  and  the  matrix  is  later  removed  (Fig.  74). 
It  occurs  in  conditions  of  osteomalacia  as  in  pregnancy,  senility, 
etc.  It  also  occurs  in  the  alveolar  process,  and  is,  at  least  in  part, 
the  cause  of  the  cleanly  symmetrical  resorption  of  the  gum  and 
alveolar  margins.     (Talbot.^) 


Fig.  70 


"^kmM 


Diagram  of  healing  fracture. 
From  a  guinea-pig  ten  days 
after  injury:  K,  ends  of  the 
bone;  ia,  marrow;  c,  periosteal 
callus;  d,  medullary  callus;  o, 
osteoid  tissue.     X  6. 


M 


':'^. 


v'^^cf 


y    A; 


p 


-V:"^','- V 


''••  '//'/■4  ■fi 


.tj>-. 

!'0:''. 


The  same  preparation:  M,  myelogenous  callus;  P,  peri- 
osteal callus;  Ky  ends  of  the  bone;  /c,  osteoid  trabeculae;  o, 
osteoblasts  in  rows;  p,  thickened  periosteum.  X  250. 
(Schmaus  and  Ewing.) 


Regeneration  of  Bone. — Bone  lost  by  suppuration  is  first  replaced 
by  provisional  tissue  of  the  connective-tissue  type,  in  which  appear 
osteoblasts.  Calcification  then  proceeds  under  superintendence  of 
these  (Figs.  72,  75,  and  76). 

FEVER 

The  term  fever  is  applied  to  a  condition  the  most  prominent  feature 
of  which  is  an  elevation  of  the  bodily  temperature  above  the  normal, 


'  Interstitial  gingivitis. 


140  DISTURBANCES  OF  THE  VASCULAR  SYSTEM 

37°  C.  To  constitute  a  fever  this  rise  in  temperature  must  continue 
for  some  length  of  time. 

Causes. — Fevers  are  commonly  caused  by  the  presence  in  the  circu- 
latory fluids  of  substances  which  act  as  poisons  upon,  probably,  the 
nerve  centres  controlling  heat  production.  As  a  rule,  the  offending 
substance  is  a  poison  generated  in  the  body  through  the  action  of 
microorganisms.  The  character  and  type  of  the  fever  are  determined 
by  the  nature  of  the  offending  substances — i.  e.,  the  variety  of  infec- 
tion. 

Classes. — Fevers  are  divided  into  periodical  or  continued,  according 
as  to  whether  there  is  a  periodical  fall  of  temperature  and  a  subsequent 
rise,  or  whether  the  fever  continues  practically  unabated  from  the 
beginning  to  the  termination  of  a  disease.  Fevers  are  classed  in 
severity  according  to  the  maximum  temperature,  and,  again,  accord- 
ing to  their  duration.  A  temperature  of  100.5°  to  101.3°  F,  is  called 
slightly  febrile;  101.3°  to  103°  F.,  moderate  fever;  103°  to  105°  F., 
marked  fever.    A  temperature  above  106°  F.  is  termed  hyperpyrexia. 

Symptoms. — The  most  characteristic  symptom  of  fever  is  the  eleva- 
tion of  temperature;  accompanying  this  there  is  an  increased  fre- 
quency of  the  pulse.  In  acute  inflammatory  diseases  the  pulse  is  full 
and  bounding,  the  eyes  injected,  the  bowels  constipated,  and  the 
urine  scanty,  containing  an  excess  of  urea.  On  standing,  the  urine 
throws  down  a  brickdust  deposit  (urates) .  In  fevers  of  a  lower  type, 
or  in  many  fevers  which  begin  as  described,  the  high,  bounding  pulse 
is  succeeded  by  a  soft,  quick  pulse,  and  evidences  of  great  debility. 
In  fevers  in  which  the  temperature  runs  high  there  is  commonly 
evidence  of  intoxication,  more  or  less  delirium,  and  reflex  muscular 
action.  With  a  persistent  temperature  and  a  pulse  becoming  softer 
and  more  frequent,  there  is  increasing  debility. 

Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. — In  all  cases  of  continued  high 
temperature  the  fat  of  the  body  rapidly  disappears  and  granular 
degeneration  occurs  in  the  muscles  and  viscera  of  the  body.  If  the 
fever  be  long  continued  and  of  an  adynamic  type,  this  degeneration 
may  become  marked.  Its  occurrence  in  the  muscles  of  the  heart  is 
common  and  is  an  element  of  danger.  There  are  an  increase  in  the 
amount  of  carbon  dioxid  formed  and  exhaled  from  the  body,  and 
an  increased  amount  of  oxygen  inhaled.  This,  with  the  increase  of 
urea,  the  product  of  the  oxidation  of  nitrogenous  tissues  (muscles, 
glands,  etc.),  indicates  that  the  oxidation  of  the  tissues  is  largely 
increased;  hence  the  elevation  of  temperature.  As  repair  does  not 
equal  waste  in  fevers,  the  nutritive  processes  being  profoundly  dis- 
turbed, the  essential  elements  of  the  tissues  suffer  from  the  increased 
oxidation  and  undergo  degenerative  changes. 


TOXEMIA  141 

Prognosis. — The  higher  the  temperature  and  the  longer  it  continues, 
the  greater  drain  there  is  upon  the  vital  forces.  As  a  rule,  a  tempera- 
ture of  106°  F.  persisting  more  than  twenty-four  hours  presages 
death.  If  the  vital  forces  flag  and  the  heart  action  becomes  weakened, 
and  if  there  be  evidence  of  profound  intoxication,  such  as  twitching 
of  tendons,  low,  muttering  delirium,  and  a  clammy  surface,  the  out- 
look is  bad.  Favorable  signs  are  falling  temperature,  a  clear  eye, 
tongue  losing  its  coating,  free  action  of  the  bowels,  free  perspiration, 
free  action  of  the  kidneys,  and  a  good  vascular  tension. 

Treatment, — In  the  light  of  present  knowledge,  efforts  should  first 
be  made  to  discover  the  nature  of  the  cause  of  the  fever  and  to  remove 
it,  if  possible.  If  not,  attention  should  be  directed  to  maintaining  the 
vital  forces  until  the  body  rids  itself  of  the  offending  causes.  As 
many  fevers  are  self-limited  in  course  and  duration,  this  latter  treat- 
ment becomes  an  important  consideration.  The  temperature  should 
be  kept  within  safe  limits  by  the  administration  of  antipyretics, 
when  the  condition  of  the  heart  wall  permit  their  use,  and  also  by 
cool  sponging  or  cool  baths.  The  action  of  the  heart  should  be 
sustained  by  the  administration  of  concentrated  nutriment,  and  by 
stimulants  when  necessary.    The  bow^els  must  be  kept  open. 

In  any  form  of  fever  there  is  no  therapeutic  measure  comparable 
with  the  removal  of  the  cause,  provided  this  be  discoverable,  iden- 
tified, and  removable. 

TOXEMIA 

By  toxemia  is  meant  a  more  or  less  general  disturbance  of  the 
economy  as  the  result  of  the  presence  in  the  blood  of  substances 
poisonous  to  a  tissue  or  the  tissues.  The  substance  may  be  a  normal 
constituent  of  the  blood  which  has  accumulated  owing  to  faulty 
elimination — e.  g.,  urea — or  be  derived  from  the  alimentary  canal  as 
the  result  of  unusual  fermentation  therein.  Such  an  effect  is  known 
as  auto-intoxication.  It  may  be  due  to  the  action  of  drugs  of  toxic 
character — e.  g.,  alcohol  or  iodoform.  This  is  drug  toxemia.  Again, 
it  may  be  due  to  the  action  of  the  products  of  bacteria,  which  prod- 
ucts, absorbed  from  certain  foci  of  infection,  produce  general  effects, 
such  as  fever.  Again,  similar  results  can  be  produced  by  the  intro- 
duction of  toxic  products  from  bacterial  culture  in  vitro  or  in  experi- 
mental animals. 

Septic  Intoxication. — By  septic  intoxication  is  meant  the  absorp- 
tion into  the  blood  of  the  products  of  bacterial  activity,  which 
products  are  produced  at  some  focus  or  foci  of  infection  as  the  result 
of  tissue  or  tissue-juice  decomposition.     These  bacterial  products 


142  DISTURBANCES  OF  THE  VASCULAR  SYSTEM 

produce  symptoms  of  general  poisoning  or  intoxication,  which  are 
mild  or  severe,  according  to  the  character  of  the  poisonous  body 
produced.  The  organisms  do  not  necessarily  enter  the  blood,  hence 
the  blood  is  not  infectious  if  inoculated  into  another  person  (or 
experimental  animal). 

Two  varieties  of  septic  intoxication  may  be  distinguished: 

1.  Intoxication  by  the  products  of  the  action  of  specific  bacteria 
developing  upon  living  tissue. 

2.  Intoxication  by  the  action  of  bacteria  upon  non-vital  materials 
(sapremia). 

The  action  of  the  bacilli  of  diphtheria,  Asiatic  cholera,  and  tetanus 
are  examples  of  the  first  class.  Their  toxins  are  virulent,  but  the 
bacteria  are  confined  to  the  pharynx,  intestine,  and  the  wound 
respectively. 

Sapremia. — The  entrance  of  putrefactive  or  the  pyogenic  organ- 
isms into  such  material  as  a  large  blood  clot  or  gangrenous  area  may, 
by  putrefaction,  cause  the  formation  of  large  quantities  of  toxins. 
These,  if  absorbed,  produce  rapid  and  profound  symptoms  of  intoxi- 
cation. The  symptoms  vary  according  to  the  nature  of  the  toxin  and 
the  quantity  absorbed,  but  ordinarily  occur  in  the  following  order: 
Malaise,  rigor,  fever  and  its  symptoms,  nausea,  vomiting,  headache, 
diarrhea,  prostration,  delirium  in  some  cases,  muscular  weakness, 
clammy  skin,  feeble  pulse,  quick  respiration,  and  in  fatal  cases  coma 
and  death.  The  symptoms  are  similar  to  those  of  septicemia,  but 
appear  more  rapidly — i.  e.,  septicemia  requires  time  to  spread.  There 
is  a  putrid  wound  which  is  the  source  of  the  toxic  substance.  The 
condition  is  usually  complicated  by  septicemia. 

SEPTICEMIA  (GENERAL  SEPTIC  INFECTION) 

By  septicemia  is  meant  a  condition  in  which  the  bacteria,  usually 
one  of  the  pyogenic  varieties,  gain  entrance  to  the  living  tissues,  enter 
the  circulation,  and  are  carried  to  inaccessible  parts,  where  their 
development  continues  and  from  which  point  their  toxins  are 
absorbed  (Fig.  77). 

This  process  requiring  more  time  than  mere  absorption  of  toxins, 
the  symptoms  are  much  more  delayed  than  in  sapremia.  The  blood 
is  highly  infective  to  susceptible  animals  in  minute  amount,  as  it 
contains  bacteria. 

Pathology. — There  is  a  septic  wound  in  which  incubation  occurs  for 
several  days.  The  lymphatics  leading  from  the  part  and  the  nearest 
lymphatic  glands  become  inflamed.  In  pronounced  cases  the  spleen 
is  enlarged.    There  is  marked  leukocytosis. 


SEPTICEMIA  143 

Examination  made  after  death  due  to  the  septic  intoxication 
produced  by  both  sapremia  and  septicemia  exhibits  fairly  constantly 
enlargement  of  the  spleen  and  disintegration  of  the  red  corpuscles, 
with  staining  of  the  intima  of  the  vessels  and  heart.  The  lungs  are 
congested.    Death  occurs  through  heart  failure.^ 

Symptoms. — These  are  similar  to  those  of  sapremia,  except  that  the 
periods  of  incubation  about  the  body  cause  delays. 

Fig.  77 


®Sf>-' 


^  '.i-V^   %s^ 


"-m*     ^ 


a. 


a 


i'y 


/■ 


cl: 


Pectoral  muscle  beset  with  large  numbers  of  the  Streptococcus  pyogenes,  from  a  case  of  phlegmo- 
nous inflammation  of  the  subcutaneous  and  intermuscular  connective  tissue,  due  to  cadaveric 
poisoning  (the  phlegmon  of  the  wall  of  the  chest  developed  two  days  after  the  finger  was  injured, 
and  the  intermediate  lymph  vessels  of  the  arm  showed  no  evidences  of  being  involved) :  o, 
perimysium  internum  full  of  streptococci;  b,  transversely  cut  muscular  fibers,  still  intact;  c,  trans- 
versely cut  muscular  fibers  which  are  beginning  to  degenerate;  d,  muscular  fibers  into  which  the 
cocci  have  penetrated.  (Preparation  treated  with  gentian  \'iolet  and  vesuvin,  and  mounted  in 
Canada  balsam.      X  350  diameters.)      (Ziegler.) 

Tieatment. — For  sapremia  and  septicemia,  the  treatment  is  both 
local  and  general.  The  local  treatment  involves  the  opening  and  dis- 
infection of  all  wounds,  even  the  extirpation  of  a  part  and  of  neighbor- 
ing glands  being  sometimes  necessary  for  remo^'al  of  the  cause.  If 
possible,  the  part  is  immersed  frequently  in  hot  water,  which  may 
occasionally  have  mercuric  chloride  added  to  it. 

An  antiseptic  salve,  consisting  of  resorcin,  5  parts;  ichthyol,  10 
parts;  unguentum  hydrargyri,  40  parts;  lanolin,  45  parts,  is  to  be 
applied  to  the  area  of  infection. - 

Crede's  silver  ointment  may  be  applied  to  the  unbroken  skin  for 
the  systemic  antiseptic  effect  of  the  silver. 

'  Green:  Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy.  •  Park's  Surgery 


144  DISTURBANCES  OF  THE  VASCULAR  SYSTEM 

The  general  treatment  consists  in:  (1)  Clearing  the  alimentary 
canal  by  means  of  cathartics  and  maintaining  its  asepsis  bj^  means 
of  mercuric  chlorid  in  small  doses,  salol,  or  other  suitable  antiseptic. 

(2)  Supporting  the  heart  action  by  means  of  alcohol  and  strj^chnin. 

(3)  Supporting  the  strength  by  concentrated  liquid  nourishment,  such 
as  egg  albumin,  beef  peptonoids,  beef  juice,  peptonized  milk,"^  to 
which  diet  fruit  may  be  added.^  (4)  Reducing  the  temperature  by 
means  of  cold  sponge  baths  or  quinin.  (5)  Maintaining  the  elimina- 
tive  action  of  the  kidneys  until  the  system  has  rid  itself  of  the  toxins. 
For  the  more  profound  cases.  Park  recommends  the  intravenous 
infusion,  as  an  intravascular  germicide,  of  from  500  c.c.  to  1000  c.c. 
of  a  solution  of  Crede's  soluble  silver,  1  to  1000  of  sterilized  water  at 
105°  F.  Streptococcus  antitoxin  is  useful.  Vaccine  therapy  may  be 
of  value  (see  p.  57). 

PYEMIA 

By  pyemia  is  meant  a  form  of  septicemia  or  septic  infection  by 
pyogenic  organisms,  which,  locating  at  favorable  spots,  as  in  the 
capillaries,  multiply  and  produce  numerous  abscesses  known  as 
miliar}^  or  metastatic  abscesses.  From  these  foci  toxins  are  absorbed, 
which  produce  a  septic  intoxication. 

The  organisms  may  enter  the  blood  from  some  focus  of  suppuration 
as  free  cells  or  be  taken  up  by  leukocytes,  or  thrombosis  may  occur  at 
the  original  focus  of  infection,  and  portions  of  clot  be  carried  in  the 
blood  as  septic  emboli  to  terminal  arteries,  where  the  results  of  septic 
infarction  are  set  up.     (See  Infarction.) 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  pyemia  are,  in  general,  those  of 
septicemia ;  their  appearance  is  delayed  from  the  date  of  the  reception 
of  an  injury  or  the  outbreak  of  the  primary  suppuration.  The  onset 
of  pyemia  is  usually  by  a  chill  or  a  succession  of  chills.  Each  fresh 
area  of  pus  formation  is  believed  to  be  announced  by  a  chill  and  a 
rise  of  temperature.  The  temperature  is  subject  to  remissions,  and 
sudden  variations  in  its  height  are  noted.  The  general  symptoms  are 
those  of  an  adynamic  fever.  Local  symptoms  appear  according  to 
the  point  of  lodgement  of  septic  emboli.  Pus  centres  may  be  found 
in  the  lungs,  and  cause  symptoms  of  dyspnea ;  collections  frequently 
occur  in  joints,  causing  loss  of  mobility;  eruptions  appear  on  the  skin, 
the  swellings  being  apparent;  typhoid  symptoms  become  more  pro- 
nounced, and  an  increasing  debility  ushers  in  a  usually  fatal  ending. 
At  times  both  septicemia  and  pyemia  may  become  chronic. 

'Thompson:   Practical  Medicine.  2  park's  Surgery. 


THE  EXANTHEMATA  145 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  pyemia  should  be  preventive.  The 
carrying  out  of  rigid  antiseptic  precautions  has  much  lessened  the 
frequency  of  pyemia.  If  areas  of  infection  are  removable,  they  are 
removed  no  matter  what  extent  of  operation  may  be  necessary.  The 
general  treatment  is  the  same  as  in  septicemia,  with  much  less  hope 
of  recovery. 

A  consideration  of  the  infective  surgical  processes  in  connection 
with  dental  and  oral  diseases  is  of  the  utmost  moment  to  the  prac- 
titioner of  dentistry.  Nearly  all  of  the  diseases  which  the  dentist  is 
called  upon  to  treat  are  infective  from  their  inception.  Moreover, 
the  saliva,  holding  in  suspension  numerous  forms  of  bacteria,  both 
saprophytic  and  parasitic,  and  their  waste,  is  a  highly  infective  fluid. 

It  has  been  clearly  demonstrated  by  the  researches  of  ]\Iiller^  that 
many  forms  of  bacteria  found  in  specific  diseases,  and  found  inhabit- 
ing the  intestinal  tract,  are  more  or  less  constantly  present  in  the 
human  mouth,  and  that  the  pathway  in  many  general  infections  is 
no  doubt  via  the  oral  cavity.  A  wound  made  in  the  human  mouth  is 
necessarily  an  infected  wound.  In  the  vast  majority  of  cases  the 
body  exercises  its  protective  function  in  a  phagocytosis,^  or  through 
immunizing  processes,  which  disposes  of  invading  bacteria  or  renders 
them  innocuous.  In  other  cases  it  is  beyond  question  that  this 
protective  provision  fails  and  infection  occurs,  especially  if  new  forms 
be  introduced.    The  saliva  is  not  germicidal  in  any  way.     (Miller.) 

THE  EXANTHEMATA 

Certain  acute  specific  diseases,  such  as  rubeola,  rotheln,  scarlatina, 
varicella,  and  variola  are  accompanied  by  skin  eruptions  generally 
distributed  over  the  body,  and  which  represent  an  infective  derma- 
titis; indeed,  the  eruptions  of  many  of  these  diseases  are  contagious 
to  other  individuals.  Syphilis,  a  chronic  specific  disease,  due  to  the 
Spirocheta  pallida,  produces  similar  effects. 

The  special  interest  lying  in  the  exanthemata  is  that  occurring 
during  the  development  of  the  teeth ;  the  latter  are  often  profoundly 
affected,  so  that  malformations,  sometimes  serious  in  character,  occur 
in  the  teeth.  It  is  to  be  recalled  that  teeth  are  dermoid  structures, 
certainly  in  so  far  as  the  enamel  is  concerned.  (See  ^Malformations 
of  the  Teeth.)  Again,  after  or  during  exanthematous  diseases, 
notably  scarlet  fever,  the  oral  tissues  are  much  debilitated,  so  that 
abscesses  about  the  teeth  may  produce  much  necrotic  tissue  or  the 
disease  itself  may  produce  necrosis. 

1  Microorganisms  of  the  Human  Mouth.  2  Hugenschmidt :  Dental  Cosmos,  1896. 

10 


SECTION    II 

EMBRYOLOGY,  AXATU.MY,  AND   HISTOLOGY 


Fig 


CHAPTER     \1 

THE   DEVELOPMENT,  ANATOMY  AND   HISTOLOGY  OF   THE 
JAWS  AND   TEETH 

As  malformations  of  the  parts  about  the  mouth  and  of  the  teeth  are 
dependent  upon  defective  development  of  the  same,  it  is  incumbent 
that  certain  facts  concerning 
their  embryology  should  be 
stated.  In  like  manner,  as  the 
processes  of  pathology  are  modi- 
fied by  the  peculiar  anatomy  of 
the  teeth  and  associated  parts, 
it  is  necessary  that  a  previous 
knowledge  of  these  be  acquired 
before  the  special  dental  path- 
ology can  be  comprehended. 
The  embryology  of  the  mouth 
begins  at  a  very  early  period — 
before  the  twelfth  day  the  future 
mouth  may  be  located  (His, 
Fig.  7S).  The  mouth  and 
nasal  cavity  are  circumscribed 
by  parts  which  are  developed  by 
outgrowths  from  the  head  fold 
of  the  fetus.  Those  structures 
immediately  concerned  are  the 
lateral  tubercles  arising  from 
the  frontal  prominence  (Fig. 
79),  which  grow  downward  and 
fuse,  forming  the  nose,  the 
nasal  septum,  the  intermaxillary 

bones,  and  anterior  portion  of  the  upper  lip  (Figs.  SO  and  81).    From 
the  sides  of  the  head  fold  at  the  level  of  the  mouth  and  neck  appear 


Face  of  an  embrj-o  of  twenty-five  to  twenty- 
eight  daj-s  (magnified  fifteen  times):  1,  frontal 
prominence;  2,  3,  right  and  left  olfacton,-  fossae; 
4,  inferior  maxillarj-  tubercles,  united  in  the 
middle  line;  5,  superior  maxillarj'  tubercles; 
6,  mouth  or  fauces;  7,  second  pharjngeal  arch; 
8,  third;  9,  fourth;  10,  primitive  ocular  vesicle; 
11,  primitive  auditor}'  vesicle.    (Gray.) 


148     ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF    THE  JAWS    AND   TEETH 

certain   lateral    protuberances,    or    pharyngeal    arches.      The    first 
pharyngeal  arches  (Fig.  78,  4)  divide  into  (1)  the  superior  max- 


FiG.  79 


Sup.  tubercle 
Lateral  tubercle 


Sup.  tubercle 
Lateral  tubercle 


Head  of  an  early  human  embryo,  showing  the  disposition  of  the  facial  fissures  and  the 
superior  and  lateral  tubercles.     (His.) 


S.M.P.- 


S.M.P. 


NAS. 


Diagram  illustrating  scheme  of  union  of  the  processes:  NAS,  lateral  tubercles  forming  internal 
maxillary  bones,  INT.  MAX.,  and  nasal  septum;  S.M.P.,  superior  maxillary  processes  forming 
palatal  processes  of  superior  maxillse,  S.M.F.;  N.C.,  nasal  cavity;  O.C.,  oral  cavity;  I.M.,  inferior 
maxillary  processes  united. 


illary  processes  (Fig.  78,  5)  and  (2)  the  inferior  maxillary  processes 
(Fig.  78,  4i  shown  just  beneath  the  oral  cavity  and  united  in  the 
median  line), 


Fig  81 


Complete  bilateral  fissures  (coloboma)  of  face.     (Guersant.) 
Fig.  82 


Vertical  transverse  section  through  head  of  human  embryo,  about  the  tenth  week:  1,  naaa 
cartilage;  2,  buccal  cavity;  3,  tongue;  4,  dental  ridge,  lower  jaw;  5,  nasal  cavity;  6,  dental  ridge, 
upper  jaw;  7,  dental  ridge,  lower  jaw.       X  30.     (Broomell.') 

•  Anatomy  and  Histology  of  the  Mouth  and  Teeth. 


150     ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE    JAWS  AND    TEETH 

The  superior  maxillary  processes  develop  the  palate  bones  and  the 
superior  maxillse.  They  form  the  balance  of  the  upper  lip.  The 
arch  itself  forms  the  cheek.  Fig.  81,  from  a  case  of  arrested  develop- 
ment, illustrates  the  unions  and  parts  naturally  formed,  but  here 
incomplete. 

Secondary  processes  develop  horizontally  toward  each  other,  form 
the  palatal  portions  of  the  superior  maxillse  and  palate  bones,  and 
unite  at  the  median  line  (Fig.  80,  S.M.P.,  also  Fig.  82),  forming  the 
vault  of  the  mouth  and  floor  of  the  nasal  cavity.  Union  occurs  with 
the  lateral  processes,  later  forming  the  intermaxillary  bones  and  bear- 
ing the  germs  of  the  incisor  teeth  (Fig.  83),  thus  completing  the 
formation  of  the  upper  jaw  and  lip. 


Fig.  83 


07ie  for  nasal  and 
facial  portions. 


One  for  orbital  and 
malar  portions. 


Anterior  Surface 


One  for  incisive 
portion. 


One  for  palatal 
portion. 


Inferior  Suyface. 


Development  of  the  superior  maxillary  bone  by  four  centres,  also  development  of  inter- 
maxillary bones.     (Gray.i) 

The  inferior  maxillarj^  processes  grow  forward  and  unite  at  the 
median  line,  developing  the  inferior  jaw  and  lip.  Fig.  86,  an  arrested 
case,  shows  this. 

The  structures  of  the  floor  of  the  mouth  and  neighboring  structures 
are  formed  from  the  second,  third,  and  fourth  pharyngeal  arches  and 
a  tubercle  arising  near  the  first  pharyngeal  arch.  The  fusions  of  the 
lateral  portions  of  the  upper  maxillse  begin  first  anteriorly  at  about 
the  eighth  week,  and  progress  posteriorly  until  complete  at  about  the 


1  Gray's  Anatomy. 


ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE    JAWS  AND    TEETH     151 

eleventh.     Malformations  due  to  non-union,,  therefore,  date  from 
this  period,  and  consist  of  the  following  typical  varieties : 


Fig.  84 


Fig.  85 


Cleft  of  hard  and  soft  palate;  rudimentary 
intermaxillary  bone  placed  in  advance  of  lips. 
(Mason.) 


Cleft  of  hard  and  soft  palate. 
(Mason.) 


Fig. 86 


Median  fissure  of  the  lower  lip  and  chin.     (Marshall,  after  Wofler.) 


1.  Non-union  of  lip  on  one  or  both  sides — simple  harelip. 

2.  Non-union  of  lip  and  of  maxilla  and  intermaxillary  bone  on  one 
side  (harelip.  Fig.  84). 

3.  Non-union  of  lip  and  intermaxillary  bone  on  both  sides  (double 
harelip.  Fig.  81). 


152     ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE   JAWS  AND    TEETH 

4.  Non-union  of  all  horizontal  processes  in  the  median  line  (cleft 
palate,  Figs.  84  and  85) . 

5.  Non-union  of  halves  of  soft  palate  (cleft  velum). 

6.  Non-union  of  halves  of  the  uvula  (bifid  or  cleft  uvula). 
Combinations  of  cleft  velum  and  cleft  palate  or  of  cleft  palate  and 

single  or  double  harelip  may  exist. 

Figs.  81,  82,  84,  and  88  show  the  parts  in  their  ununited  state. 

The  failure  of  the  inferior  maxillary  processes  to  unite  is  rare, 
but  is  occasionally  seen  (Fig.  86).  The  inferior  maxillary  tubercles 
develop  a  transitory  support  to  the  lower  jaw  known  as  Meckel's 
cartilage.  The  cartilages  of  the  right  and  left  side  do  not  fuse 
together  at  the  future  symphysis.    (Hertwig.)   (See  Figs.  82,  and  87.) 


Fig.  87 


Fig.  88 


M.a 


Showing  Meckel's    cartilage  (Af.C.)  in  longi- 
tudinal and  transverse  section. 


Osteology   of   harelip.      (Museum   of   the 
Philadelphia   Dental   College.) 


It  acts  as  a  support  to  the  fetal  jaw,  undergoes  atrophy  at  about 
the  sixth  month  of  gestation,  and  at  birth  but  few  fragments  are 
found  near  the  symphysis.  At  birth  ossification  has  occurred,  and 
the  bone  consists  of  two  halves  united  by  a  fibrous  symphysis  in 
which  ossification  takes  place  during  the  first  year. 

The  end  of  the  cartilage  in  the  base  of  the  inferior  maxillary  process 
becomes  the  future  malleus  (one  of  the  bones  of  the  middle  ear).  The 
portion  of  the  cartilage  running  from  the  malleus  to  the  formed  bony 
lower  jaw  becomes  transformed  into  the  internal  lateral  ligament  of 
the  inferior  maxilla.     (Hertwig.) 

A  case  of  failure  of  development  of  the  intermaxillary  bones  has 
been  reported,^  the  space  between  the  cuspid  teeth  being  about 
one-eighth  inch. 

It  is  to  be  remembered  that  these  processes  are  formed  by  the  out- 


1  Jeffery:  British  Dental  Journal,  July,  1904. 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  TEETH 


153 


growth  of  the  mesoblastic  layer  of  the  blastoderm,  and  are  covered  by 
epithelial  tissue  springing  from  the  epiblast.  Both  are  concerned  in 
the  formation  of  the  teeth.  Epithelium  is  reflected  over  the  face  and 
oral  cavity.  All  tissues  between  these  layers  of  epithelium  excepting 
the  dental  band  and  enamel  organs  and  the  nenes are  of  mesoblastic 
origin. 

DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  TEETH 


At  about  the  sixth  week  of  gestation,  while  the  maxillary  processes 
are  but  ill-defined  masses  of  mesoblastic  tissue  surrounded  on  all 
sides  by  epiblastic  tissue  (Fig.  82),  the  ''dental  hand"  develops 
as  a  continuous  depression  of 

the  stratum  ]Malpighii  of  the  fig.  89 

mucous  membrane  extending 
from  end  to  end  of  the  fetal 
jaw  (Figs.  90,  b,  and  91,6), 
over  which  depression  is  a 
mound  of  epithelial  cells  de- 
veloped from  it,  and  called 
the  "dental  ridge"  (maxillary 
rampart  of  Kolliker  and  Wal- 
deyer  (Fig.  92,  mr). 

At  ten  points  on  these  bands 
in  each  jaw,  at  about  the 
seventh  to  the  eighth  week, 
a  further  depression  of  the 
stratum  Malpighii  occurs,  of  a 
more  or  less  definite  saccular 
form,  the  sac  also  containing 

embryonic  epithelial  cells  (Figs.  90,  c,  and  92,  3).  This  enlarges  by  an 
interiorward  growth  of  epithelial  cells,  while  the  attachment  to  the 
mucous  membrane  remains  constricted.  At  the  ninth  week  the 
mesoblastic  tissue  beneath  has  somewhat  condensed,  evidencing 
the  first  appearance  of  the  dentinal  papilla.  At  this  stage  the  cord 
(enamel  organ)  has  been  likened  in  appearance  to  a  Florentine  flask 
(Fig.  93,  S) .  The  dentinal  papilla  pushes  up  the  base  of  the  enamel 
organ,  which  gradually  adapts  itself  over  the  papilla,  assuming 
first  the  shape  of  a  Phrygian  cap  (Fig.  94),  and  finally  a  saddle  shape 
(Fig.  95).  Just  before  the  connection  of  the  enamel  organ  with  the 
epithelium  of  the  mucous  membrane  is  lost  (as  shown  in  Fig.  95) ;  the 
cord  for  the  corresponding  permanent  tooth  is  given  off  from  the  side 
of  the  temporary  cord.    Fig.  95,  cp,  shows  this  after  the  separation. 


Porcine  embrj-o:  ep,  epithelium,  infant  layer  or 
stratum  Malpighii;  ct,  embryonal  connective  tissue 
with  large  intercellular  interspaces.  1.5  cm.  X 
250.     (Sudduth.) 


154     ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE    JAWS  AND    TEETH 


At  the  sixteenth  week  the  enamel  organ  has  developed  so  as  to 
contain  three  distinct  formative  parts  concerned  in  enamel  deposition. 

1.  Next  to  the  papilla  the  cells  of  the  stratum  Malpighii  develop 
into  nucleated  columnar  cells,  collectively  defined  by  an  inner  and 
an  outer  limiting  membrane; 

the  ameloblasts,  the  office  of  fig.  91 

which    is   to    deposit   enamel 
(Fig.  96,  e,  and  Fig.  97,  c). 

2.  Those  next  interior  de- 
velop into  large  cells  nutritively 
associated  with  the  ameloblasts 


Fig.  90 


Vertical  section  through  band  from 
jaw  of  porcine  embryo:  ep,  epithelium; 
b,  band;  c,  cord;  ct,  connective  tissue. 
3.5  em.  X  60.     (Sudduth.) 


Longitudinal  transverse  section  of  the  inferior 
maxilla  of  a  porcine  embryo:  6,  band,  solid  at 
anterior  portion,  but  divided  posteriorly  into  band 
and  lamina.     3  cm.    X  40.     (Sudduth.) 


and  collectively  called  the  stratum  intermedium  (Fig.  97,  h);  also 
shown  in  Fig.  96  between  b  and  c). 

3.  Those  in  the  central  portion  of  the  enamel  organ  are  large  cells 
rich  in  calcific  material  and  polygonal  from  mutual  pressure,  and 
called  collectively  the  stellate  reticulum.  They  furnish  the  first 
nutritive  material  for  the  enamel  cells  (Fig.  94,  1,  and  Fig.  96,  a). 

The  dentinal  papilla  develops  a  reticulum  of  bloodvessels,  nerves, 
and  branched  stellate  connective-tissue  cells  lying  in  a  gelatinous 
matrix.  Upon  the  surface  of  the  papilla  elongated  nucleated  con- 
nective-tissue cells  called  odontoblasts  are  found,  the  office  of  which 
is  to  deposit  dentin  (Fig.  97,  e;  also  Fig.  117,  Od).  About  the  enamel 
organ  and  dentinal  papilla  a  fibrous  sac  develops  from  the  mesoblastic 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  TEETH 


155 


tissue,  encloses  them,  and  is  called  the  follicular  wall  (Fig.  95,  c,  ci), 
and  will  become  the  pericementum  or  cementum  organ.  The  entire 
wall  and  its  enclosures  are  called  the  dental  follicle  (Fig.  95).  At  the 
sixteenth  week  the  cord  of  the  temporary  enamel  organ  gives  oflF 
from  its  side  a  cord  which  will  form  the  enamel  organ  of  the  suc- 
ceeding permanent  tooth,  and  a  cord  is  given  off  from  the  mucous 
membrane  for  the  first  permanent  molar  (Fig.  95,  cp).  At  the  seven- 
teenth  week  dentin  deposition    begins  by  the  extrusion  of  small 


FiG.'J2 


Section  of  jaw,  embryo  of  pig,  showing  growth  of  enamel  organ:  1,  epithelium;  2,  stratum 
Malpighii;  3,  first  stage  in  growth  of  enamel  organ  of  temporary  tooth;  4,  embryonic  connec- 
tive tissue;  5,  developing  bone  of  jaw;  mr,  maxillary  rampart.     (Andrews.) 


calcospherites  formed  within  the  odontoblasts,  composed  chemically 
of  calcium  and  magnesium  salts  combined  with  albumin,  a  combina- 
tion known  as  calcoglobulin.  A  cement  substance  is  formed  within 
the  odontoblasts,  as  is  evident  in  Fig.  118.  These  calcospherites  are 
evidently  piled  into  the  cement  substance  previously  deposited 
against  the  ameloblasts,  and  later  against  each  other,  and  around 
protoplasmic  prolongations  of  some  of  the  odontoblasts,  which  pro- 
longations remain  in  similarly  compiled  tube-like  structures  known 
as  tubule  walls  or  sheaths  of  Neuman,  while  the  odontoblasts  them- 


156     ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE    JAWS   AND    TEETH 

selves  recede,  leaving  behind  them  a  portion  of  their  substance  in  the 
tubules,  and  known  as  the  dentinal  fibrils.  They  finally  persist  upon 
the  surface  of  the  pulp  (Figs.  97,  99,  105,  117).  Fig.  118,  a  stained 
specimen  of  formed  dentin,  shows  the  arrangement  of  the  compiled 
calcospherites.  It  is  apparently  almost  analogous  to  enamel  forma- 
tion. After  some  dentin  has  been  deposited  enamel  deposition 
begins  (at  about  the  fifth  month).    The  ameloblasts  in  like  manner 


Fig.  93 


Section  of  jaw,  embryo  of  pig,  showing  growth  of  enamel  organ:     1,  epithelium;  2,  second  stage 
in  growth  of  enamel  organ;  3,  embryonic  connective  tissue.     (Andrews.) 


form  within  themselves  calcospherites  or  enamel  globules,  also  an 
amorphous  substance  called  interprismatic  cement  substance.  Both 
are  calcoglobulin,  and  yet  contain  less  organic  matter,  at  least 
finally,  than  the  dentinal  calcoglobulin. 

The  ameloblast  first  extrudes  a  drop  of  interprismatic  cement 
substance  against  the  dentin,  and  into  it  deposits  an  enamel  globule 
(Williams)   (Fig.  99,  e).     This  is  repeated,  the  ameloblasts  mean- 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  TEETH 


157 


while  receding,  the  result  in  finished  enamel  being  a  rod  composed 
of  enamel  globules  united  in  a  row  by  intervening  layers  of  inter- 
prismatic  cement  substance.  Williams  demonstrates  plasmic  strings 
which  unite  the  ^•a^ious  enamel  globules  to  each  other — probably 
these  give  the  accurate  relation  end  to  end.  The  scheme  of  formation 
is  shown  in  Fig.  99,  and  the  orderly  arrangement  in  Fig.  113.  The 
hexagonal  arrangement  shown  in  transverse  section  (Fig.  114,  B)  is 
due  to  mutual  pressure  of  the  globules.    Each  rod  is  united  laterally 


Fig.  0-1 


Section  of  jaw,  embryo  of  pig,  sliowing  growth  of  enamel  organ  and  dentin  gum:  1,  enamel 
organ;  2,  dentin  gum;  3,  growth  of  jaw;  4,  tongue.     (Andrews.) 


to  its  neighbor  by  interprismatic  cement  substance,  which  flows 
there  during  deposition  of  each  layer  of  the  enamel.  The  strise  of 
the  enamel  represent  periods  of  incremental  activity.  That  the 
enamel  rod  is  not  formed  by  calcification  of  the  ameloblast  is  proved 
by  the  fact  that  the  ameloblast  lies  at  an  angle  to  the  developing  rod. 
The  function  of  the  stellate  reticulum  is  to  furnish  calcoglobulin  for 
the  first  enamel  deposition.  This  is  probably  elaborated  in  the 
stratum  intermedium  and  passed  on  to  the  ameloblasts,  which  con- 
struct the  calcospherites  and  interprismatic  cement  substance.    After 


158     ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE  JAWS    AND    TEETH 

the  first  deposition  of  enamel  the  stellate  reticulum  disappears  and 
the  papilla-like  structure   of  the  stratum  intermedium   comes  into 

Fig.  95 


*.>">%  ii^ — cjj. 


''/-^Vi'j^ 


5Mt 


i'^'      \A'^yl'^^'<^<     <h,     rip. 


Vertical  transverse  section  of  jaw  of  porcine  embryo,  injected:  ep,  epithelium,  with  (il)  infant 
layer;  a,  layer  of  ameloblasts;  o,  layer  of  odontoblasts;  cp,  cord  for  permanent  tooth;  ot,  outer 
tunic;  it,  inner  tunic;  sr,  stellate  reticulum;  wh.  ep,  whorls  of  epithelium  forced  from  outer  tunic 
and  stellate  reticulum;  d,  dentin;  dp,  dentinal  pulp;  v,  bloodvessels  of  pulp;  ct,  connective  tissue; 
c.  c<,  foUicular  wall;  p,  periosteum;  sp,  space.     10  cm.      X  60.     (Sudduth.) 

relation  with  the  capillaries  of  the  follicle  wall,  from  which  its  cells 
derive  further  nutrition  and  become  the  originators  of  the  calco- 
globulin  used  in  enamel  deposition  (Fig,  99,  D,  in  which  b  of  Fig. 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  TEETH 


159 


96  is  supposed  to  have  disappeared).  After  enamel  completion  the 
ameloblasts  and  remains  of  the  enamel  organ  persist  as  Nasmyth's 
membrane,  a  structure  epithelial  in  character,  ^iir  in.  in  thickness 
(Hopewell-Smith),  and  quite  resistant  to  acids.  As  the  tooth  is  pushed 

Fig.  96 


Section  of  developing  tooth  of  an  embryo  calf:  a  and  b,  nuclei  of  reticulum  of  enamel  organ, 
showing  spongiose  character;  c,  outer  ameloblastic  membrane;  d,  inner  ameloblastic  membrane; 
e  and  /,  enamel  globules  faintly  showing  nuclear  network.      X  1000.     (Williams.) 


up  portions  of  the  enamel  organ  are  claimed  by  Ilertwig  to  be 
included  as  epithelial  remains  or  resting  cells  in  the  pericementum, 
which  have  been  described  by  Black  as  pericemental  glands.  During 
the  development  of  the  follicle,  bone  is  formed  in  islets  which  appear 


160     ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE   JAWS  AND    TEETH 

in  the  mesoblastic  structure  between  the  foHicle  wall  and  the  peri- 
osteum (Figs.  92  and  95).  These  gradually  coalesce  until  a  bony  wall 
is  formed  which  constitutes  the  greater  bulk  of  the  fetal  jaw.  The 
cavities  in  the  bone  are  called  crypts,  are  divided  by  septa,  and  are 
nicely  shown  in  Fig.  102,  which  also  shows  the  relation  of  three  per- 
manent tooth  sacs  to  those  of  their  predecessors.  In  this  figure  the 
outer  plate  of  bone  is  removed,  and  one  is  looking  at  the  outside  of 
the  sac  or  follicle  wall,  of  which  Fig.  100  is  a  transverse  section. 


Pig.  97 


Section  of  developing  tooth  of  an  embryo  calf:  a,  stellate  reticulum  of  enamel  organ;  6,  stratum 
intermedium;  c,  ameloblasts;  d,  dentin;  e,  odontoblasts;  /,  bloodvessels — corpuscles  in  situ. 
X  275.     (Williams.) 


Fig.  100  shows  a  dental  follicle  in  an  advanced  stage  of  enamel  and 
dentin  development,  viz.,  at  birth.  Root  formation  then  begins,  and 
is  carried  on  by  the  odontoblasts  in  the  papilla  and  cementoblasts  in 
the  follicle  wall  (Fig.  105).  The  odontoblasts  in  the  papilla  form 
dentin,  which   protrudes    beyond    the  dentin  covered  by  enamel. 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  TEETH  161 

Fig.  98 

Section  of  growing  tovih  oi  cali   ui  i.ii.L,  ^huwing  fibrils,  fibril   culLs,  and  u.b.utoblasts;   also  the 
layer  of  calcoglobulin  and  the  forming  dentin.     (Andrews.) 


Fig    99 


Mode  of  enamel  deposition:  .-1,  formed  enamel;  fi,  ameloblast.s;  C.  secreting  papillae  of  stratum 
intermedium:  D,  bloodvessels  in  external  fibrous  coat  and  to  secreting  papillae;  E,  enamel 
globules  with  connecting  plasmic  strings;  F,  nuclei  of  ameloblasts;  G,  blood  supply  of  odonto- 
blastic layer;  H,  odontoblasts;  7,  unformed  dentin;  J,  formed  dentin.  The  interprismatic 
cement  substance  is  shown  as  smaller  bodies  within  the  ameloblasts.  Semidiagrammalic. 
(Williams.) 
11 


162     ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE    JAWS  AND    TEETH 


This  dentin  contains  irregular  spaces  containing  organic  matter,  and 
collectively  known  as  the  granular  layer  of  Tomes  (Fig.  119,  J).  The 
tubules  near  this  are  branched  and  anastomotic.  Coincidently  with 
dentin  formation  the  osteoblasts  in  the  follicle  wall  also  develop 
within  themselves  calcospherites  and  probably  cement  substance, 
which  together  they  deposit  as  cementum  against  the  dentin  as  a 
modified  bone  (subperiosteal  deposition)  and  recede,  leaving  some 
osteoblasts  in  lacunae  (Figs.  103  and  119,  K).  The  finished  cementum 
shows  strata  representing  periods  of  incremental  activity  (Fig.  119). 
It  will  be  noted  that  the  general  mode  of  calcospherite   and  inter- 

spherite  cement  substance 
^'°-  ^°°  formation  and   deposition 

is  practically  the  same  in 
the  ameloblasts,  odonto- 
blasts, and  osteoblasts; 
not  as  to  finished  product, 
but  in  principle.  The  fol- 
licle wall  is  caught  between 
the  developing  cementum 
and  bone,  and  persists  as 
a  pericementum,  the  fibers 
of  which  attach  them  to 
each  other  (Figs.  100,  C, 
and  105,  PER).  Fig.  101 
shows  the  various  stages  of 
root  formation,  the  bifurca- 
tion of  roots  being  effected 
by  an  upward  pressure  by 
the  follicle  wall  against 
the  pulp,  in  the  same 
manner  that  the  enamel 
organ  is  indented  by  the 
papilla.  The  lower  first  permanent  molar  in  Fig.  110  and  the  third 
figure  in  Fig.  101  show  plainly,  by  the  aid  of  a  little  imagination, 
how  this  is  accomplished.  The  diagram  (Fig.  104)  gives  the  ages  at 
which  root  calcification  is  complete  in  the  temporary  set. 

The  Permanent  Teeth. — These  are  nearly  all  formed  from  cords 
given  off  at  the  sixteenth  week  from  the  sides  of  the  cord  of  the  corre- 
sponding temporary  teeth  as  far  back  as  the  bicuspids,  which  are 
given  off  from  the  cords  of  the  first  and  second  temporary  molars 
(Fig.  95);  the  sacs  are  formed  and  lie  lingual  to  and  above  the 
sacs  of  the  temporary  teeth  (Fig.  108  and  109).  At  the  fifteenth 
week  of  fetal  life  the  cords  of  the  first  permanent  molars  are  given 


Developing  tooth  at  birth:  A,  developing  bone;  B, 
tissue  reflected  from  follicular  wall  and  forming  alveolar 
periosteum;  C,  follicular  wall;  D,  vessels  and  nerves;  £^, 
epithelium  of  gum. 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  TEETH 


163 


off  from  the  mucous  memlirane,  at  the  third  mouth  after  birth  the 
cord  for  the  second  molar  is  given  off  from  that  of  the  first  molar, 
and  at  three  years  after  birth  the  cord  of  the  third  molar  arises  from 
that  of  the  second  molar.    After  eruption  and  root  completion  in  the 


Fig.  101 


B    0  M 


Pulp  cavities  of  the  superior  first  bicuspid,  from  the  seventh  to  the  twelfth  year.     (Broomell.') 

temporary  teeth  and  some  development  of  the  crowns  of  the  perma- 
nent teeth  the  relation  of  the  crypts  of  the  permanent  teeth  to  the 
temporary  teeth  is  as  shown  in  Figs.  107  and  110. 

The  roots  of  the  permanent  teeth  are  developed  during  the  period 
of  the  descent  of  their  crowns  into  the  alveoli  of  the  temporary  teeth, 
which  occurs  coincidently  with  the  resorption  of  the  temporary  roots, 

Fig.  102 


1,  tooth  sacs  of  deciduous  teeth  turned  out  of  crypts;  2,  lingual  surface  of  mandible, 
of  the  crypts  and  septa  shown.     (Broomell.) 


The  interior 


which  permits  the  descent.  After  the  shedding  of  the  deciduous  teeth 
and  the  eruption  of  the  permanent  ones  the  roots  are  completed  after 
variable  periods,  graphically  shown  in  Fig.  Ill,  Coincidently  with 
this  the  jaws  enlarge  in  all  directions  by  resorption  and  new  depo- 

'  Anatomy  and  Histology  of  the  Mouth  and  Teeth. 


164     ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE   JAWS  AND    TEETH 

sition  of  bone.     Both  the  development  of  the  crowns  and  roots  are 
similar  to  those  occurring  in  the  temporary  teeth. 

Fig.  103 


Transverse  section  through  fused  roots  of  molar  tooth,  showing  interdentinal  cementum: 
1,  interdentinal  cementum.      X  30.     (Broomell.) 

The  Histology  of  the  Teeth. — Some  of  the  histology  of  the  teeth 
has  been  given  with  the  description  of  the  development  of  the  teeth, 
and  extended  explanation  is  unnecessary  in  a  work  devoted  to  dental 
pathology.  vSome  of  the  structures,  however,  require  some  notice  as 
a  basis  for  pathological  variations,  and  will  be  specially  described. 


Fig.  104 


22  months  after  birth 
18  months  after  birth 


12  months  after  birth 


6  months  after  birth 


40th  week  (birth) 
30th  week  embryo 
18th  week  embryo 
17th  week  embryo 


Calcification  of  the  deciduous  teeth.     (Peirce.) 


The  Enamel. — The  rods  radiate  as  shown  in  Fig.  112,  but  in  the 
fissures  Xasmyth's  membrane  persists  and  rarely  completes  a  perfect 


DEVELOPMENT  OF   THE   TEETH 


165 


groove,  so  that  a  convenient  location  for  food  and  microorganisms 
remains,  and  dental  caries  is  most  common  at  this  point.  The 
rods  are  wavy  in  outline,  though  sometimes  twisted  or  gnarled.  They 
are  hexagonal  in  cross-section  (Fig.  114).  The  enamel  is  thin  at 
the  cer\'ix,  and  is  usually  overlapped  by  the  cementum,  but  may 
overlap  it,  or  lie  edge  to  edge  with  it  (Choquet).  The  striae  of 
Retzius  are  pigmented  bands,  or  colored  increment.  The  stripes 
of  Schreger  are  cloud-like  markings,  shown  by  Caush  to  be  due  to 
the  presence  of  tubes  in  the  enamel  and  containing  organic  matter. 


Fig.  105 


Fig.  106 


Condition  of  tliird  molar  at  thir- 
teen yeats  of  age.  (Skiagraph  by 
Custer.) 


Diagram  illustrating  root  development  and  con- 
dition of  an  incomplete  root:  E,  enamel;  D. 
dentin;  P.  pulp  containing  odontoblasts,  OB; 
AP,  alveolar  process;  B,  bone;  C,  cementum; 
P',  periosteum  of  bone  continuous  with  the 
pericementum;  PER,  pericementum  containing 
ceraentoblasts,  CB;  A.  V.  A',  arteries,  veins,  and 
nerves. 


Showing  the  relation  of  perma- 
nent tooth  follicle  to  the  root  of 
the  temporary  tooth. 


Caush  and,  later,  others  have  shown  that  the  enamel  contains 
tubes  into  which  the  dentinal  fibrils  penetrate  (see  Figs.  172,  175, 
and  176).  The  outer  surface  also  may  contain  openings  indicative 
of  present  or  past    organic   contents.      Each    rod    is  composed   of 


Fig.  108 


Tooth  follicles  for  deciduous  and  permanent  teeth,  three  months  after  birth:     1,  2,  tooth  sacs  of 
deciduous  teeth;  3,  periosteum  of  hard  palate;  4,  tooth  sacs  of  permanent  teeth.     (Broomell.) 

Fig.  109 


Deciduous  molars  with  tooth  sacs  for  permanent  bicuspids  attached  to  the  gingival  tissue 

(Broomell.) 


Fig.  110 


View  of  the  upper  Jaw  of  a  child,  aged  about  six  and  one-half  years.  The  anterior  teeth  are 
slightly  separated  by  the  partially  developed  permanent  teeth,  Ij-ing  behind  or  posterior  to  them, 
pushing  forward  to  occupy  a  more  anterior  position.  The  equal  height  which  the  crowns  of  the 
deciduous  teeth  originally  occupied  is  also  being  disturbed  by  the  advancing  permanent  teeth. 
(Peirce.) 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  TEETH 


167 


m 

in 

-"■;s>; 

i     ca 

(S 

cd 

c3 

03 

!>-,>>ja  a 

>>    >> 

>. 

5     00 

«5 

•* 

(N 

O 

enamel  globules  united  end  to  end  by  interprismatic  cement  sub- 
stance, which  also  unites  adjoining  rods  longitudinally  (Fig.  113). 

The  Dentin.  —  The  dentin  is  composed  of  tubules  and  their  con- 
tents and  intertubular  substance.  Each  tubule  contains  a  prolonga- 
tion of  an  odontoblast,  also  called  a  "fiber  of  Tomes,"  or  dentinal 
fibril.  The  wall,  diflFering  from 
intertubular  dentin,  is  called  the 
sheath   of   Neuman   (Fig.   116). 

The  tubules  are  wavy  in 
direction,  but  radiate  in  the 
crown  and  lie  at  right  angles 
to  the  pulp  in  the  root  dentine. 
At  the  peripher}^  the  tubules 
branch  and  anastomose  freely, 
and  some  may  penetrate  the 
enamel.  There  are  also  fine 
anostomatic  connections  at 
other  points  (Fig.  116).  Both 
the  tubules  and  intertubular 
substance  seem  to  be  composed 
of  calcospherites  and  cement 
substance  (Fig.  118). 

The  tubules  are  curved  in 
outline  and  sometimes  show  a 
series  of  short,  sharp  curves  on 
a  general  curved  level  at  the 
points  at  which  a  new  period  of 
increment  has  occurred.  They 
are  the  stripes  of  Schreger  in 
dentin  or  "incremental  lines"  of 
Salter  (Fig.  182). 

The  Pulp.— This  consists  of 
a  gelatinous  matrix  in  which 
are  embedded  branched  con- 
nective-tissue cells.  The  odon- 
toblasts lie  upon  its  surface 
next  to  the  dentin,  with  their 
fibrils  extending  into  the  tubules 
up  to  the  enamel,  and,  as  shown 
by  Caush,  often  into  it,  forming 
organic  matter  in  enamel,  and  in 
some  cases  accounting  for  a  sen- 
sitivity which  is,  however,  rare. 


168     ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE  JAWS  AND  TEETH 

Fig.  112 


Diagram  of  enamel-rod  directions  and  tubule  curves.     From  a  photograph  of  a  buccolingual 
section  of  a  superior  bicuspid.     (Noyes.) 

Fig.  113 


Section  of  enamel  of  human  tooth.  Photographed  with  Zeiss  apochromatic  lens  and  Powel 
and  Leland  apochromatic  condenser.  The  optical  parts  accurately  centred  and  the  focus  critical." 
The  enamel  rods  are  seen  to  be  resolved  into  distinct  sections  (enamel  globules),  the  cement  sub- 
stance often  passing  entirely  between  the  sections.     X  400.     (Williams.) 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  TEETH 


169 


One  or  more  arteries  enter  the  apical  foramen  or  })y  several  fora- 
mina, and  several  veins  may  emerge.  The  arteries  subdi^•ide  in  the 
central  portion  of  the  pulp  and  form  a  rich  network  of  capillaries 
beneath  the  odontoblasts. 


Fia.  114 


Enamel  prisms:  A,  fragments  and  single  fibers  of  the  enamel  isolated  by  the  action  of  hydn 
chloric  acid;  B,  surface  of  a  small  fragment  of  enamel,  showing  the  hexagonal  ends  of  the  fiber 
X  350. 

Fig.  115  • 


Enamel  showing  both  striation  and  stratification.      X  SO  (about).     (Noyes.) 

The  arteries  are  not  branches  entering  the  foramen  directly  from 
the  bone,  but  rather  branches  of  arteries  in  the  pericementum. 

The  arteries  of  the  pulp  soon  lose  almost  entirely  their  muscular 
coat,  and  their  external  coat  is  reduced  to  an  inconsiderable  amount 


170     ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE  JAWS  AND  TEETH 

Fig.  116 


D.C. 


N.Sch. 


Transverse  ground  section  through  the  dentinal  tubules  of  the  first  molar  of  a  child,  aged  seven 
years:  F,  small  connecting  tubule.   Koch's  and  Golgi's  methods  combined.    X  1200.    (Rose.) 

Fig.  117 


CD.- 


U.D.' 


,^9^mv>i 


9filt? 


■  T.Ii. 


P.C  — 


-Od. 


Section  of  pulp,  showing  the  relations  of  the  odontoblasts  to  the  dentin:  Oil.,  odontoblasts; 
T.F.,  Tomes'  fibers — odontoblastic  processes;  UD..  uncalcified  dentin;  CD.,  calcified  dentin; 
PC,  pulp  cells.      X  800.     (Rose  and  Gysi.) 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  TEETH 


171 


of  fibrous  connective  tissue.  There  is  little  if  any  anastomosis  of  the 
arteries  of  the  pulp,  so  that  collateral  circulation  is  impeded,  though 
not  necessarily  prevented,  as  pathological  cases  show.  The  veins 
remain  for  an  unusual  distance  without  a  muscular  coat,  and  are 
stated  by  Hopewell-Smith  to  be  non-\'alvular  and  non-collapsible.^ 
These  histological  data  have  great  clinical  significance.  (See  Diseases 
of  the  Pulp.) 

FiQ.  118 


IMain  mass  of  dentin  of  a  temporary  tooth,  stained  with  chlorid  of  gold,  decalcified  with 
acetic  acid:  F,  F,  dentinal  fibers,  partly  vacuolated;  B,  B,  basic  substance,  traversed  by  a  reticu- 
lum.     X  1200.     (Hart.) 

The  vascularity  of  the  pulp  decreases  with  age.  "  In  young  teeth 
there  are  a  number  of  arterial  trunks  entering  the  apical  foramen, 
which  lessen  in  number  as  the  passage  lessens  in  size."  Finally  only 
one  may  enter.     (Black.) 

The  passage  of  arteries  and  veins  through  a  constricted  foramen 
has  important  consideration  in  connection  with  pulp  diseases.  It 
has  been  shown  by  Stein^  that  the  arterial  supply  is  through  the 
bone  rather  than  by  direct  arterial  continuity.  (See  Venous  Hyper- 
emia of  the  Pulp.) 

The  nerves  enter  by  several  bundles,  and  if  medullated  soon  lose 


1  Dental  Cosmos,  1907. 


-  Items  of  Interest. 


172      ANATOMY  AXD  HISTOLOGY  OF   THE    JAWS  AND    TEETH 

the  medullary  sheath.  They  are  derived  from  the  trigeminus  and  the 
sympathetic  system. 

Those  from  the  sympathetic  are  distributed  to  the  bloodvessels  as 
vasomotors;  the  others  form  a  plexus  in  intimate  relation  with  the 
odontoblasts.  They  have  been  found  by  Retzius  to  terminate  in 
knob-like  extremities  between  the  odontoblasts  in  the  mouse.  These 
are  probably  sensory  nerves. 

No  direct  anatomical  connection  has  been  made  out  between  the 
nerve  fibers  and  the  odontoblasts  or  the  fibrillse,  although  Robertson 


Ground  section  through  the  root  of  a  human  premolar:  D,  dentin;  K,  cement  corpuscles 
O,  osteoblasts;  Ep,  remains  of  Hert wig's  epitheUal  root  sheath  or  pericemental  glands  of  Black;' 
J ,  interglobular  spaces.      X  200.     (Rose.) 


(England)  has  claimed  to  have  traced  the  long  central  fiber  running 
from  the  odontoblasts  into  the  pulp  into  nerve  bundles,  and  claims 
that  they  become  axis  cylinders.  The  phenomenon  of  sensitive  and 
hypersensitive  dentin  shows  an  evident  physiological  connection. 
The  nerves  of  the  pulp  do  not  possess  tactile  sense,  so  their  pains  are 
not  localized,  but  reflected,  as  a  rule.     The  pulp  contains  no  demon- 

•  The  editor  has  taken  the  liberty  of  altering  the  interpretation. 


DEVELOPMEXT  OF   THE   TEETH 


173 


strable  lymphatics,  though  lymph  spaces  probably  exist;  their  office 
is  i)robabl\'  performed  l)y  the  veins,  which  in  other  parts  may  take  up 
this  function.^  The  pulp  becomes  more  fibrous  and  less  vascular 
with  age.  During  health  it  preserves  the  translucency  of  the  tooth 
through  its  relation  with  the  fibrillse  and  under  certain  circumstances 
renews  its  formative  activity  and  produces  secondary  dentin.  The 
forms  of  the  pulps  and  \)\\\p  cavities  are  shown  in  Figs.  123  to  132. 


Fig.  120 


s.r>.- 


S.  T.~ 


B.V. 


-y.f 


Section  of  a  tooth  pulp:  B.V.,  main  bloodvessels  of  pulp;  C,  origin  of  rupillaries;  N.T.,  main 
nerve  trunk;  .V.F.,  subdivisions  of  nerve  into  fibrill8e;jOd.,  odontoblastic  layer;  S.  D.,  secondary 
dentin;  C.G.,  masses  of  calcoglobulin.      X  30.     (R6se_^and  Gysi.) 

The  Cementiim. — The  cementum  is  a  modified  bone  distributed 
over  the  dentin  of  the  root.  It  meets  the  enamel  either  edge  to 
edge,  overlaps  it,  or  is  overlapped  by  it  (Choquet).  In  some  cases 
they  do  not  meet  at  all,  and  leave  the  dentin  exposed.-  It  con- 
tains lacunte  and  canaliculi,  but  only  rarely  an  Haversian  canal. 
It  contains  a  fibrillar  structure,  which  represents  the  remains  of 
Sharpey's  fibers  (Fig.  121). 


'  Green:    Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. 

-  Hopewell  Smith:    Dental  Cosmos,  1909,  p.  1375. 


174     ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE    JAWS  AND  TEETH 

The  ph^^siological  function  of  the  cementum  is  to  afford  a  means 
of  attachment  of  the  teeth  to  the  maxillary  bones  through  the  medium 
of  the  pericemental  fibers.  In  case  of  death  of  the  pulp,  and,  there- 
fore, of  cessation  of  nutrition  of  the  dentin,  the  vital  relations  of  the 
cementum  and  alveolar  process  are  thus  maintained  and  the  use- 
fulness of  the  tooth  assured.     Whether  the  dentin  can  ever  receive 


Fig.  121 


Two  fields  of  cementum,  showing  penetrating  fibers:     Gt.,  granular  layer  of  Tomes;  C,  cementum 
not  showing  fibers;  F.,  penetrating  fibers.      X  54  (about).     (Noyes.) 


nourishment  from  the  cementum  after  pulp  death  has  never  been 
scientifically  shown,  and  the  fact  that  it  may  contain  dead  and  even 
putrefied  material  while  a  healthy  cementum  may  persist,  renders  it 
extremely  doubtful. 

The    Pericementum. — {Sy7i.,   Peridental   Membrane). — The    peri- 
cementum is  the  highly  organized  remains  of  the  follicle  wall.     As 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE   TEETH 


175 


the  alveolar  bone  and  cementiim  develop  on  either  side  of  it,  it  forms 
also  the  periosteum  lining  the  alveolus.  It  is,  therefore,  the  means  by 
which  the  teeth  are  retained  in  their  sockets  and  a  certain  degree  of 
motion  permitted.  The  pericementum  subserves  the  office  of  a 
membranous  attachment  not  altogether  unlike  that  found  in  the 
sutures  of  the  cranial  bones. 

It  is  considered  by  some  observers  that  there  are  two  distinct 
portions   to   the   pericementum,    cemental   and    alveolar.      Photo- 


FiG.  122 


Portion  of  the  side  of  a  root  of  a  tooth,  the  gum  and  alveolodental  membrane,  and  the  edge 
of  the  bone  of  the  alveolus.  A  band  of  fibers  is  seen  passing  over  the  surface  of  the  alveolus  and 
dividing,  some  passing  upward  into  the  gum,  others  passing  more  directly  across  to  the  cementum. 
Numerous  orifices  of  vessels  cut  across  transversely  are  seen  between  the  tooth  and  the  bone. 
(Black.) 

micrographs  generally  do  not  demonstrate  this,  and  it  is  a  matter 
of  difficulty  to  imagine  the  pericemental  bands  divided  into  two 
portions. 

It  is  continuous  with  the  periosteum  on  the  outside  of  the  alveolar 
process,  as  the  sutural  membrane  is  with  the  pericranial  membrane. 

Its  outline  study  divides  the  pericementum  into  three  portions — 
a  gingival,  an  alveolar,  and  an  apical  portion.^ 


'  Noyes :  American  Text-book  of  Operative  Dentistry. 


170     ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE    JAWS  AND    TEETH 

Fig.  123 


Transverse  sfclion  of  the  peridental  membrane  in  the  occlusal  third  of  the  alveolar  portion 
(from  sheep):  M,  muscle  fibers;  Per,  periosteum;  Al,  bone  of  the  alveolar  process;  Pd.  peri- 
dental membrane  fibers;  P,  pulp;  D,  dentin,  Cm.  cementum.     (Noyes.i) 


1  American  Text-book  of  Operative  Dentistry. 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  TEETH 


177 


It  is  composed  largely  of  white  fibrous  tissue  with  interlaced  blood- 
vessels, nerves,  and  glands.  It  also  contains  functional  cells,  fibro- 
blasts, cementoblasts,  osteoblasts,  and  osteoclasts. 


Fig.  124 


Fig.  125 


Fig.  12G 


Fig.  127 


Fig.  12S 


Fig.  129 


Fk;.  130 


Fio.  131 


Longitudinal  and  transverse  sections  of  upper  teeth,  showing  shapes  of  pulp  chambers  and 

their  positions. 

12 


178      ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE   JAWS  AND    TEETH 

Fig.  132 


Formalin-gelatin  casts  of  pulp  cavities,  showing  pulp  irregularities.     (Richards.) 

Fig.  133 


Formalin-gelatin  casts  of  pulp  cavities  compared  with  the  teeth  themselves.    (Richards.) 


DEVELOPMENT  OF  THE  TEETH 


179 


The  fibrous  tissue  is  made  up  of  principal  fibers  and  indifferent 
fibers.^ 

The  principal  fibers  are  grouped  for  the  most  part  in  bands  or 
bundles  (Fig.  123). 

In  the  alveolar  portion  these  bundles  run  for  the  most  part  from 
the  cementum  to  a  higher  point  on  the  alveolar  process.  The  attach- 
ment is  secured  by  the  penetration  of  the  fibers  into  either  structure. 
This  secures  to  the  tooth  support  against  direct  pressure  into  the 
socket  and  against  rotary  motion. 

Fig.  134 


>liuwing  the  buccal  surfaces  of  the  crowns  and  roots  in  position.      (Cryer.) 


At  the  apical  portion  the  bands  have  a  fan-like  distribution.  In 
the  gingival  portion  the  fibers  are  directed  outward  and  slightly 
toward  the  edge  of  the  alveolar  process  for  tooth  support,  or  outward 
and  downward  over  the  edge  of  the  process  to  become  continuous 

'  Noyes:   American  Text-book  of  Operative  Dentistry. 


180     ANATOMY  AND'  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE   JAWS  AND    TEETH 


with  the  periosteal  fibers,  or  outward  and  upward  with  the  sub- 
mucous gingival  tissue  to  aid  in  the  support  of  the  gum  margin. 
Some  of  the  gingival  fibers  pass  from  the  cementum  of  one  tooth  to 
that  of  the  next  (Fig.  123). 


Fig.  135 


Vertical  section  ofa  frozen  head,  rear  view.  Shows  relations  of  roots  of  molars  and  the  maxillary 
sinus,  and  of  the  maxillary  sinus  with  the  frontal  sinus.  Wire  passes  from  the  latter  through  the 
infundibulum,  the  hiatus  semilunaiis,  and  the  ostium  maxillare.  into  the  maxillary  sinus,  establish- 
ing a  connection.      (Cryer.) 


DEVELOPMENT  OF   THE   TEETfl 


181 


The  bloodvessels  of  the  pericementum  are  derived  from  several 
sources:  (1)  From  vessels  entering  the  membrane  through  the 
Haversian  canal'-:  of  the  alveolar  process  and  bone,  and  anastomosing 
with  branches  from  the  descending  arteries;  (2)  from  the  vessels  of 
the  outer  periosteum,  coming  over  the  edge  of  the  alveolar  process. 

It  has  been  shown  that  the  destruction  of  main  arteries  as  the 
infra-orbital  or  inferior  dental  does  not  cause  pulp  death,  hence  the 
collateral  blood  supply  is  the  most  important. 

There  are  comparatively  few  capillaries.  The  vessels  lie  mostly 
in  the  outer  or  alveolar  half  of  the  pericementum. 


Fig.  136 


Diagram  of  glands  of  peridental  membrane.      (Black.) 


This  disposition  of  the  arterial  blood  supply  insures  nutrition  to 
the  peridental  membrane  in  case  of  loss  of  the  apical  tissue,  as  in 
case  of  apical  abscess,  and  also  insures  a  collateral  blood  supply 
to  the  pulps  in  case  of  loss  of  main  arterial  trunks,  as,  for  example, 
in  operations  upon  the  inferior  dental  canal,  in  which  case  pulps 
do  not  die.^ 

The  arteries  thus  furnishing  blood  to  the  teeth  are,  for  the  upper 
jaw:  The  anterior  dental  branch  of  the  infra-orbital,  to  the  upper 
anterior  teeth;  the  superior  dental  branch  of  the  alveolar,  to  the  upper 
bicuspids  and  molars  and  the  bone  about  their  root  ends ;  the  descend- 
ing palatine  and  its  anastomotic  connection,  the  sphenopalatine, 
suppHed  to  the  palatine  side  of  the  upper  alveolar  process,  etc.;  the 
alveolar,  supplied  to  the  buccal  side  of  the  upper  alveolar  process. 

•John  Bethune  Stein  has  experimentally  proved  this  by  operation  of  removal  of  the  contents 
of  the  inferior  dental  canal.  The  pulps  did  not  die,  and  the  teeth  developed  as  usual.  Items  of 
Interest,  May,  1910. 


182     ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE    JAWS  AND    TEETH 

In  the  lower  jaw  the  inferior  dental  artery  and  its  incisor  branch 
supply  the  apical  tissues  of  the  lower  teeth  from  the  inferior  dental 
canal.  Its  mylohyoid  branch  supplies  the  gums  and  lingual  perios- 
teum of  the  lower  alveolar  process,  the  mental  branch  supplies  the 
low^er  buccal  process  anteriorly,  while  a  branch  of  the  facial  artery 
anastomoses  with  the  mental  anteriorly,  and  the  facial  sends  branches 
to  the  coverings  of  the  buccal  aspect  of  the  lower  jaw  posteriorly. 


Fig.  137 


Glands  of  Black.    Epithelial  structures:    Ec,  epithelial  cord,  apparently  showing  a  lumen;  Cb, 
cementoblasts;  Cm,  cementum;  D,  dentin.      X  500  (about).     (Noyes.) 


With  the  exception  of  those  branches  derived  from  the  facial  artery, 
all  the  blood  comes  from  the  internal  maxillary  artery.  Stein  has 
shown  that  the  blood  is  supplied  to  the  pericementum,  which,  by 
collateral  circulation,  supplies  the  pulp. 

The  veins  return  the  blood  by  similar  channels. 

The  nerves  of  the  pericementum  enter  by  several  trunks  in  the 
apical  tissue,  and  also  enter  from  the  alveolar  wall  and  over  the 
alveolar  edge.  While  their  distribution  is  not  yet  fully  described, 
some  of  them  possess  the  tactile  sense,  as  touch  upon  the  teeth  is 


Fio.  138 


Longitudinal  section:  Ep,  epithelium  lining  the  gingival  space;  Gg,  gingival  gland,  so-called; 
D,  dentin;  jV,  Nasmyth's  membrane;  Du,  duct-like  structure  stretching  away  toward  the 
gingivus  from  the  epithelial  cord,  seen  at  Ec;  Cm,  cementum,  separated  from  the  dentin  by 
decalcification.      X  50  (about).     (Noyes.) 


184     ANATOMY  AND  HISTOLOGY  OF  THE    JAWS  AND    TEETH 

fully  localized.    They  are  derived  from  the  fifth  nerve  and  the  sym- 
pathetic. 

The  Pericemental  Glands.  ^ — Black  has  described  gland-like 
structures  lying  in  the  pericementum  nearer  the  cementum  than  the 
alveolar  wall.  These  are  distributed  over  the  root  in  a  network,  as 
shown  in  Fig.  136. 

They  are  convoluted  cords  of  epithelial  cells  invested  with  a  deli- 
cate basement  membrane,  and  can  be  traced  to  the  epithelium  of  the 
gingival  space,  but  not  to  the  surface. 

Traces  of  a  lumen  have  been  seen,  which,  if  established  as  common, 
would  constitute  them  as  tubes.  Their  function  is  not  definitely 
known,  but  it  is  presumptive  that  they  are  either  secreting  glands  or 
lymphatics.  The  entrance  of  bacteria  from  the  gingival  space  to 
deep  portions  of  the  pericementum,  there  to  develop,  may  possibly  be 
favored  by  their  presence  (Figs.  119,  136,  and  137).  Some  consider 
these  glands  as  resting  epithelial  cells  derived  from  the  enamel  organ 
during  the  upward  movement  of  the  tooth,  i.  e.-,  the  epithelial  root 
sheath  of  Hertwig. 

Glands  of  Series. — At  the  deepest  portion  of  the  gingival  space 
is  found  a  gland-like  body  which  has  been  given  the  above  name. 
Its  function  is  not  known  (Fig.  138). 

The  Cellular  Elements. — The  fibroblasts  are  spindle-shaped  cells 
destined  to  become  mature  fibers.  They  lie  among  the  other  fibers. 
The  cementoblasts  lie  along  the  cementum  and  are  the  cementum 
builders  (Figs.  72  and  105).  Osteoblasts  are  found  engaged  in 
bone  construction  along  the  alveolar  wall. 

Osteoclasts,  large  multinucleated  cells,  lie  at  points  along  the 
cementum  of  teeth  and  alveolar  bone.  Their  office  is  the  removal  of 
bony  tissue.  They  remove  both  the  organic  and  inorganic  material, 
and  their  effects  are  seen  upon  the  cementum  and  dentin  of  the 
roots  of  teeth  undergoing  resorption,  also  upon  resorb'ed  alveolar 
process.  The  excavations  in  which  they  lie  at  work  are  called 
Howship's  lacunae  (Fig.  73). 

Calcospherites  are  sometimes  found  within  the  substance  of  the 
pericemental  membrane,  and  may  have  some  significance  in  relation 
to  its  diseases. 

The  pericementum  in  the  young  is  comparatively  large  and  vas- 
cular, and  in  the  old  becomes  much  attenuated,  more  fibrous,  less 
vascular,  and  subject  to  degeneration. 

Union  of  alveolar  bone  and  cementum  but  rarely  occurs,  though  a 
mechanical  attachment  by  fibrous  pericementum  may  occur.  (See 
Synostosis.)  On  the  other  hand,  the  union  of  the  cementum  of  one 
tooth  with  that  of  another  is  not  uncommon.    (See  Concrescence.) 


chaptp:r  VII 

DENTITION:  ITS  PROGRESS,  VARIATIONS,  AND  ATTENDANT 

DISORDERS 

Tpie  process  of  teething,  eruption,  or  dentition  comprises  that 
series  of  vital  operations  which  causes  the  teeth  to  leave  their  crypts 
in  the  maxilla^,  to  pierce  the  gum,  and  to  take  their  places  in  the 
dental  arches.  It  is  a  continuation  of  the  process  of  dental  develop- 
ment, and  is  accompanied  and  succeeded  by  root,  alveolar,  and  max- 
illary developments,  which  are  also  to  be  considered  in  connection 
with  it. 

Physiologically  dentition  is  divided  into  (1)  the  first  dentition,  or 
that  of  the  temporary  teeth,  and  (2)  the  second  dentition,  or  that  of 
the  permanent  teeth. 

Examination  of  Fig.  100  will  show  the  state  of  tooth  develo])ment 
at  a  period  shortly  after  birth  (a  central  incisor  being  under  con- 
sideration). The  crypt  is  roofed  over  at  birth  by  a  membranous 
structure.  During  the  period  from  then  to  perhaps  six  months  after 
birth  about  one-third  of  the  root  will  have  been  formed.  (See  Fig. 
104.)  The  root  end  is  widely  open  (incomplete)  and  the  margins  are 
thin  and  sharp.  A  very  vascular  tissue  occupies  the  space  between 
the  root  and  the  bone,  and  fills  the  interior  of  the  root.  Meanwhile 
the  crown  cusp  will  have  advanced  from  the  situation  shown  in  Fig. 
100  to  a  point  just  beneath  the  mucous  membrane,  which  is  pressed 
up  and  stretched  over  the  advancing  tooth  crown,  presenting  to  oral 
view  a  tumefied  condition  more  or  less  corresponding  to  the  form  of 
the  crown.    This  is  nicely  shown  in  Fig.  139,  A  and  B. 

These  anatomical  data  serve  for  the  consideration  of  the  causes 
and  process  of  eruption. 

Causes  of  Eruption. — It  is  evident  that  there  are  forces  which 
can  bring  about  the  elevation  of  a  tooth  crown  from  its  bed  in  the 
crypt  to  its  position  in  the  mouth. 

The  consideration  of  these  has  led  to  the  development  of  the 
following  rational  theories,  as  well  as  others  now  obsolete. 

1.  That  crown  elevation  is  due  to  the  lengthening  of  the  root — 
i.  e.,  as  root  tissue  is  formed  by  the  pulp  and  follicle  wall  lying  beneath 
and  to  the  side  of  its  edges,  the  tooth  is  mechanically  pushed  up,  the 
tissues  lying  above  it  are  stimulated  and  absorbed,  and  as  more  root 


186 


DENTITION 


is  formed,  a  further  extrusion  occurs.  It  is  to  be  noted  that  the  root 
end  occupies  the  same  level,  at  all  stages  of  eruption,  in  the  devel- 
oping jaw  that  was  occupied  by  the  cervical  edge  of  the  crown 
(Fig.  140).  As  no  two  bodies  may  occupy  the  same  space  at  the  same 
time,  the  root-forming  pulp  and  follicle  wall  push  the  tooth  up  to 
gain  room  for  more  root  formation.  The  mild  continued  pressure  is 
quite  competent  to  do  this.  The  pressure  of  the  soft  tissues  against 
the  root  end  is  explained  by  Constant  to  be  derived  from  the  normal 
blood  pressure.^  That  such  an  internal  pressure  exists  is  shown  by 
the  extrusion  of  ordinarily  confined  parts  when  released  from  the 
accustomed  pressure.    A  simple  accident  demonstrated  this  to  the 

editor.     While  excavating  with 
^^^-  ^^^  a  large  bur  the  softened  dentin 

about  a  decayed  pulp  cham- 
ber, the  cementum  was  widely 
removed  from  the  pericemental 
tissue  beneath,  which  latter 
fortunately  remained  unbroken. 
It  immediately  protruded  into 
>^^ '"  \J^>Sh-'fn'^  "^  y^  B  the  perforation.  Constant  also 
^^^^^    "^  r*"]   y*--^  cites  the  extrusion  of  a  tooth 

in  pericementitis  as  an  evidence 
of  the  influence  of  the  blood 
pressure.  Another  evidence  is 
the  occasional  rapid  advance  of 
a  tooth  after  lancing  of  the  gum. 

2.  The  process  of  tooth  development  is  a  vital  process,  and  that  of 
eruption  has  been  held  also  to  be.  (Tomes.)  That  cells  concerned 
in  development  seem  to  have  a  predestined  end  or  function  cannot  be 
denied;  at  the  same  time,  throughout  dental  development,  defined 
resistances  to  opposing  forces  seem  to  play  a  part  in  the' moulding  of 
the  soft  and  hard  tissues — e.  g.,  the  depression  of  the  enamel  organ 
by  the  papilla. 

3.  Peirce^  holds  that  the  impact  of  blows  upon  the  jaws  causes  the 
tooth  to  rise  toward  the  gum.  He  explains  the  eruption  of  crowns 
without  roots  upon  this  theory. 

4.  Tomes  explains  the  eruption  of  teeth,  after  development  of  the 
root,  upon  the  theory  that  the  closing  in  of  the  alveolar  process  or 
contraction  of  the  alveolus  upon  the  pericementum  (follicle  wall) 
causes  the  lifting  up  of  the  tooth.  That  such  a  closure  occurs  about 
the  extruding  roots  of  teeth  left  after  the  breaking  away  of  the  crowns 


Lines  of  incision  4n  lancing:  A,  A,  over  the 
molars;  B,  B,  over  the  cuspids  and  incisors  before 
eruption;  C,  C,  C,  over  the  molars  and  cuspids 
after  partial  eruption. 


•  International  Dental  Journal,  June,  1903. 


2  American  System  of  Dentistry. 


DENTITION  187 

is  shown  by  examination  of  the  sockets  of  such  roots.  An  ahnormally 
shallow  alveohis  closed  by  dei)osition  of  bone  at  its  apex  will  be  found 
in  cases  of  small  apical  portions  of  roots  so  extruded. 

It  is  w^ell  known  that  mild  hyperemia  is  produced  in  pericementi 
which  do  not  receive  a  normal  resistance,  which  would  account  for 
both  the  elevation  and  bone  deposition  on  the  ground  of  blood 
pressure.     (See  Arterial  Hyperemia.) 

Fig.  140 


Diagram   showing  the  upward  movement  of  the  crown  during  eruption  and  root  development. 

(Constant.) 

The  Process  of  Dentition. — At  varying  ages,  according  to  the 
state  of  tooth  development,  the  formed  crown  of  the  tooth  ad\'ances 
and  presses  upon  the  follicle  wall  overlying  it;  this  is  irritated,  and 
giant  cells  are  developed,  which  by  resorption  remove  this  as  well 
as  the  upper  edge  of  the  wall  of  the  crypt.  The  mucous  membrane 
is  pushed  up  and  moulded  over  the  crown,  thereby  causing  a  tume- 
faction. 

The  mucous  membrane,  at  first  normal  in  color,  becomes  slightly 
hyperemic,  and  then  may  change  to  an  ischemic  condition  and  whiten, 
owing  to  the  removal  of  the  blood  by  the  pressure  of  the  underlying 
crown.  Resorption  from  beneath  causes  a  break  in  the  continuity  of 
the  mucous  membrane,  and  the  crown  tip  erupts  into  the  mouth 
(Fig.  139,  C).  _ 

The  rate  of  resorption  and  crown  advance  are  equalized  in  perfectly 
normal  dentition. 

The  crown  rises  from  the  gum,  is  directed  by  the  tongue  and  lip  or 
cheek,  and,  finally,  meets  its  antagonists  of  the  opposite  jaw.  The 
interlocking  of  cusps  and  meeting  of  occlusal  surfaces  limit  further 
movement  of  position. 

Meanwhile  root  development  proceeds,  and  as  it  occurs  the  alveolar 
process  is  built  about  the  pericementum,  which  has  been  drawn  up 


188 


DENTITION 


from  the  follicle  wall.  By  this  means  the  roots  are  firmly  implanted. 
The  further  development  of  the  root  proceeds  until  complete,  and  so 
remains  until  normal  resorption  of  the  temporary  roots  occurs,  and 
for  life  in  the  permanent  teeth. 

The  state  of  formation  of  the  roots  of  temporary  teeth  at  any 
given  age  may  be  judged  by  the  table  of  averages  shown  by  Peirce 
in  Fig.  104.    Being  but  averages,  allowance  for  delays  must  be  made. 

Apart  from  the  presence  of  the  temporary  teeth  the  process  of 
eruption  is  identical  in  both  sets  of  teeth. 

Periods  of  Eruption. — As  a  general  rule,  the  eruption  of  the 
deciduous  teeth  may  be  said  to  begin  about  the  seventh  month  after 
birth,  and  is  completed  somewhere  about  the  twenty-fifth  month. 
This  rule,  however,  varies  within  wide  limits;  some  children  may  be 
born  with  teeth  erupted;  again,  the  initiation  of  the  process  may  not 
occur  until  the  twelfth  month,  or  even  later. 

The  incisor  teeth  are  usually  erupted  in  pairs,  the  molars  and 
cuspids  making  their  appearance  in  fours,  the  first  molars  in  one 
group,  the  cuspids  in  another,  and  the  second  molars  in  a  third  group. 
The  several  groups  require  different  lengths  of  time  to  complete  their 
eruption,  the  time  occupied  in  the  eruption  of  the  first  molars  being 
longer  than  that  required  for  the  eruption  of  the  other  groups. 
Between  the  appearance  of  additional  groups  of  the  teeth  an  interval 
elapses,  no  doubt  a  physiological  provision,  for,  as  will  be  shown 
later,  the  process  of  dentition  is  usually  accompanied  by  evidences  of 
more  or  less  local  disturbance,  frequently  by  disturbances  through- 
out the  intestinal  tract,  and  even  reflex  disorders  of  the  central 
nervous  system  occur.  It  is  believed,  therefore,  that  the  period 
which  elapses  between  the  eruption  of  the  dental  groups  permits 
the  organism  to  recover  from  the  effects  of  previous  disturbance 
before  the  new  source  of  irritation  appears. 

-*  Tablei 


Group  1 

Lower  central  in- 

Time of  eruption, 

Duration  of  eruption. 

Interval,  2  to  3  months. 

cisors 

7  months 

1  to  10  days 

Group  2 

Uppercentraland 

Time  of  eruption, 

Duration  of  eruption. 

Interval,  2  months. 

lateral  incisors 

9  months 

4  to  6  weeks 

Group  3 

Lower  lateral  in- 
cisors 

Time  of  eruption, 
12  months 

Group  4 

First  molars 

Time  of  eruption, 
14  months 

Duration  of  eruption, 
1  to  2  months 

Interval,  4  to  5  months. 

Group  5 

Cuspids 

Time  of  eruption, 
18  months 

Duration  of  eruption, 
2  to  3  months 

Interval,  3  to  5  months. 

Group  0 

Second  molars 

Time  of  eruption. 

Duration  of  eruption. 

• 

26  months 

3  to  5  months 

1  Coleman's  Dental  Surgery.      (Stellwagen.) 


PATHOLOGICAL   FIRST  DENTITION  189 

111  the  above  table  it  will  be  noted  that  the  time  of  eruption  of 
the  lower  lateral  incisors  is  later  than  that  of  the  eruption  of  the  upper 
lateral  incisors.  The  reverse  course  is  frequently  observed;  indeed, 
it  has  usually  been  accepted  as  the  rule  of  precedence  in  the  United 
States.  All  tables,  as  to  periods  of  eruption,  give  but  the  approxi- 
mate times;  while  variations  are  extremely  common.  The  ages 
given  in  this  table  are  those  at  about  which  the  several  teeth  ma\' 
be  expected  to  make  their  appearance.  Stellwagen  (the  American 
editor  of  Coleman),  in  commenting  upon  this  table,  states  that  the 
periods  of  eruption  in  this  country  are  from  one-seventh  or  more 
earlier  than  the  dates  given.  He  suggests  that  the  difference  in 
food  habit  may  account  for  the  differences  in  time. 

Pari  passu  with  the  development  and  eruption  of  the  teeth  occur 
developmental  changes  in  all  of  the  glandular  appendages  of  the 
alimentary  canal ;  probably  the  alterations  in  their  structure,  and  no 
doubt  in  their  physiological  chemistry,  are  accompanied  by  dental 
provision  for  the  mechanical  subdivision  of  foods  of  postinfantile 
character. 

Symptoms  of  Eruption. — Slight  local  disturbances  are  so  com- 
mon in  even  so-called  normal  first  dentition  as  to  be  accepted  as 
physiological.  The  resorption  of  soft  tissue  around  the  tip  of  the 
crown  of  the  tooth  implies  a  condition  of  mild  non-septic  inflamma- 
tion at  that  point.  In  more  marked  cases  there  is  e^'idence  of  some 
irritation  cognizable  to  the  infant;  the  gum  is  of  a  somewhat  deeper 
color  and  its  temperature  is  elevated.  Relief  is  afforded  by  pressure, 
which  temporarily  reduces  the  hyperemia,  and  the  child  is  pleased 
to  have  its  gums  rubbed,  to  bite  upon  its  own  or  the  nurse's  fingers, 
upon  rings  or  other  objects.  Still  more  marked  is  the  soothing  effect 
of  biting  upon  cold  substances,  such  as  ice,  which,  in  addition  to 
mechanically  lessening  the  blood  supply,  causes  contraction  of  the 
dilated  vessels. 

Slight  reflex  disturbances  are  evidenced  by  the  stimulation  of  the 
salivary  glands,  which  produces  an  increased  flow  of  saliva. 

Reflex  disturbances  of  more  severe  character  occur  in  pathological 
dentition,  to  be  considered  later. 


PATHOLOGICAL  FIRST  DENTITION 

The  local  disturbances  may  be  exaggerated  beyond  that  degree 
accepted  as  physiological,  and  may  be  accompanied  by  nervous, 
alimentary,  pulmonary,  or  cutaneous  disturbances.  This  is  patho- 
logical dentition,  and  may  be  of  several  grades  of  severity. 


190  DENTITION 

Causes  and  Pathology. — The  primary  cause  of  pathological  dentition 
may  be  stated  as  an  inequality  in  the  rate  of  gum  resorption  and 
crown  advance.  The  advancing  crown  pressing  upon  the  gum  tissue 
causes  irritation;  the  hyperemia  or  mild  aseptic  inflammation  result- 
ing, instead  of  remaining  at  a  point  favoring  the  development  of 
giant  cells  and  resorption,  passes  the  physiological  point  and  causes 
a  disturbance  of  function.  Inflammation,  simple  or  even  infective, 
may  occur  in  the  area. 

Swelling  of  the  gum  occurs,  which,  being  distributed  in  all  direc- 
tions, presses  upon  the  crown,  depressing  it  upon  the  pulp  beneath 
the  sharp  root  margins;  at  the  same  time  the  blood  pressure  of  the 
pulp  tends  to  press  the  tooth  upward.  The  simple  lack  of  resorption 
of  the  gum  would  be  almost  equally  effective  in  preventing  eruption. 

The  sharp  edges  of  the  root  must  irritate  the  sensitive  and  delicate 
pulp  tissue,  which  becomes  inflamed  and  swollen,  and  still  more 
strongly  urges  the  tooth  upward.  Two  sources  of  disturbance  now 
are  possible:  (1)  The  irritated  gum  tissue  and  (2)  the  irritated  pulp. 
The  latter  is  the  more  likely  to  cause  reflex  disturbances.  Through 
the  intimate  sympathetic  relations  of  the  fifth  cranial  nerve,  supplied 
to  the  pulp,  with  the  seventh,  ninth,  and  tenth  cranial  nerves  in  and 
about  the  floor  of  the  fourth  ventricle  of  the  brain,  salivary,  muscular, 
nervous,  alimentary,  and  pulmonary  disturbances  become  possible. 

Though  the  pulp  is  more  likely  to  produce  the  reflex  disturbance, 
a  gum  inflammation,  if  intense,  is  often  capable  of  producing  even 
prostrating  symptoms.  Any  systemic  disturbance — e.  g.,  measles, 
general  debihty,  or  lesser  disturbance,  etc. — which  lowers  the  gen- 
eral nutritive  function  also  in  the  parts  associated  with  the  teeth, 
may  favor  the  production  of  local  pathological  phenomena.  Again, 
systemic  disturbance  readily  produces  a  hyperesthesia  of  the  nervous 
system,  favoring  the  production  of  nervous  phenomena. 

Pathological  dentition  may  occur  in  the  absence  of  an  evident 
hyperemic  gum  tissue.  The  tissue  may  be  white,  showing  ischemia 
from  pressure,  a  binding  down  of  the  root  end  upon  the  pulp  being 
proved  by  the  subsidence  of  symptoms  after  lancing,  and  sometimes 
by  the  rapid,  partial  eruption  of  the  tooth  immediately  after  lancing. 

Again,  pathological  phenomena  have  been  noted  where  no  super- 
ficial local  disturbance  was  evident.  In  these  cases  the  deeper  tissues 
may  exert  a  restraining  influence  upon  the  crown,  but  the  swelling 
is  just  as  probable. 

It  is  to  be  understood  that  the  nervous  and  digestive  systems  of 
the  child  are  in  a  developmental  condition,  and  therefore  in  unstable 
physiological  equilibrium,  so  that  any  added  physiological  work,  such 
as  unusual  growth  or  dentition,  may  be  more  than  the  organism 


PATHOLOGICAL  FIRST  DENTITION  191 

can  endure  without  a  definite  loss  of  general  vital  potential.  This 
may  be  further  complicated  by  hereditary  defects  of  tissue,  such  as 
neurotic,  degenerative,  or  syphilitic  taint,  or  conditions  of  hygiene  or 
feeding  tending  to  lower  the  health  standard. 

Ottofy  offers  the  following  report,  by  the  Bureau  of  Health  of 
^Manila,  of  3250  deaths  before  twelve  months  of  age: 

Before  completing  one  montli 647 

During  second  and  third  months 302 

Various  causes  not  dental 959 

Four  to  twelve  months  due  to  convulsions  and  eclampsia 1342 

Total 3250 

Showing  a  large  number  of  deaths  due  to  causes  in  which  dentition 
may  have  been  a  determining  or  complicating  factor. 

Dr.  William  P.  Spratley,  medical  superintendent  of  an  institution 
for  epileptics,  states  it  as  his  opinion  that  pathological  first  and  second 
dentition  is  a  determining  cause  of  epilepsy  in  children  having 
neuropathic  taint  in  that  direction.^ 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  pathological  dentition  are  both  local 
and  general. 

Local  Symptoms. — The  local  symptoms  are  usually  those  of  inflam- 
mation, red  and  swollen  gum  tissues  at  times  assuming  a  dusky  hue. 
The  gums  may  be  white,  and  often  glistening,  indicating  their  tense 
stretching  over  the  crowns.  In  the  gum  over  the  erupting  tooth 
there  may  exist  a  vesicular  enlargement  containing  fluid. ^  Evidence 
of  local  irritability  is  given  by  the  fact  that  the  child  resists  the 
touching  of  the  gums,  seizes  the  breast  or  bottle  nipple,  and  imme- 
diately releases  it. 

The  readiness  with  which  the  child  will  take  cold  substances,  ice 
or  iced  water,  is  notable  and  self-explainable.  Alternate,  excessive 
flow  of  saliva  and  oral  dryness  are  present. 

In  the  more  marked  cases  of  local  disturbance  evidences  of  bacterial 
infection  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth  may  make  their 
appearance,  such  as  ulcerative  stomatitis.  While,  as  a  rule,  the 
breaking  down  and  ulceration  of  the  tissue  are  confined  to  the  parts 
overlying  the  erupting  teeth,  a  general  stomatitis  or  widely  scattered 
patches  of  ulceration  may  make  their  appearance.  The  localized 
condition  has  been  called  odontitis  infantum. 

General  Symptoms. — The  general  symptoms  ma}'  be  differ- 
entiated into  mild  and  severe. 

The  mild  symptoms  are  such  as  are  attendant  upon  severe  and 
painful  inflammations  about  the  face  at  almost  any  age;  thus  anorexia, 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1905.  -  Tomes:    System  of  Dental  Surgery. 


192  DENTITION 

fretfulness,  anger,  restlessness,  sleeplessness,  thirst,  mild  fever,  and 
evident  desire  for  the  upright  position  occur.  The  pain  is  at  times 
parox}'smal,  but  may  become  continuous. 

These  symptoms  subside  upon  the  eruption  of  the  tooth  or  lancing, 
though  erupting  cuspids,  bound  by  a  ring  of  tense  gum  tissue  or  by 
adjoining  teeth,  may  continue  the  irritation  even  when  apparently 
erupted  (Fig.  139,  C). 

The  more  severe  general  symptoms  are  such  as  are  brought  about 
by  reflex  neuroses. 

The  roots  of  the  fifth  cranial  nerves  supplied  to  the  teeth  are  in 
intimate  relation  with  the  roots  of  the  seventh,  ninth,  and  tenth 
cranial  nerves  in  the  floor  of  the  fourth  ventricle,  as  well  as  with  other 
cranial  nerves.  It  may  be  argued  upon  a  priori  grounds  that  irrita- 
tion of  the  peripheral  ends  of  the  fifth  in  the  pulp  tissue  may  therefore 
readily  produce  neurotic  results  in  the  brain,  salivary  glands,  skin, 
lungs,  or  larynx,  intestinal  canal,  or  muscles  of  the  face  or  extremities. 

Taking  the  intestinal  canal  as  the  most  complicated  example,  we 
find  the  following  data:  The  stomach  and  intestines  are  under  the 
influence  of  the  pneumogastric  nerve,  which  sends  to  its  muscular 
coats  both  stimulant  and  inhibitory  fibers.  Likewise  it  sends  vaso- 
motor fibers  to  the  intestines,  division  of  which  leads  to  inhibition 
of  the  muscular  fibers  of  the  vessels  and  leads  to  vasodilatation 
and  a  great  increase  of  very  watery  succus  entericus.^ 

Intestinal  Disturbances. — That  intestinal  disturbances  may  arise 
independently  of  teething  is  self-evident.  They  are  most  liable 
to  so  occur  during  the  very  period  during  which  teething  may  be 
supposed  to  act  as  a  primary  cause  of  intestinal  troubles;  hence 
difi'erentiation  becomes  important. 

That  the  conditions  may  be  associated  is  also  evident.  As  a  rule, 
intestinal  disturbances  arise  from  improper  feeding,  the  food  acting 
as  an  indigestible  irritant  to  the  stomach  and  intestines.  Even  an 
excessive  quantity  of  good  breast  or  bottle  milk  may,  if  not  regurgi- 
tated, act  as  an  intestinal  irritant.  The  milk  of  an  excited,  exhausted, 
or  debauched  nurse  may  also  act  deleteriously.  Fermentation  due  to 
bacteria  ensues,  and  diarrhea  and  colic  are  a  natural  result. 

Musser^  attributes  these  cases  to  development  of  the  Bacillus  coli 
communis  and  Bacterium  lactis  aeriformis  existing  harmlessly  in  the 
normal  intestine,  but  developing  under  the  abnormal  conditions. 

This  occurring  in  warm  weather  when  the  child  suffers  from 
intense  heat  has  a  very  debilitating  if  not  fatal  result. 

The  condition  may  be  viewed  as  an  infective  diarrhea  following 

1  Halliburton:    Kirke's  Physiology,  1896,  p.  G84.  -'  Medical  Diagrnosi?. 


PATHOLOGICAL  FIRST  DENTITION  193 

a  vasomotor  disturbance  of  the  intestinal  walls  set  up  by  reflexes 
primarily  caused  by  the  indigestible  food.  The  vital  resistance  is 
lowered  by  the  disturbed  alimentation  and  the  pain. 

A  similar  train  of  circumstances  may  be  caused  by  teething. 
Peripheral  irritation  of  terminals  of  the  fifth  nerve  in  the  pulp  may, 
through  the  tenth  nerve,  cause  a  reflex  vasomotor  dilatation  in  the 
walls  of  the  intestines — i.  e.,  hyperemia,  a  condition  which  favors 
bacterial  invasion.  Intestinal  digestion  is  disordered,  the  vital 
resistance  lowered,  and  an  infection  ordinarily  resisted  occurs. 

Diarrhea  may  follow.  In  either  case  alimentation  is  interfered 
with  and  the  general  nutrition  suffers.  The  child  is  debilitated  by 
lack  of  nutrition;  moreover,  toxic  substances  are  generated  in  the 
intestine,  which  cause  a  toxemia,  to  which  many  of  the  general 
symptoms  may  be  attributed,  such'  as  fever,  meningitis,  stupor, 
coma,  and  death.  The  general  debility  also  further  interferes  with 
the  process  of  dentition. 

Diagnosis. — A  diarrhea  due  to  improper  feeding  would  not  be 
preceded  by  symptoms  of  pathological  dentition,  would  have  a 
history  of  improper  feeding,  and  possibly  of  unhygienic  conditions, 
such  as  unsterilized  milk  or  milk  bottles,  filthy  surroundings,  etc. 
There  is  a  catarrhal  diarrhea  accompanied  by  vomiting  and  constant 
acid,  watery  stools.  The  stools  may  have  a  chopped-spinach  char- 
acter.   There  is  colic  due  to  collections  of  gas. 

Such  an  infective  diarrhea  may  readily  follow  the  reflex  and 
debilitating  effects  of  pathological  dentition,  as  shown  above. 

White^  has  noted  that  a  choleraic  diarrhea  may  accompany  and  be 
a  sign  of  pathological  dentition.  Barrett^  states  that  a  diarrhea  due 
to  dentition  will  probably  be  followed  by  constipation. 

A  symptomatic  diarrhea  will,  as  a  rule,  be  accompanied  by  signs 
of  pathological  dentition  at  points  in  the  jaws  at  which  teeth  should 
be  in  process  of  eruption. 

Nervous  Disturbances. — ^Disorders  referable  to  the  central 
nervous  system  are  the  most  alarming  and  are  those  indicating  the 
higher  grades  of  severity  of  irritation. 

The  milder  forms  of  these  are  faint  muscular  twitchings  and 
evidences  of  slight  cerebral  disturbance. 

Either  of  these  may  be  the  result  of  poisons  absorbed  from  the 
alimentary  canal  during  the  course  of  intestinal  fermentation,  but  as 
cases  of  even  convulsions  have  occiirred  without  other  cause  than 
teething  apparent,  and  been  relieved  by  lancing  alone,  the  possibility 
of  direct  connection  between  teething  and  central  nervous  disturbance 
must  be  admitted. 

'  American  System  of  Dentistry.  -  Oral  Pathology  and  Practice. 

13 


194  DENTITION 

A  distressing  symptom,  not  easy  to  elicit  on  account  of  the  age  of 
the  patient,  is  headache.  The  child  is  sleepless,  and  cries  without 
apparent  cause;  it  becomes  quiet,  partially  from  exhaustion,  and 
after  a  period  again  commences  sobbing.  The  indication  of  central 
disturbance  may  at  times  be  noted  in  the  contracted  pupils  of  the 
eyes  and  in  throbbing  arteries.  The  usual  treatment,  the  adminis- 
tration of  chloral  hydrate  and  potassium  bromide,  with  cold  appli- 
cations to  the  head,  furnishes  relief  which  is  frequently  not  complete 
without  attention  to  the  dental  organs. 

In  the  more  severe  and  dangerous  cases  the  evidences  of  disorder 
of  the  central  nervous  system  become  unmistakable.  These  appear 
as  clonic  convulsions  or  symptomatic  eclampsia.  While  it  is  probable 
in  many  cases  that  reflex  irritation  from  the  process  of  dentition  in 
itself  is  but  a  secondary  cause  of  convulsions,  yet  evidence  is  sufficient 
to  warrant  its  being  regarded  as  a  determining  factor.  In  very  many 
cases  teething  convulsions  appear  to  indicate  a  neurotic  family  taint, 
and  eclampsia  may  attend  many  disorders  in  children  of  this  type, 
notably  the  mechanical  and  chemical  irritation  induced  by  the 
presence  of  large  masses  of  indigestible  food  in  the  intestines. 

So-called  teething  convulsions  occur  usually  at  a  time  when  several 
teeth  are  in  process  of  eruption.  The  onset  of  the  convulsion  is 
rarely,  although  apparently  often,  sudden.  If  the  child  be  closely 
observed,  it  is  noted  that  a  period  of  cerebral  disturbance — ^fretful 
crying,  evidences  of  headache,  sleeplessness,  etc. — ^is  followed  by  a 
period  of  dulness  and  somnolence,  or  the  child  may  lie  with  eyes 
half  open.  Twitching  of  one  or  more  groups  of  muscles  may  be 
observed;  the  orbicularis  oris  and  other  muscles  of  the  lips,  and  the 
muscles  of  the  eye,  notably  the  superior  and  internal  recti,  may 
contract  spasmodically.  A  common  muscular  spasm  ushering  in  con- 
vulsions is  that  of  the  abductor  muscles  of  the  thumb;  the  thumbs 
are  drawn  toward  the  palms  of  the  hands.  The  adductor  muscles  of 
the  feet  contracting,  the  feet  are  drawn  inward.  This  period  may 
be  ushered  in  by  a  sharp  cry,  the  eyes  roll  upward  with  the  lids 
half  open,  and  consciousness  is  lost.  The  symptoms  may  disappear, 
the  child  awakening  dazed  and  fretful;  or  it  may  sink  into  sleep. 
Unless  the  source  of  irritation  be  removed,  or  active  therapeutic 
measures  be  instituted,  the  eclampsia  may  return  and  in  severe 
cases  be  the  precursor  of  death. 

Infantile  paralysis  of  a  group  of  muscles  or  even  a  single  muscle 
has  been  recorded,  lasting  from  a  few  days  to  months,  appearing  with 
dentition  and  disappearing  after  it.  In  some  cases  it  persists  for 
life.^    Strabismus,  if  produced,  may  also  persist. 

■  White:   American  System  of  Dentistry. 


PATHOLOGICAL  FIRST  DENTITION  195 

Skin  Disorders. — It  is  so  common  as  to  be  almost  termed  the  rule 
to  find  that  when  there  are  intestinal  symptoms  there  are  eruptions 
observable  on  the  skin.  The  mildest  form  of  these  is  an  herpetic 
eruption  about  the  mouth;  in  other  cases  papular  and  vesicular 
eruptions  are  observed  upon  the  skin  of  the  body  and  limbs. 

Occurring  within  the  mouth  infection  may  be  added  and  ulcerati\'e 
stomatitis  may  occur  upon  the  gums,  tongue,  lips,  or  inside  of  the 
cheek. 

Pulmonary  Sy:mptoms. — ^Pulmonary  irritation  may  be  expressed  in 
laryngeal  cough  attending  the  eruption  of  teeth,  and  disappearing 
thereafter. 

Treatment  of  Pathological  First  Dentition. — This  may  be  divided  into 
prophylactic  and  remedial.  The  prophylactic  measures  include  care 
as  to  pasteurization  of  milk  or  modified  milk  diet,  sterilization  of 
bottles,  bottle  nipples  and  rings,  the  prevention  of  the  introduction  of 
unclean  fingers  into  the  mouth  of  the  child,  and  the  antiseptic  care 
of  its  mouth  by  frequent  washings  with  a  saturated  solution  of  boric 
acid  in  water.  This  last  may  be  applied  to  the  mouth  on  a  soft,  linen 
rag  wrapped  on  the  forefinger.  These  measures,  together  with  the 
proper  feeding,  ventilation,  and  care  as  to  clothing,  which  should 
give  comfort  and  not  be  in  any  way  irritating,  tend  to  prevent  intes- 
tinal fermentation  and  to  reduce  the  general  irritability  of  the  infant. 

Remedial  Measures. — To  reduce  local  hyperemia  of  the  gum 
above  an  erupting  tooth  a  common  domestic  measure  is  valuable,  viz., 
a  small  block  of  ice  is  placed  in  a  corner  of  a  clean  napkin,  and  con- 
fined in  place  by  a  thread ;  the  infant  places  it  in  its  mouth  at  pleasure 
if  old  enough,  or  the  nurse  permits  the  child  to  bite  upon  it.  The 
mechanical  effect  of  biting  upon  a  hard  substance  has  added  to  it  a 
degree  of  cold  which  lessens  the  local  vascular  engorgement. 

Any  severe  local  irritation  about  erupting  teeth  should  be  relieved 
by  thorough  lancing  of  the  gum.  It  is  irrational  that  the  child  should 
be  permitted  to  suffer  from  local  irritation  which  may  develop  into 
more  serious  complications. 

This  operation  is  performed  by  dividing  the  gum  lineally  o^-er  the 
incisors  and  cuspids  before  eruption,  crucially  ovev  the  cuspids  after 
eruption  of  the  cusps  only,  crucially  over  the  upper  first  molar,  and 
\^^th  an  X-incision  over  the  upper  second  and  lower  first  and  second 
molars  (Fig.  139). 

For  severe  cases  Flagg  advised  the  removal  of  a  block  of  gum 
from  over  a  molar.  A  cut  is  made  parallel  with  the  lingual  side  of 
the  crown,  a  second  parallel  with  the  buccal  side,  a  third  parallel 
with  the  mesial  side.  A  tenaculum  is  thrust  into  the  block  of  gum, 
which  is  drawn  tense,  and  then  divided  at  the  distal  portion,  prefer- 


196  DENTITION 

ably  with  a  pair  of  curved  gum  scissors.  Lacking  these  latter,  the 
bistoury  may  be  used. 

The  cut  over  the  upper  incisors  should,  if  possible,  be  made  a 
little  to  the  outside  of  the  cutting  edge,  that  for  the  lower  to  the 
inside,  in  order  that  their  crowns  may  take  a  proper  direction  toward 
occlusion. 

The  instrument  to  be  used  is  a  sharp-pointed  bistoury,  as  it 
penetrates  well  and  permits  a  free  draw  cut.  It  is  to  be  wrapped 
with  tape  or  a  strip  of  linen  cloth  until  only  one-quarter  of  an  inch  of 
the  point  is  exposed.  This  precaution  prevents  accidental  wounds. 
The  child  must  be  securely  held  by  an  assistant  the  least  sympathetic 
available. 

Flagg's  method  was  to  place  the  child  upon  its  back  across  the  lap 
of  the  assistant,  who,  in  one  position,  places  his  left  hand  over  the 
child's  eyes,  securing  the  head;  his  right  hand  secures  the  hands  upon 
the  abdomen,  while  the  legs  are  held  against  his  body  by  the  right 
arm.  The  position  may  be  exactly  reversed.  The  feet  should  be 
placed  toward  the  light  for  the  upper  jaw,  the  reverse  for  the  lower 
jav.'.  In  another  position  the  child  sits  upon  one  thigh  of  the  assist- 
ant, the  back  of  the  head  resting  upon  the  chest,  and  the  hand  of  that 
side  (usually  the  right)  pressed  upon  the  child's  forehead  to  hold  the 
head  firmly.  The  other  hand  and  forearm  hold  the  child's  hands 
and  legs  firmly. 

The  operator  encloses  the  gum  about  the  part  to  be  cut  with  the 
thumb  and  forefinger  of  the  left  hand,  so  that  the  bistoury  cannot 
slip  and  cut  lip,  cheek,  or  tongue.  Incision  over  the  erupting  tooth 
should  be  made  until  the  knife-blade  is  felt  to  touch  the  enamel 
surface.  The  operation  of  scarifying  the  gums,  making  merely  a  few 
scratches  to  relieve  engorged  vessels,  is  but  temporizing  with  the 
condition;  the  cut  should  be  of  sufficient  extent  to  entirely  remove 
tension  from  above  the  tooth.  The  little  finger  of  the  right  hand  may 
rest  upon  the  chin  of  the  child  as  an  additional  guard. 

If  the  child  bite,  a  cork  with  a  string  attached  for  safety  may  be 
used  as  a  prop. 

Mote  or  less  bleeding  follows  upon  the  operation,  and,  as  a  rule, 
ceases  spontaneously.  A  short  period  of  bleeding  is  desirable,  so  that 
vascular  engorgement  may  be  reduced.  Suckling  by  the  breast  or 
bottle  usually  serves  to  check  the  bleeding;  the  tissues  about  the  cut 
surfaces  are  compressed  by  tongue  and  lips  during  suckling,  and 
bleeding  ceases.  In  the  event  of  the  bleeding  continuing,  the  mouth 
should  be  carefully  examined,  and  a  piece  of  ice  in  a  napkin  may  be 
given  the  child  to  suck.  The  child  may  swallow  the  blood  and  later 
regurgitate  it.     Obstinate  bleeding  may  require  the  use  of  styptics. 


PATHOLOGICAL  FIRST  DENTITION  197 

but  these  should  he  of  a  character  to  cause  only  coagulation  of  the 
blood,  not  the  destruction  of  tissue.  A  little  powdered  tannin  laid 
upon  the  cut  acts  promptly,  as  does  also  a  small  amount  of  powdered 
alum.  In  some  cases  the  internal  treatment  may  be  necessary. 
(See  Hemophilia.) 

Death  has  occurred  from  hemorrhage  due  to  lancing  in  cases  of 
presumably  hemorrhagic  diathesis;  so  that  inquiry  as  to  family 
history  would  be  a  wise  precaution.  Obtaining  such  a  history,  the 
gravity  of  the  symptoms  alone  warrant  the  operation.  In  the  absence 
of  such  a  history  the  operation  is  to  be  held  as  trivial.  If  it  occurs  it 
should  be  treated  as  indicated  on  p.  114. 

The  operation  of  lancing  is  warranted  even  when  the  gimi  may 
be  likely  to  heal  over  the  tooth  by  formation  of  cicatricial  tissue, 
provided  symptoms  demand  it.  It  is  contraindicated  in  diphtheria 
and  erysipelas,  owing  to  the  danger  of  infection. 

Shock  has  occurred  in  long-continued  debilitated  cases,  and  if 
feared  a  trifle  of  brandy  in  water  may  be  given  previous  to  the 
operation. 

It  is  within  the  knowledge  of  the  writer  that  a  physician  has  refused 
to  lance  the  gums  in  a  case  diagnosticated  as  cerebral  meningitis, 
even  when  death  was  prognosticated  and  though  the  child  was  at 
an  age  rendering  pathological  dentition  possible,  and  in  spite  of  a 
history  of  pathological  dentition  in  a  previous  child  at  the  same  age. 
J.  Lewis  Smith^  concedes  the  similarity  of  occasional  symptoms  of 
pathological  dentition  and  cerebral  meningitis,  so  that  the  above 
therapy  was  foolish,  to  say  the  least,  and  especially  so  in  view  of  the 
probable  death,  which  did  occur.  In  many  desperate  cases  lancing 
has  effected  marvellously  rapid  recoveries,  aided  by  judicious  handling 
of  the  accessory  symptoms,  even  though  all  hope  from  ordinary 
therapy  had  been  abandoned. 

Treatment  of  Stomatitis. — Should  general  stomatitis,  with  or 
without  stomatitis  ulcerosa,  make  its  appearance,  the  mouth  is  to  be 
promptly  and  freely  sprayed  with  a  3  per  cent,  solution  of  hydrogen 
dioxid,  followed  by  a  spray  of  potassic  chlorate  (gr.  xx  to  5j),  which 
usually  affords  prompt  relief.  Should  the  spots  of  ulceration  not 
disappear  promptly,  the  mouth  and  tissues  about  the  ulcer  are  to 
be  guarded  by  soft  linen  napkins;  each  ulcer  is  dried  and  touched 
with  carbolic  acid,  full  strength.  The  spraying  is  to  be  repeated 
at  intervals  of  three  hours  during  the  waking  period. 

Treatment  of  Skin  Eruptions. — The  eruptions  which  appear 
upon  the  skin  during  dentition  may  be  a  source  of  annoyance  to 
the  child  by  causing  itching.    As  a  rule,  measures  directed  toward 

1  Diseases  of  Children. 


198  DENTITION 

a  regulation  of  the  intestinal  functions  cause  a  disappearance  of  the 
skin  affections.  If  the  eruption  be  widespread  and  cause  much 
itching,  a  wash  of  phenol-sodique  diluted  to  one-third  with  water 
usually  affords  relief.  If  the  surfaces  be  then  dried  and  talc  powder 
dusted  over  them  the  condition  is  much  alleviated.  About  the  mouth 
and  over  excoriated  surfaces  an  zinc  oxid  ointment  is  useful. 

Treatment  of  Intestinal  Symptoms. — The  fermentative  material 
in  the  bowel,  together  with  the  great  mass  of  bacteria  present,  should 
be  removed  by  the  use  of  a  cathartic.  It  is  indicated  in  both  con- 
stipation and  diarrhea.  Castor  oil  serves  well,  and  is  readily  taken 
by  children.  To  lessen  the  irritation  of  the  bowel,  laudanum  and 
powdered  acacia  may  be  added. 

The  following  formula  may  safely  be  used  even  at  six  months  of 
age: 

1^ — Tinctur£6  opii gtt.  x 

Olei  ricini fgiss 

Pulveris  acacise 3ij 

Saccharini gr.  ij 

AqusB  cinnamomi q.  s.  ad   fgiij — M. 

Sig. — Shake  the  bottle,  and  give  one  teaspoonful  each  two  hours  if  needed. 

For  an  additional  six  months  of  age  ten  drops  more  of  laudanum 
may  be  added  to  the  general  formula.  In  mild  cases  olive  oil  in  half- 
teaspoonful  doses  may  be  substituted. 

Following  catharsis,  antacid  sedative  astringents  and  intestinal 
antiseptics  are  indicated : 

I^— Saloli 3i 

Bismuthi  subnitratis Su 

Misturai  cretae ad  f5iij — M. 

Sig. — One  teaspoonful  every  four  hours.     (Biddle.) 

I^— Tincturs  opii gtt.  xvj 

Bismuthi  subnitratis Sij 

Misturffi  cretae fSiss 

Syr.  simp fgiss— M. 

Sig. — Shake  well,  and  give  in  teaspoonful  doses  every  four  hours.      (Barrett.) 

The  virtues  of  both  formulae  may  be  obtained  by  including  the 
laudanum  (gtt.  xii)  with  the  salol  formula. 

Listerine  in  10-drop  doses,  in  water,  every  three  hours,  serves 
as  an  intestinal  antiseptic. 

The  gums  are,  of  course,  to  be  lanced  at  the  outset  if  the  diarrhea 
be  due  to  pathological  dentition.  Following  the  intestinal  antisepsis 
the  general  debility  and  possible  intestinal  toxemia  (see  p.  94)  are 
to  have  careful  attention,  and  the  child's  food  is  to  be  properly 
adjusted  to  its  needs. 

J.  Lewis  Smith  claims  that  upon  the  following  diet  ill-conditioned 


PATHOLOGICAL  FIRST  DENTITION 


199 


children  under  his  care  in  the  hospital  escape  summer  diarrhea  and 
thrive;  the  diet  is  therefore  here  introduced. 

For  children  not  nourished  on  breast  milk  of  good  quality,  and 
those  over  three  months,  he  recommends  the  following  substitutes: 

1.  Heat  barley  flour  in  a  double  boiler,  the  water  in  the  outer  vessel 
to  be  kept  boiling  for  five  to  seven  days  to  burst  the  starch  granules 
(Robinson's  prepared  barley  flour  can  be  bought). 

2.  Take  of  this  flour  one  tablespoonful,  add  25  or  30  tablespoon- 
fuls  of  boiling  water,  and  boil  and  mix  for  five  minutes.  Cool  to 
blood  heat,  add  1  dram  of  diastase  to  change  the  starch  to  dextrin 
and  maltose.  Forbes'  diastase  or  Taka-diastase  can  be  bought.  Of 
the  latter  1  grain  will  change  150  grains  of  starch  to  sugar. 

Pasteurize  milk  by  heating  for  twenty  minutes  to  160°  F.  Cool 
quickly  on  ice  and  let  the  cream  separate.  To  two  and  one-half 
ounces  of  the  upper  half  add  a  little  peptogenic  milk  powder  (Fair- 
child's)  to  peptonize  it.  He  mixes  the  peptonized  milk  with  three 
and  one-half  ounces  of  the  dextrinized  gruel  at  a  meal,  and  feeds 
the  infant  nine  or  ten  times  at  two-hour  intervals.  Before  feeding 
administer  a  few  drops  of  a  digestive  ferment. 

For  use  in  emergency  he  recommends  two  heaped  teaspoonfuls 
of  condensed  milk  to  fifteen  teaspoonfuls  of  boiled  water,  as  equiva- 
lent to  seventeen  teaspoonfuls  of  ordinary  milk. 

He  gives  the  following  table  of  quantities  of  food  required  by 
infants;  either  breast  or  modified  cow's  milk  to  be  used. 


At  each  feeding. 
During  the  first  week 
At  the  third  week  . 
At  the  sixth  week  . 
At  the  third  month 
At  the  fourth  month 
At  the  sixth  month 
At  the  tenth  to  twelfth  month 


Number 

of 

Total  daily 

daily  feedi 

igs. 

Quantity. 

1      ounce 

10 

10  ounces. 

1}4  ounces 

10 

15 

2 

8 

16 

3 

8 

24        " 

4 

7 

28       " 

6 

6 

36       " 

8 

5 

40       " 

White,  following  Starr,  gives  the  following  schedule  of  the  diet  of  a 
hand-fed  infant  from  birth  upward,^  which  will  serve  as  a  suggestive 
and  useful  guide: 

Diet  during  the  First  Week 

Cream fSiiJ 

Sugar  of  milk gr.  xv 

Whey f5ss,  f3ij 

Water fjss,  fSiJ 

This  portion  to  be  given  every  two  hours  from  5  a.m.  to  11  p.m.,  and  in  some  instances  once  or 
twice  during  the  night. 


'  Diseases  of  the  Digestive  Organs  in  Infancy  and  Childhood,  by  Louis  Starr,  M.D. 


200  DENTITION 

Diet  from  the  Second  to  the  Fifth  Week- 

Milk f5ss  • 

Cream fSiJ 

Sugar  of  milk gr.  xv 

Water .      .      .  fBJ 

This  portion  to  be  given  every  two  hours  from  5  a.m.  to  11  r.M. 

Diet  from  the  Fifth  Week  to  the  End  of  the  Second  Month 

Milk fSi.  fSiJ 

Cream        .      .      .• f5s3 

Sugar  of  milk gr.  xxx 

Water f5i.  fSiJ 

This  portion  to  be  given  every  two  hours. 

Diet  during  the  Third  Month 

Milk fSiiss 

Cream f5ss 

Sugar  of  Milk 3J 

Water fSi 

This  portion  to  be  given  every  two  and  one-half  hours. 

Diet  during  the  Fourth  and  Fifth  Months 

Milk fSiiiss 

Cream fSss 

Sugar  of  milk 3J 

Water fSJ 

This  portion  to  be  given  every  three  hours. 

Diet  during  the  Six'h  Month 

Milk fSivss 

Cream f5ss 

Sugar  of  milk 3J 

Water f§i 

Tliis  portion  to  be  given  four  times  daily. 

Two  other  meals — morning  and  mid-day — may  be  as  follows: 

Milk fgivss 

Cream fSss 

Mellin's  Food 3J 

Hot  water       .      .      .    ' fSJ 

Dissolve  the  Mellin's  Food  in  the  hot  water,  and  add,  with  stirring,  to  the  previously  mixed 
milk  and  cream. 

In  the  seventh  month  the  Mellin's  Food  may  be  increased  to  two 
teaspoonfiils  and  given  three  times  daily. 

Throughout  the  eighth  and  ninth  months  five  meals  a  day  will  be 
sufficient— at  7  and  10.30  a.m.,  2,  6,  and  10  p.m. 

Milk f5viss 

Cream fBss 

Sugar  of  milk 3J 

Water fSJ 

This  portion  for  the  first  and  last  meals. 

For  the  other  three  meals  1  tablespoonfiil  of  Mellin's  Food  may  be 
added,  or  1  teaspoonful  of  "flour-ball"  may  be  given  twice  daily 
instead  of  the  Mellin's  Food — say  at  the  second  and  fourth  meals. 


PATHOLOGICAL  FIRST  DENTITION  201 

Diet  for  the  Tenth  and  Etecenth  Monthi 

First  meal,  7  a.m.: 

Milk fSviiiss 

Cream fjss 

Mellin's  Food 5ss 

(Or  "flour  ball"  or  barley  jelly S'j) 

Water fSj 

To  be  used  only  when  Mellin's  Food  is  employed. 

Second  meal,  10.30  a.m.:   Eight  ounces  of  warm  milk. 

Third  meal,  2  P.M.:  The  yolk  of  an  egg  lightly  boiled  with  stale 
bread  crumbs. 

Fourth  meal,  6  p.m.  :   Same  as  first. 

Fifth  meal,  10  p.m.:   Same  as  second. 

On  alternate  days  the  third  meal  may  consist  of  1  teacupful  (f5  vj) 
of  beef  tea  containing  a  few  stale  bread  crumbs. 

Beef  tea  for  an  infant  is  made  in  the  following  way :  One-half  pound 
of  fresh  rump  steak,  free  from  fat,  is  cut  into  small  pieces,  and  put 
with  1  pint  of  cold  water  into  a  covered  tin  saucepan.  This  must 
stand  by  the  side  of  the  fire  for  four  hours,  then  be  allow^ed  to  simmer 
gently  (never  boil)  for  two  hours,  and,  finally,  ]be  thoroughly  skimmed 
to  remove  all  grease. 

A  further  variation  can  be  made  by  occasionally  using  mutton, 
chicken,  or  veal  broths  instead  of  beef  tea. 

Diet  from  the  Tivelfth  to  the  Eighteenth  Month 
{Five  Meals  a    Day) 

First  meal,  7  a.m.  :  A  slice  of  stale  bread  broken  and  soaked  in  a 
breakfastcupful  (fSviij)  of  new  milk. 

Second  meal,  10  a.m.:  A  teacupful  of  milk  (f5vj)  with  a  soda 
biscuit  or  thin  slice  of  buttered  bread. 

Third  meal,  2  p.m.:  A  teacupful  of  beef  tea  (f5vj)  with  a  slice  of 
bread,  1  good  tablespoonful  of  rice,  and  milk  pudding. 

Fourth  meal,  6  p.m.  :   Same  as  first. 

Fifth  meal,  10  p.m.:  One  tablespoonful  of  Mellin's  Food  with 
1  breakfastcupful  of  milk. 

To  alternate  with  this: 

First  meal,  7  a.m.  :  The  yolk  of  one  egg  slightly  boiled  with  bread 
crumbs;  1  teacupful  of  new  milk. 

Second  meal,  10  a.m.:  A  teacupful  of  milk  with"  a  thin  slice  of 
buttered  bread. 

Third  meal,  2  p.m.:  A  mashed  boiled  potato  moistened  with  4 
tablespoonfuls  of  beef  tea;  2  good  tablespoonfuls  of  junket. 

Fourth  meal,  6  p.m.:  A  breakfastcupful  of  new  milk  with  a  slice 
of  bread  broken  up  and  soaked  in  it. 


202  DENTITION 

Fifth  meal,  10  p.m.  :    Same  as  second. 

The  fifth  meal  is  often  unnecessary,  and  sleep  should  not  be  dis- 
turbed for  it.  At  the  same  time,  should  the  child  awake  an  hour  or 
more  before  the  first  meal  time,  he  should  break  his  fast  upon  a  cup 
of  warm  milk,  and  not  be  allowed  to  go  hungry  until  the  set  breakfast 
hour. 


Diet  from  Eighteen  Months  to  the  End  of  Two  and  One-half 
Years  {Four  Meals  a  Day) 

First  meal,  7  a.m.:  A  breakfastcupful  of  new  milk;  the  yolk  of 
one  egg  lightly  boiled;  two  thin  slices  of  bread  and  butter. 

Second  meal,  11  a.m.:  A  teacupful  of  milk  with  soda  biscuit. 

Third  meal,  2  p.m.:  A  breakfastcupful  of  beef  tea,  mutton  or 
chicken  broth,  a  thin  slice  of  stale  bread,  a  saucer  of  rice,  and  milk 
pudding. 

Fourth  meal,  6.30  p.m.:  A  breakfastcupful  of  milk  with  bread 
and  butter. 

On  alternate  days: 

First  meal,  7  a.m.  :  Two  tablespoonfuls  of  thoroughly  cooked  oat- 
meal or  wheaten  grits,  with  sugar  and  cream;  1  teacupful  of  new 
milk. 

Second  meal,  11  a.m.  :  A  teacupful  of  milk  with  a  slice  of  bread  and 
butter. 

Third  meal,  2  p.m.:  One  tablespoonful  of  underdone  mutton 
pounded  to  a  paste;  bread  and  butter,  or  a  mashed  potato  moistened 
with  good  plain  dish  gravy;  a  saucer  of  junket. 

Fourth  meal,  6.30  p.m.:  A  breakfastcupful  of  milk,  a  slice  of  soft 
milk  toast,  or  a  slice  or  two  of  bread  and  butter. 

The  foregoing  schedule  must,  of  course,  be  regarded  as  an  average. 
Many  children  can  bear  nothing  but  milk  food  up  to  the  age  of  two 
or  even  three  years,  and  provided  enough  be  taken,  no  fear  for  their 
nutrition  need  be  entertained.  The  rule  to  adopt  is,  if  a  child  be 
thriving  on  milk  it  is  never  to  be  forced  to  take  additional  food 
merely  because  a  certain  age  has  been  reached.  Let  the  healthy 
appetite  be  the  guide. 

The  following  is  recommended  by  Starr  as  a  modified  milk  diet, 
and  as  a  substitute  for  mother's  milk  while  weaning: 

Pasteurized  cream f5ss 

Pasteurized  milk fgiisa 

Sugar  of  milk 3s3 

Water,  boiled fSJ 

Should  this  not  satisfy  the  infant,  increase  the  ingredients  (except  cream)  to  6,  8,  or  12  ounces. 


PATHOLOGICAL  FIRST  DENTITION  203 

Hare^  recommends  the  following  diet  list  followed  in  his  hospital 
practice : 

Diet  for  a  Child  Aged  Two  Years 

Breakfast,  7.30  a.m.:  Milk.  The  lightly  boiled  yolk  of  an  egg; 
thin  bread  and  butter  (the  bread  to  be  one  day  old) . 

Lunch,  11  A.M.:   Milk.    A  thin  slice  of  bread  and  butter. 

Dinner,  1.30  p.m.:  Beef  tea  or  small  piece  of  minced  roast  beef 
or  mutton  devoid  of  gristle.  One  well-mashed  potato  moistened  with 
gravy.    Rice  and  milk. 

Supper,  6  P.M.:    Milk.    Bread  and  butter. 

For  drink:   Boiled  or  filtered  water. 


Diet  for  a  Child  Aged  One  Year  (Five  Meals  a  Day) 

First  meal,  7  a.m.:  2  teaspoonfuls  of  grated  flour-ball  (prepared 
as  directed  below)  in  f  pint  of  milk. 

Second  meal,  10.30  a.m.:  ^  pint  of  milk  with  4  tablespoonfuls 
of  lime  water. 

Third  meal,  2  p.m.  :  The  yolk  of  one  egg  beaten  up  in  1  teacupful 
of  milk. 

Fourth  meal,  5.30  p.m.  :   Same  as  the  first. 

Fifth  meal,  11  p.m.:   Same  as  the  second. 

Flour-ball  is  to  be  made  by  taking  one  pound  of  good  flour — - 
unbolted,  if  possible — tie  it  up  very  tightly  in  a  pudding-bag;  put  it 
in  a  pot  of  boiling  water  early  in  the  morning,  and  let  it  boil  until 
bedtime,  then  take  it  out  and  let  it  dry.  In  the  morning  peel  off  the 
surface  and  throw  away  the  thin  rind  of  dough,  and  with  a  grater 
grate  down  the  hard,  dry  mass  into  a  powder.  To  use  this,  take 
from  1  to  2  teaspoonfuls  of  the  powder,  rub  it  down  until  smooth 
with  a  tablespoonful  of  cold  milk,  and  add  1  tumblerful  of  hot  milk, 
stirring  it  well  all  the  time. 

Diet  for  a  Child  Aged  from  Six  to  Twelve  Months 
(Five  Meals  a   Day) 

First  meal,  7  a.m.:  Mellin's  Food,  1  tablespoonful;  or  flour-ball 
grated,  1  or  2  teaspoonfuls  (prepared  as  directed  above) ;  hot  water, 
4  tablespoonfuls;  warm  milk,  enough  to  make  ^  pint.  Dissolve  the 
Mellin's  Food  or  rub  down  the  grated  flour-ball  in  the  hot  water  by 
stirring,  then  add  the  milk;  mix  thoroughly. 

'  Practical  Therapeutics. 


204  DENTITION 

Second  meal,  10.30  a.m.,  and  third  meal,  2  p.m.:  A  breakfastcup- 
ful  of  milk  with  4  tablespoonfuls  of  lime  water. 

Fourth  meal,  5.30  p.m.  :   Same  as  first. 

Fifth  meal,  10.30  p.m.:   Same  as  second. 

Treatment  of  Nervous  Conditions. — If  nervous  reflexes,  great 
irritability,  or  cerebral  congestion  appear,  attention  should  be 
directed  to  the  condition  of  the  bowels  and  the  teeth. 

If  constipation  or  diarrhea  exist,  a  cathartic  is  given  and  the  gums 
are  lanced.    A  cerebral  sedative  is  to  be  prescribed. 

I^ — Chloralis  hydratis gr.  ij 

Sodii  bromidi gr.  v 

Aquffi  menthse  piperitae .  fSiJ — M. 

Sig. — Per  orem.      One  dose;  enlarge  formula  for  repetition  as  needed. 

If  convulsions  be  threatened,  the  clothing  should  be  loosened  and 
cool  applications  made  to  the  head. 

If  the  child  be  in  convulsions,  it  should  be  immersed  to  the  waist 
in  water  as  hot  as  can  be  borne,  to  which  has  been  added  2  table- 
spoonfuls  of  common  mustard  flour,  and  cool  water  poured  over  its 
head,  when,  as  a  rule,  the  symptoms  promptly  subside.  Chloroform, 
which  children  endure  well,  may  be  administered. 

After  immersion  a  rectal  injection  of  1  dram  of  glycerin  or  a 
glycerin  suppository  will  usually  cause  a  free  stool.  A  cerebral 
sedative  should  be  administered. 

I^ — Chloralis  hydratis gr.  ij 

Sodii  bromidi gr.  v 

Starch  paste Sij — M. 

Sig. — To  be  adtoinistered  per  rectum.     (Atkinson.) 

It  is  well  also  to  administer  a  cathartic  to  unload  the  intestines  of 
irritating  substances  possibly  present. 

After  sleep,  if  appearances  indicating  dental  irritation  be  observed, 
gum  lancing  is  practised.  It  is  wise  that  this  operation  be  thus 
deferred,  as  convulsions  may  be  precipitated  by  the  act  of  lancing 
when  the  nervous  system  of  the  child  is  overexcited.  The  removal  of 
intestinal  irritants  by  a  cathartic  given  iper  orem  is  also  in  order 
before  lancing. 

It  has  been  repeatedly  noted  that  when  evidence  of  marked 
cerebrospinal  irritation  is  present,  for  which  no  probable  source  can 
be  assigned,  and  an  examination  of  the  gums  shows  no  apparent  local 
disturbance,  yet  if  it  be  at  a  period  when  one  or  more  teeth  are  in 
process  of  eruption,  but  are  still  covered  or  bound  down  by  gum 
tissue,  if  gum  lancing  be  practised  relief  is  immediate  and  the  lancing 
may  even  avert  a  threatened  attack  of  eclampsia.    It  is  presumed  that 


PATHOLOGICAL  FIRST  DENTITION  205 

these  are  cases  of  pulp  irritation  in  which  a  faihire  of  resorption  of 
tissue  in  advance  of  the  tooth  crown  has  caused  pressure  upon  the 
pulp  forming  the  root  end. 


Constitutional  States  Modifying  Dentition 

Children  who  are  the  victims  of  hereditary  syphilis  usually  cut 
their  teeth  very  early,  the  alveolar  process  being  in  many  cases 
insufficient.  Cases  are  recorded  where  children  have  been  born  with 
crowns  of  teeth  visible  upon  the  gum,  there  being  no  evidence  of  root 
formation,  the  crowns  being  loosely  held  to  the  gum  by  fibrous 
tissue.  It  is  necessary  to  remo^-e  these  loose  crowns  to  permit  the 
infant  to  suckle.  Children  aft'ected  with  rachitis  have  the  process 
of  eruption  much  delayed.  It  is  seen,  therefore,  that  the  presence  of 
loose  crowns  of  teeth  is  a  condition  pointing  to,  though  by  no  means 
diagnostic  of,  hereditary  syphilis.  Long-delayed  eruption  of  teeth 
should  prompt  a  search  for  further  indications  of  rachitis.  Particu- 
larly in  children  in  whom  a  history  of  hereditary  syphilis  is  obtainable 
the  process  of  dentition  may  be  accompanied  by  rapid  and  frequently 
widespread  breaking  down  of  the  soft  tissues  over  and  about  erupting 
teeth.  Local  measures  of  treatment  seem  to  be  of  but  little  avail, 
except  that  antiseptic  treatment  undoubtedly  prevents  complications 
from  extraneous  infection. 

In  children  classified  indefinitely  as  strumous,  which  may  mean  the 
children  of  syphilitic  or  tuberculous  parents,  or  those  with  no  such 
history  whose  surroundings  are  of  the  most  unhygienic  kind,  the 
process  of  dentition  may  not  only  have  an  untoward  course,  but 
phagedenic  ulcerations  may  occur.  It  is  usually  in  the  degree  of  a 
child's  debility,  either  inherited  or  acquired  through  improper  care, 
that  dentition  assumes  morbid  features.  The  treatment  of  such  cases 
must  be  directed  to  raising  the  health  standard.  As  local  therapeusis, 
no  measures  seem  more  effective  than  the  sprays  of  hydrogen  dioxid 
first;  next,  potassium  chlorate,  and,  if  conditions  indicate  it,  sprays  of 
dilute  listerine,  which  is  stimulant,  antiseptic,  and  slightly  astringent. 

Infantile  Scurvy. — Cases  are  reported  in  which  the  improper 
feeding  of  children  has  been  followed  by  evidences  of  scorbutus.  It 
occurs  usually  in  bottle-fed  babies  confined  to  patent  foods,  the 
nutritive  element  being  lacking.  The  gums  become  tumid,  and 
hemorrhagic  extravasations  occur  in  their  substance;  the  periosteum 
is  stripped  from  the  margins  of  the  alveolar  walls,  the  soft  tissues 
hanging  in  discolored,  pendulous  masses  about  and  beyond  the  teeth 
if  any  be  erupted. 


206  DENTITION 

The  child  is  peevish,  listless,  and  feeble.  There  is  apparent  pain 
in  the  limbs.^    The  urine  may  be  bloody  even  as  a  first  sign. 

The  treatment  is  largely  systemic,  and  consists  of  using  fresh  cow's 
milk  modified  to  conform  to  human  milk,  and  in  the  administration 
of  fresh  lemon  juice,  preferably  boiled,  allowed  to  settle,  and  the 
supernatant  fluid  used,^  or  orange  juice  is  also  used. 

The  mouth  should  be  sprayed  with  sedative  antiseptics,  such  as 
potassium  chlorate  in  hydrogen  dioxid  (p.  197). 


THE  SECOND  DENTITION 

By  reference  to  Fig.  110  it  will  be  seen  that  at  six  and  one-half  years 
of  age  the  twenty  temporary  teeth  are  still  all  in  position,  and  that 
taking  their  places  in  the  line  of  the  arch  are  the  four  permanent  first 
molars,  the  roots  of  which  are  still  incomplete. 

These  molars  do  not  replace  any  temporary  teeth,  but  during  the 
"change"  support  the  jaws  with  the  assistance  of  the  temporary 
molars  until  the  permanent  incisors  are  fully  erupted,  and  with  the 
aid  of  the  incisors  until  the  bicuspids  come  into  occlusion.  Their 
office  as  jaw  props  and  organs  of  mastication  during  the  change  is, 
therefore,  very  important.  Of  their  later  function  more  will  be  said 
farther  on. 

At  six  and  one-half  years  the  crowns  of  the  permanent  incisors 
lie  in  the  relations  shown  with  the  temporary  central  roots  resorbed 
and  the  lateral  root  partly  so.  Their  crowns  are  practically  complete, 
but  the  roots  are  unformed. 

The  cuspid  crown  in  its  crypt  lies  well  above  and  lingual  to  the 
unresorbed  temporary  cuspid  root.  The  roots  of  the  first  and  second 
temporary  molars,  a  trifle  resorbed  upon  the  inner  side,  embrace  the 
formed  crowns  of  the  first  and  second  bicuspids. 

In  their  crypts  back  of  the  first  molars  lie  the  forming  crowns  of 
the  second  permanent  molars.  The  third  molars  are  not  in  evidence 
in  the  illustration,  but  their  development  is  in  progress. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  permanent  central  and  lateral  incisors 
replace  the  temporary  central  and  lateral  incisors,  the  permanent 
cuspid  the  temporary  cuspid,  and  the  first  and  second  bicuspids 
the  first  and  second  temporary  molars  respectively. 

From  this  age  to  adult  age  as  previously  the  jaw  undergoes  constant 
change,  enlarges  by  constant  resorptions  and  depositions  of  bone,  and 
changes  its  contour  to  conform  to  the  changes  occurring  throughout 

1  Hare.  =  Ibid. 


THE  SECOND  DENTITION  207 

the  body,  and  to  accommodate  the  permanent  teeth,  which  are  in 
general  terms  larger  and  more  numerous  than  the  temporary  teeth. 

It  may  be  said  that  the  alveolar  process  built  about  the  roots  of 
temporary  teeth  and  the  roots  of  the  temporary  teeth  are  all  resorbed 
during  the  replacement  of  the  latter,  and  that  when  the  crowns  of 
the  permanent  teeth  are  fully  erupted  new  alveolar  process  is  built 
up  about  their  roots.  Any  subsequent  change  in  the  position  of  the 
permanent  teeth  is  accompanied  by  an  alteration  in  the  alveolar  pro- 
cess, and  after  extraction  the  latter  is  resorbed,  but  upon  an  implan- 
tation (which  see)  being  done  new  process  will  form.  Its  dependence 
upon  the  teeth  is,  therefore,  evident. 

The  following  table  gives  the  approximate  ages  for  the  eruption 
of  the  permanent  teeth: 

First  molars 5H  to    7  years 

Central  incisors 7      to    8  years 

Lateral  incisors ' 8      to    9  years 

First  bicuspids 10      to  11  years 

Second  bicuspids 11       to  12  years 

Cuspids,  the  lower  usually  preceding  by  a  year  or  more   .      .      .12      to  14  years 

Second  molars 14      to  15  years 

Third  molars 16      to  20  years 

and  indefinitely  beyond 

The  Process  of  Resorption  of  the  Temporary  Roots. — After  com- 
pletion of  formation  the  roots  of  the  temporary  teeth  remain  in  this 
state  but  a  short  time,  as  their  successors  are  ready  to  advance  to 
their  places. 

Comparing  the  ages  at  which  resorption  begins  with  the  ages  at 
which  it  is  complete  (eruption  of  permanent  teeth)  (see  Fig.  141),  it 
will  be  noted  that  approximately  three  and  one-half  years  are  required 
in  all  cases  for  the  removal  of  the  temporary  roots.  Therefore,  to 
determine  the  age  at  which  absorption  begins  deduct  three  and  one- 
half  years  from  the  date  of  eruption  of  the  corresponding  permanent 
tooth.     The  degree  of  resorption  at  any  age  is  shown  in  the  table. 

At  the  time  the  permanent  tooth  begins  its  advance  it  lies  in  a 
bony  crypt  above  and  lingual  to  its  predecessor,  except  in  the  case 
of  the  bicuspids,  which  lie  between  the  roots  of  the  temporary 
molars  (Fig.  110). 

Each  cr;y^t  has  its  own  follicle  wall  enclosing  a  permanent  tooth 
crown. 

In  the  follicular  wall  overlying  the  crown  appear  large  multinu- 
cleated cells  the  origin  of  which  is  unknown,  but  which  by  some  are 
thought  to  be  transformed  osteoblasts,  by  others  leukocytes  (Figs. 
142  and  143).  The  latter  is  the  probable  explanation,  as  analogous 
cells  are  found  about  tissues  or  foreign  bodies  about  to  undergo 


208 


DENTITION 


resorption  anywhere  in  the  body.  (See  Resorption.)  In  the  par- 
ticular situation  under  consideration  they  are  called  odontoclasts. 
The  tissue  between  the  root  and  crown  has  by  Tomes  been  given 


Fig.  141 


I  ^A    h\ 


lA  '!ii  "14  livi 


f'l     f\h\ 


Decalcification  of  the'deciduous  teeth.    The  numbers  indicate  years.     (Peirce.) 


Fig.  142 


Showing  the  relations  of  an  erupt- 
ing permanent  tooth  to  its  deciduous 
predecessor.  A,  A,  A,  odontoclasts 
in  absorbent  organ. 


The  structure  of  the  absorbent  organ,  showing 
multinucleated  or  giant  cells  (odontoclasts). 
(Tomes.) 

Fig.  144 


Jk   L^ 


Imprisonment  of  second  temporary  molar;  re- 
sorption of  its  roots,  with  absence  of  second 
bicuspid.     (Skiagraph  by  Custer.) 


the  name  of  the  "absorbent  organ"  (Figs.  142  A,  and  143).  These 
giant  cells  have  a  solvent  or  digestive  function  not  understood,  but 
which  is  competent  to  remove  both  the  organic  and  inorganic  matter 


THE  SECOND  DENTITION 


209 


of  cementum  and  dentin,  and  evidences  of  action  upon  enamel  in 
other  situations  are  not  wanting.  (See  Resorption  of  Enamel.) 
That  the  solvent  is  acid  is  shown  by  the  evidence  of  decalcification 
about  the  area  of  resorbed  enamel  of  unerupted  crowns  of  some 
permanent  teeth.  It  is  a  curious  fact  that  no  evidence  of  decalci- 
fication of  the  permanent  crown  has  been  demonstrated  to  result 
from  the  proximity  of  the  multinucleated  cells  in  cases  of  physio- 
logical resorption  of  roots.  In  all  probability  the  enamel  is  pro- 
tected by  the  presence  of  Xasmyth's  membrane,  which  is  resistant 
to  acids.  These  cells  are  probably  invited  by  irritation  due  to 
pressure  of  the  advancing  permanent  tooth  crown,  as  the  resorption 
is  almost  always  found  at  the  point  of  approximation  of  the  crown 
with  the  root,  or,  in  other  words,  at  the  pressure  point  (Fig.  145). 


Fig.  145 


Phases  of  resorption  of  temporary  roots.     (Skiagraph  by  Price.') 


Diagram  illustrating  the 
relation  of  a  resorbed  tempo- 
rary root  and  the  permanent 
tooth,  also  the  involvement  of 
the  pulp  as  a  part  of  the  re- 
sorbent  organ.  Resorption  of 
the  interior  of  crown  of  a 
temporary  tooth. 


Cases  of  resorption  of  temporary  roots  without  the  presence  of  a 
permanent  crown  are,  however,  noted  and  explained  by  Tomes 
upon  the  ground  that  resorption  is  a  vital  act  independent  of  the 
pressure  exerted  (Fig.  144).  As  resorption  of  permanent  roots, 
however,  has  often  occurred  from  pressure  of  the  crown  of  another 
tooth  and  occurs  at  the  pressure  point  in  physiological  resorption, 
localized  irritation,  even  in  the  absence  of  a  permanent  crown,  must 
be  credited  with  a  large  influence  in  the  process.  It  is  to  be  remem- 
bered also  that  in  the  absence  of  the  pressure  resorption  often  does 
not  occur,  at  least  for  twenty-five  or  more  years — e.  y.,  when  laterals 


1  Items  of  Interest,  1901. 


14 


210  DENTITION 

are  absent  and  the  permanent  cuspids  erupt  to  the  side  of  the 
deciduous  cuspids  (Fig.  148). 

According  to  Tomes,  redeposition  of  cementum  occurs  in  pre- 
viously resorbed  areas  upon  temporary  roots,  a  fact  corresponding 
with  effects  noted  in  permanent  roots. 

Teeth  frequently  erupt  lingually  or  labially  to  their  corresponding 
temporary  teeth,  both  remaining  in  the  mouth.  It  is  almost  invari- 
ably the  rule  upon  extraction  to  find  that  an  oblique  resorption  has 
occurred,  as  is  shown  in  the  right  upper  skiagraph  in  Fig.  145,  and 
generally  a  decided  hypervascularity  is  seen  in  the  pulp  extending 
upward  for  perhaps  a  quarter  of  an  inch. 

Doskow^  has  shown  by  the  prompt  loss,  by  absorption,  of  a  fairly 
firm  deciduous  cuspid  crowned  to  bring  it  up  to  level  and  so  to 
usefulness,  that  such  an  operation  is  inadvisable  because  of  an  inher- 
ent tendency  of  an  absorbent  organ  to  become  established.  Again, 
a  permanent  tooth  undergoing  resorption  often  remains  firm  until 
suddenly  the  strain  becomes  too  great. 

As  the  root  of  the  temporary  tooth  disappears  the  pulp  continu- 
ousiy  fuses  with  the  absorbent  organ,  so  that  when  the  crown  alone 
remains  the  pulp  is  still  vital  (Figs.  142  and  146).  At  times  it  seems 
to  take  up  the  resorbent  function  and  resorbs  the  crown  dentin  in 
some  cases  almost  entirely.  In  one  specimen  a  circumscribed  portion 
of  the  cementum  and  of  enamel  were  removed  by  it  at  the  point  of 
junction.  This  constituted  practically  a  case  of  perforation  by 
resorption  (Fig.  146).  The  tooth  was  at  first  thought  to  be  suffused 
with  hemoglobin,  as  it  was  of  a  pink  color.  After  extraction  the 
absorbent  organ  was  found  as  a  papilla  attached  to  the  gum.  At 
times  bay-like  excavations  in  the  crown  dentin  occur  (Fig.  183,  D). 
When  the  root  resorption  reaches  the  point  shown  in  the  central 
incisor  in  Fig.  110  the  temporary  tooth  is  loosened,  moves  about,  and 
annoys  the  child,  who  may  pick  it  out,  or  it  is  removed  by  extraction. 

Formation  of  the  Roots  of  Permanent  Teeth. — The  extent  of  root 
development  at  any  age  is  of  great  importance  in  view  of  canal  thera- 
peutics. Incomplete  roots  present  a  mechanical  difficulty  of  sealing 
the  apex  of  the  canal.  The  size  of  the  pulp  at  the  apical  foramen 
of  such  teeth  contraindicates  the  use  of  arsenic,  and  even  pressure 
anesthesia  is  often  unsuccessfully  applied. 

The  roots  are  developed  in  precisely  the  same  manner  as  in  the 
case  of  the  temporary  teeth,  by  the  combined  deposition  of  cementum 
by  the  osteogenetic  cells  of  the  follicular  wall,  which  is  drawn  up  on 
the  root  as  a  pericementum,  and  by  the  odontoblasts  of  the  papilla, 
which  is  drawn  up  as  a  pulp  (Fig.  105). 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1907. 


THE  SECOND  DENTITION 


211 


The  extent  of  development  of  any  of  the  permanent  teeth  may  be 
seen  at  a  glance  by  reference  to  the  valuable  table  of  Peirce  (Fig.  111). 


Fig.  147 


Absence  of  upper  left  lateral  incisor,  with  permanent  cuspid  in  its  place;  two  temporary 
cuspids  retained.     Man,  aged  twenty-five  years. 

Fig.  148 


Absence  of  upper  lateral  incisors  and  right  bicuspid.     Retention  of  temporary  cuspids.     From 

an  adult. 


So  graphically  does  this  table  give  the  desired  information  that 
explanation  becomes  unnecessary. 


212  DENTITION 

Irregularities  of  Second  Dentition. — Some  temporary  teeth  may 
be  retained  long  after  adult  age  is  reached.  The  teeth  most  subject 
to  this  are  the  cuspids  and  second  temporary  molars. 

In  the  case  of  the  cuspids  the  permanent  cuspid  is  delayed  or 
takes  an  unusual  direction,  erupting  lingually  or  labially,  or  at  times 
being  directed  into  the  place  normally  occupied  by  the  lateral 
incisors,  which  are  wanting,  or  very  rarely  the  cuspid  erupts  pos- 
teriorly to  the  first  bicuspid.  At  about  forty  years  of  age  the  tem- 
porary cuspids  may  b.e  lost  by  resorption  of  their  roots,  but  until 
such  time  should  be  retained  if  usefully  filling  a  space.  If  in  inter- 
ference with  proper  alignment  or  eruption  of  the  permanent  cuspid 
they  should  be  extracted.  Tlieir  late  resorption  is  somewhat  patho- 
logical in  character,  and  probably  due  to  or  incited  by  a  partial 
resorption  of  the  root  end  during  the  descent  of  the  permanent 
cuspid. 

The  late  enforced  loss  of  the  temporary  cuspid  indicates  the 
advisability  of  an  implantation  operation  (Fig.  148). 

The  molars  are  retained,  as  a  rule,  because  of  an  absence  of  per- 
manent crowns  to  cause  resorption,  although  this  may  occur  without 

such   pressure    (Fig.    144).     I    have 
^'°  1*^  seen  a  case  of  an  adult  lady   with 

eight  deciduous  molars  in  place. 
The  question  of  the  abnormal  de- 
velopment or  absence  of  perma- 
nent germs,  or  of  the  state  of  the 
rojts  of  the  temporary  tooth  may 
be  settled  by  the  ^--rays  (Figs.  145 
and  149). 

The    question    of    extraction     or 

Retained  temporary    molar  with    bi-       retention      dcpcuds     UpOU     the     diag- 
cuspid    present.         (Skiagraph      by     E.  .  f  " 

Ballard  Lodge.)  nosis.      A    farm    temporary     tooth 

should  never  be  extracted  simply  to 
allow  a  permanent  tooth  to  erupt  unless  the  presence  of  a  permanent 
tooth  in  the  jaw,  as  determined  by  skiagraph  or  other  means,  gives 
reasonable  inference  that  the  permanent  tooth  is  held  back  by  the 
temporary  tooth.  In  most  cases  a  reasonable  delay  is  advisable. 
A  patient  of  the  editor  wore  a  plate  for  thirteen  years  because  of  the 
injudicious  extraction  of  an  upper  temporary  cuspid,  the  permanent 
tooth  appearing  at  twenty-six  years  of  age. 

\\Tien  the  retention  of  temporary  molars  and  cuspids  occurs,  they 
are  apt  to  occupy  an  occlusal  level  lower  than  that  of  the  permanent 
teeth  (Fig.  144).  They  may  not  be  in  occlusion  at  all,  as  was  the 
case  with  the  eight  molars  just  referred  to.     This  proves  the  fact 


THE  SECOND  DENTITION 


213 


that  the  general  occlusal  k'\el  of  the  permanent  teeth  is  farther  from 
the  margin  of  the  alveolar  process  than  in  the  case  of  the  temporary 
teeth.  The  length  of  the  permanent  crowns  accounts  for  this.  In 
normal  replacement,  howe\"er,  the  occlusal  le\"el  is  ncarl\  the  same 
for  the  temporary  molars  and  first  permanent  molar,  at  least  until 
the  change  is  made  by  the  eruption  of  the  bicuspid. 

The  correct  placement  of  these  first  permanent  molars  seems  to 
determine  the  correctness  of  molar  occlusion,  at  least  in  the  mesio- 
distal  relation,  though  they  may  not  occupy  their  correct  bucco- 
lingual  positions.  Any  slight  forces  disturbing  the  mesiodistal 
relation  causing  the  upper  first  molar  to  drift  anterior  to  its  correct 
occlusion  with  the  lower  molar  will  result  in  an  abnormal  relation 
of  the  teeth  to  those  anterior  to  them  and  to  their  antagonists;  either 
upper  protrusion  or  upj)er  irregularities  will  occur. 


Fig.  150 


Fig.  IT)! 


Retained  loner  temporary  molars,  bicuspid 
absent.     (Skiagraph  by  E.  Ballard  Lodge.) 


Delayed  cuspid. 


(Skiagraph  by  E.  Hallard 
Lodge.) 


If  the  reverse  occur  and  the  lower  molar  be  placed  anteriorly  and 
the  upper  be  placed  normally  or  posterior  to  its  normal  position, 
prognathism  of  the  lower  teeth  ordinarily  results.  If  placed  too  far 
posteriorly,  retrusion  of  the  lower  teeth  will  occur. 

According  to  Angle,  the  misplacement  of  the  permanent  teeth 
erupting  early  causes  their  inclined  planes  to  direct  other  teeth  from 
normal  occlusion,  or  by  permitting  contraction  of  the  space  normally 
occupied,  particularly  in  the  lower  jaw,  permits  the  other  teeth  to 
assume  a  position  in  a  contracted  arch,  thus  again  causing  their 
inclined  planes  to  cause  contraction  in  the  opposite  arch,  with  a 
consequent  displacement  buccolingually  of  teeth  which  would  other- 
wise normally  align  themselves  in  the  arch.  Once  established,  the 
cheek  and  lip  pressure  maintains  the  inharmony  (Fig.  157). 

Angle  divides  all  irregularities  into  three  classes,  with  divisions 
and  subdivisions: 


214 


DENTITION 

Fig.  152 


Typical  occlusion.     (Cryer.) 
Fig.  153 


Malocclusion.    Class  I.     (Angle.) 


THE  SECOND  DENTITION 


215 


Class  I. — The  first  molars  are  correctly  occluded  mesiodistally, 
the  teeth  anterior  being  in  malocclusion,  though  the  biscuspids  may 
be  in  correct  mesiodistal  relation. 

The  general  characteristic  of  the  class  is  that  shown  in  Fig.  153. 

Class  II.— The  lower  first  molars  occlude  distally  to  the  upper 
first  molars,  causing  retrusion  of  the  lower  jaw.  Division  I  is  char- 
acterized by  distal  occlusion  on  both  sides,  the  upper  arch  is  narrowed, 
the  upper  incisors  lengthened  and  protruded.  The  upper  lip  is  short 
and  functionless,  while  the  lower  lip  is  thickened  and  rests  cushion- 


FiG.   154 


Malocclusion.    Class  II.    (Angle.) 


like  between  the  upper  and  lower  incisors,  increasing  the  protrusion 
of  the  upper  and  the  retrusion  of  the  lower.  There  is  usually  mouth 
breathing,  due  to  some  form  of  nasal  obstruction. 

Division  I. — The  characteristic  exists  on  one  side  only,  the  other 
being  normal.    Mouth  breathing  is  usually  associated  (Fig.  154). 

Division  11.^ — There  is  distal  occlusion  on  both  sides,  but  the 
upper  incisors  are  retruded  instead  of  protruded,  with  crowding  in 
the  cuspid  region.  These  are  associated  with  normal  breathing 
(Fig.  155). 


216 


DENTITION 


Subdivision,   Division   II. — The  characteristic  is  upoti  one  side 
only,  normal  breathers. 


Fig.  155 


Malocclusion.    Class  II.    Division  II.    (Angle.) 

Class  III.  Division  I. — In  this  class  the  lower  first  molars  occlude 
mesially  to  the  upper  first  molars  on  both  sides,  and  the  lower  jaw 
progressively  protrudes  anteriorly  (Fig.  156). 

Subdivision,  Class  III, — The  mesial  occlusion  is  upon  one  side 
only,  the  other  being  normal,  the  arches  crossing  in  the  region  of  the 
incisors. 

Angle  has  formulated  the  law  "that  the  best  balance,  the  best 
harmony,  the  best  proportions  of  the  mouth  in  its  relations  to  the 
other  features  require  that  there  shall  be  the  full  complement  of 
teeth,  and  that  each  tooth  shall  be  made  to  occupy  its  normal 
occlusional  relations.    He  also  states  that  the  best  development  of 


THE  SECOND  DENTITION 


217 


the  bones  of  the  face  and  throat,  the  size  and  function  of  its  ca\  ities 
is  dependent  upon  the  position  of  the  teeth. 

These  specific  causes  inducing  malocckision  of  tiic  teeth  as  classi- 
fied above  are: 

1.  Premature  loss  of  deciduous  teeth  prevents  the  pressure  of  the 
first  molars  upon  the  teeth  anterior  to  them,  which  mechanically  aids 
in  the  de\elopment  of  the  jaws  and  thus  of  the  space  necessary  for 
accommodation  of  the  permanent  teeth.  It  also  allows  the  first 
molar  to  drift  forward  and  come  into  malocclusion,  and  also  to  close 
the  space  occupied  by  the  deciduous  tooth,  thus  lessening  space 
for  its  successor  and  forcing  it  into  buccal  or  lingual  displacement. 
The  same  is  true  of  loss  of  approximal  tooth  contact  as  the  result 
of  caries  (Fig.  157). 

Fig.  156 


Malocclusion.     Class  III.     (.\ngle.) 


2.  Prolonged  retention  of  deciduous  teeth  may  cause  a  deflection 
of  the  temporary  successor  or  prevent  its  eruption. 

3.  Through  loss  of  permanent  teeth  on  that  side  upon  which  the 
tooth  is  extracted,  the  development  of  the  jaw  will  be  prevented  and 
the  tooth  posterior  to  the  space  will  tend  to  tip  or  drift  forward  into 
malocclusion. 

4.  Tardy  eruption  of  permanent  teeth  permits  closure  of  the  space 
altogether  or  in  part,  and  the  resistance  offered  causes  a  deflec- 
tion of  the  tardy  tooth  (Fig.  157).  The  total  absence  of  certain 
permanent  teeth  may  be  placed  under  this  heading. 

5.  Supernumerary  teeth,  by  occupying  space,  also  compel  the 
normal  teeth  to  take  an  abnormal  position,  and,  if  erupting  after 
them,  may  displace  them  by  constant  pressure  (Figs.  207  and  235). 


218 


DENTITION 


Fig.  157 


6.  Habits  such  as  thumb  and  hp  sucking  or  Hp  biting  will  move  the 
upper  anterior  teeth  outward  and  the  lower  anterior  teeth  inward. 
Holding   the   tongue   between   the   anterior   teeth   produces   infra- 
occlusion  of  the  anterior  teeth,  while  the  con- 
stantly open  mouth  permits  supra-ocelusion  of 
the  molars. 

7.  Nasal  obstructions  occurring  in  the  de- 
veloping child  produce  mouth  breathing,  and 
the  opening  of  the  mouth  causes  contraction 
of  the  muscles  upon  the  teeth  and  bones,  pro- 
ducing abnormalities  of  the  bone  of  the  jaw, 
the  irregularity  of  Class  II  (Division  I),  an 
undeveloped  nose  and  adjacent  region  of  the 
face.  Faught  has  ably  illustrated  these  condi- 
tions in  Figs.  158  to  165.^  The  consideration  of 
malocclusion  as  a  general  subject  is  properly 
relegated  to  special  works,  and  the  reader  is  referred  to  Angle's 
Malocclusion  of  the  Teeth  and  other  works  on  the  subject. 


Effects  of  the  premature 
loss  of  a  deciduous  second 
molar. 


Fig.  158 


A  B 

Case  of  adenoids.     A,  before  operation;  B,  after  operation.     (Faught.) 

Disorders  of  the  Second  Dentition. — The  devitalization  of  the 
pulp  of  a  temporary  tooth  and  proper  canal  filling  delays,  but  does  not 
absolutely  prevent,  resorption.  Chronic  abscesses  upon  such  roots 
destroy  the  absorbent  organ,  but  some  pathological  resorption  may 
occur,  as  in  case  of  permanent  roots  (which  see).    Pus  has  an  alkaline 


1  Dental  Cosmos,  1908,  p.  7. 


THE  SECOND  DENTITION 


219 


reaction  which  may  neutralize  the  acid  solvent.    As  a  rule,  such  roots 
are  mechanical  obstructions  to  the  permanent  crowns,  which  are 


Fig.  159 


Fig.  160 


Diagrammatic  sagittal  section,  .showing  relation 
of  anatomical  landmarks.     (Faught.) 


Adenoid  vegetations.     Compare  Fig.  159. 
(Faught.) 


Fig.  161 


Diagrammatic  coronal  section  through  Jiead  in  the  region  of  the  first  molar,  .showing  nasal 
septum,  uncinate  process,  inferior  meatus,  inferior  turbinals,  middle  ethmoidal  cells,  middle 
turbinates,  and  hiatus  semilunaris.     (Faught.) 


deflected  to  one  side  and  caused  to  erupt  irregularly;  again,  the 
temporary  root  may  be  bodily  pushed  aside,  its  apex  pressed  against 
the  alveolar  process  and  gum  tissue,  which  are  resorbed,  and  the 


220 


DENTITION 


necrotic  root  end  is  seen  extruded  through  the  gum.    Extraction  is 
indicated. 

When  temporary  roots  are  not  thus  mechanically  removed  they  are 
gradually  extruded  and  decayed,  or  suppurative  processes  cause  the 
resorption  of  the  alveolar  process  about  them. 


Fig.  162 


Hypertrophy  of  right  inferior  turbinal,  also  deflected  septum  and  spur.     Compare  Fig.  161. 

(Faught.) 


Fig.  163 


Cystic  middle  turbinal,  hypertrophied   inferior  turbinals,  enlarged  middle  ethmoidal  cells, 
and  hypertrophied  middle  turbinal.    Compare  Fig.  161.     (Faught.) 


Injudicious  retention  of  temporary  teeth  may  thus  cause  an  irregu- 
larity. On  the  other  hand,  premature  extraction  by  permitting  the 
approximation  of  the  previously  erupted  permanent  teeth  may  have 
an  equally  bad  effect  upon  an  erupting  tooth  (Fig.  157). 

In  anticipation  of  physiological  resorption  of  temporary  roots,  all 


THE  SECOXD  DENTITION  221 

temporary  teeth  should  be  carefully  watched,  cleansed,  filled,  and,  if 
necessary,  their  roots  treated  so  that  a  normal  replacement  by  the 

Fig.  164  Fig.  165 


Hypertrophied  posterior  end  of  inferior  turbinal.  Nasal  polypi.     Compare  Fig.  159. 

Compare  Fig.  159.     (Faught.)  (Faught.) 

Fig.   166 


Right.  Left. 

Labial  aspect  of  bilateral  sequestra  apparently  due  to  typhoid  fever  alone.     (Cowper.) 

permanent  teeth  may  occur.  If  pronounced  di.seasej[occur  just 
previous  to  the  time  for  normal  replacement,  extraction  is  indicated. 
It  will  be  recalled  that  the  teeth  are  an  evolution  of  the  dermoid 
system,  which  fact  possesses  pathological  significance  in  certain  acute 
specific  skin  diseases.     It  is  noted  in  some  cases  of  the  eruptive 


222  DENTITION 

fevers  of  children,  particularly  when  the  child  is  much  debilitated, 
that  after  the  cessation  of  the  acute  disease  a  necrotic  affection  of 
the  jaw  occurs,  involving  the  alveolar  bone  and  its  contents.  As 
many  of  these  cases  occur  between  the  ages  of  three  and  seven  years, 
the  temporary  teeth  are  still  in  situ;  these,  with  the  partially  devel- 
oped permanent  teeth  and  the  enclosing  bone,  may  be  exfoliated. 
The  necrotic  process  may  involve  but  one  tooth,  or  may  include 
all  of  the  temporary  teeth,  their  successors,  and  a  large  mass  of 
bone.^  The  disease  with  which  this  necrosis  is  most  frequently 
associated  is  scarlet  fever  ;2  it  is  also  found  as  a  sequel  of  measles 
and  smallpox.  "The  cases  prior  to  exfoliation  of  the  bone 
exhibit  a  stripping  of  the  periosteum,  apparently  beginning  about 
the  necks  of  the  teeth.  A  discharge  of  pus  having  a  fetid  odor  is 
present,  and  the  soft  tissues  may  be  raised  from  the  bone  for  a 
variable  extent;"  that  is,  there  is  evidence  of  purulent  periostitis. 
In  the  course  of  some  weeks,  six  or  eight,  the  necrotic  bone  and  its 
contents  exfoliate.  Salter  observes  that  the  sequestra  forming  after 
severe  scarlet  fever  are  much  more  extensive  than  those  which  form 
as  a  sequel  of  measles. 

An  interesting  case  of  bilateral  sequestra  of  the  aveolar  process 
due  to  typhoid  fever  alone  is  reported  by  Cowper.^  Two  sound 
teeth  were  involved  in  each  sequestrum. 

The  administration  to  children  of  mercurials  has  caused  such  a 
loss  of  teeth  and  process.  I  have  seen  a  sequestrum  containing  three 
undecayed  teeth  attributed  to  this  cause,  and  others  have  been 
reported.  In  these  cases  the  parts  should  be  kept  as  aseptic  as 
possible  by  means  of  hydrogen  dioxid  and  the  compound  tincture 
of  capsicum  and  myrrh  (enough  to  cloud  a  glass  of  water)  used  as  a 
stimulant  mouth  wash.^  When  loose,  the  sequestrum  should  be 
removed.  The  parts  heal  by  granulation  if  due  attention  be  paid 
to  the  general  physical  welfare  of  the  child. 

Eruption  of  the  Molars. — The  first  permanent  molars  rarely 
produce  more  than  slight  rheumatic  pains.  The  gum  irritation  may 
be  relieved  by  an  X-incision,  or  at  times  by  the  application  of 
phenol-sodique  and  laudanum,  equal  parts,  or  phenol  camphor, 
with  the  finger  tip.  A  little  alcohol  or  dilute  tincture  of  iodin 
serves  almost  equally  well. 

As  some  time  may  elapse  between  eruption  and  occlusion,  the  first 
molars  do  not  receive  a  proper  friction.  Associated  frequently  with 
carious  temporary  teeth,  they  are  frequently  decayed  in  their  sulci 
and  fissures;  to  prevent  this  it  has  been  recommended  that  oxy- 

1  Salter:  Dental  Pathology.  =  Ibid. 

'  Dental  Cosmos,  1909,  p.  765.  *  Garretson:   A  System  of  Oral  Surgery. 


THE  SECOND  DENTITION  223 

phosphate  of  zinc  be  placed  over  these  fissures  without  previous 
excavation.^ 

The  lower  second  molars  may  cause  some  irritation  owing  to  an 
insufficient  development  of  the  jaw  at  the  angle,  leaving  an  inade- 
quate accommodation  for  the  crown.  At  about  nine  years  of  age 
the  second  molar  occupies  the  angle  of  the  jaw  in  much  the  same 
position  as  shown  in  Fig.  106  for  the  third  molar.  If  held  back  a 
pathological  condition  equivalent  to  that  occurring  in  the  temporary 
teeth  may  result;  reflexes  producing  heavy  pains  about  the  jaw  or 
reflex  effects,  such  as  chorea,  may  be  produced. 

Truman^  has  prevented  a  threatened  second  attack  of  this  sort  by 
deep  incisions  in  the  gum  over  the  site  of  the  crown.  The  presump- 
tion is  that  such  treatment  relieves  the  tension  upon  the  pulp  under- 
lying the  developing  root. 

Kirk^  calls  attention  to  the  liability  of  chorea  to  be  associated  with 
reflexes  from  the  dental  region  at  from  four  to  nine  years  of  age,  and 
cites  a  case  from  the  practice  of  C.  N.  Peirce  in  which  choreic  mani- 
festations were  permanently  relieved  by  the  removal  of  a  deciduous 
molar  interfering  with  the  eruption  of  its  permanent  successor,  the 
bicuspid.  He  also  cites  a  case  of  repeated  hysterical  manifestations 
following  nervous  irritability  due  to  each  replacement  of  a  deciduous 
tooth  by  its  successor.  Flagg  cured  a  case  of  chorea  in  a  boy,  by 
the  extraction  of  four  teeth  from  a  very  crowded  arch.^ 

The  third  molars  frequently  induce  pathological  conditions. 

The  upper  third  molar,  meeting  in  its  descent  the  roots  of  the 
second  molar,  may  be  united  to  it  by  hypercementosis — the  condition 
of  concrescence  (which  see) ;  escaping  this,  it  may  meet  a  dense  palato- 
alveolar  plate  of  bone  at  the  tuberosity  and  be  deflected  buccally 
through  the  thinner  buccal  plate  of  bone,  so  that  its  occlusal  face 
presents  cheekward  (Fig.  167).  Its  occlusal  face  may  present  more 
posteriorly  or  more  anteriorly.  Here  retained  food  collects  about 
it  and  caries  occurs,  or  a  suppurative  inflammation  of  the  cheek 
or  free  gum  margin  may  occur.  For  this  condition  sterilization,  free 
incision  of  the  gum  margin,  and  subsequent  asepsis  maintained  by 
antiseptic  sprays  will  reduce  the  inflammation,  which,  however,  is 
apt  to  recur  at  intervals.  If  the  cheek  be  irritated  or  the  position  of 
the  tooth  permanently  fixed,  only  traction  of  the  tooth  into  a  correct 
position,  grinding  away  of  the  sharp  cusps,  or  extraction  will  alle- 
viate the  condition.  The  extraction  of  such  a  tooth  is  little  loss  to  the 
individual.  A  bit  of  cotton  saturated  with  a  mild  antiseptic  may 
be  placed  between  the  tooth  and  cheek  for  a  time  after  grinding. 

'  L.  Ashley  Faught.  ^  International  Dental  Journal,  1899. 

'  Dental  Cosmos,  1905.  *  Private  communication. 


224  DENTITION 

The  possibility  of  concrescence  in  such  a  case,  as  shown  in  Fig.  167, 
must  be  considered  when  extraction  is  intended.  Individual  motion 
is  diagnostic  of  separate  teeth,  and  is  readily  induced,  when  the 
crowns  are  together,  by  pressing  a  strong,  thin,  flat-bladed  instru- 
ment between  the  teeth  and  turning  it.  • 

Fig.  167  Fig.  168 


Abnormal  eruption  of  the  upper  third  Partial  eruption  and  impaction  of  third 

molar.  molar.     (Skiagraph  by  Custer.) 

The  pressure  of  an  erupting  third  molar  upon  the  second  molar 
may  cause  neuralgic  pains,  and  at  times  the  teeth  in  general,  as  far 
forward  as  the  central  incisor,  may  seem  to  loosen  up  and  become 
tender  to  touch  and  again  become  comfortable  and  tight.  These 
symptoms  may  be  repeated  apparently  in  consonance  with  the  efforts 
at  eruption.  This  pressure  also  causes  irregularities  of  alignment 
or  breaks  up  an  orthodontia.  Their  extraction  for  this  reason  is 
sometimes  indicated. 

Owing  to  insufficient  development  at  the  angle  of  the  jaw,  it  is 
almost  the  rule  that  the  eruption  of  the  lower  third  molar  is  attended 
with  some  degree  of  discomfort  due  to  gum  and  bone  irritation,  and, 
possibly,  to  pressure  on  the  formative  pulp  (Fig.  106). 

For  some  months  prior  to  eruption,  heavy,  gnawing,  rheumatic 
pains  may  be  indefinitely  located  about  the  jaw  and  ear  of  the 
affected  side.  The  muscles  of  mastication  become  stiff  and  may 
contract  spasmodically,  simulating  trismus.  These  symptoms,  if 
severe,  may  be  relieved  by  deep  X-incisions  in  the  gum;  or,  if  mild,  by 
the  application  of  non-discoloring  rubefacients  or  sedatives  to  the 
outside  of  the  face,  over  the  affected  parts.  The  massage  of  the 
parts  affords  some  relief.     Flagg  recommended  the  following: 

I^ — Tinot.  opii, 

Tinct.  aconiti, 

Chloroformi p.  seq. — M. 

Sig. — To  be  rubbed  on  the  outside  of  the  face. 

Or, 

^. — Aconitinse gr.  j 

Cerati  simplicis 5j — M. 

Sig. — To  be  well  spatulated.  To  be  distended  with  oil  of  cloves  or  camphophenique  and 
gently  rubbed  on  the  outside  of  the  face,  the  mouth  and  eyes  to  be  particularly  avoided. 


THE  SECOND  DENTITION  225 

Or,  when  the  aconitine  fails  to  produce  reHef : 

I^ — Veratrinse gr,  xx 

Cerati  simplicis gj — M. 

Sig. — To  be  used  in  the  same  manner  as  the  aconitine. 

As  the  tooth  advances  the  symptoms  may  become  progressively 
severe.  The  gum  may  become  inflamed,  swollen,  and  be  masticated 
upon,  the  oral  pyogenic  organisms  produce  infection,  presumably 
finding  an  entrance  at  the  point  proximating  the  second  molar.  The 
patient  suffers  from  the  pain  and  inability  to  masticate  and  swallow, 
and  becomes  nervous,  irritable,  and  debilitated;  the  breath  becomes 
fetid  and  the  salivation  excessive.  The  inflammation  extends  into 
the  contiguous  tissues,  and  pus  may  form,  extending  into  them; 
swelling  may  occur  in  the  adjacent  gland,  parotid,  submaxillary,  etc. 
It  may  also  extend  to  the  tonsil  or  pharynx.  All  mastication  is  pre- 
vented, fever  is  present,  and  the  patient  prostrated;  septicemia  and 
death  may  follow.^  Reflex  pains  may  occur.  Brown^  relates  a  case 
of  noma  which  developed  from  an  infection  in  this  location.  The 
gangrenous  condition  extended  to  the  lungs.    Death  ensued. 

Results  similar  to  these  may  occur  when  the  crown  is  partly 
erupted,  being  covered  at  its  distal  portion  by  a  curtain  of  gum 
which  may  be  ulcerated  upon  its  under  surface.  This  curtain  of 
gum  may  be  thin  and  stretched  or  project  rather  rigidly  over  the 
tooth  without  stretching,  as  though  attached  to  it. 

In  these  latter  cases  the  pus,  as  a  rule,  finds  egress,  but  occasionally 
it  burrows  into  the  pocket  betw^een  the  tooth  and  contiguous  tissue, 
causing  much  inflammation  or  pus  formation.  When  gum  pockets 
remain  about  teeth,  food  may  ferment  in  them  and  cause  deep  pus 
formations  which  may  result  in  Ludwig's  angina,  a  frequently  fatal 
disease.     (See  Ludwig's  Angina.) 

Treatment. — The  treatment  depends  upon  the  stage  to  which  the 
inflammation  has  advanced. 

If  the  patient  be  able  to  partly  open  the  mouth,  the  part  may  be 
sterilized  by  spraying  it  with  a  germicide  such  as  a  1  to  2000  solution 
of  mercuric  chloride  in  hydrogen  dioxid,  or  hot  carbolized  water, 
followed  by  application  of  tincture  of  iodin.  (Brown.)  Following 
this  an  injection  of  cocain  solution  is  made  into  the  flap  of  tissue, 
and  the  gum  completely  removed  from  over  the  face  of  the  crown, 
or,  if  feasible,  any  pocket  wall  cut  away. 

To  accomplish  this  a  deep  linear  cut  is  made  with  a  sharp  bistoury 
extending  from  the  distolingual  to  the  mesolingual  angle  of  the 
crown.     A  similar  cut  is  made  from  the  distobuccal  to  the  meso- 

1  Flagg.  and  occasional  reports.  •  2  Dental  Cosmos,  1908,  p.  5. 

15 


226 


DENTITION 


buccal  angle.  If  not  already  free,  the  gum  is  divided  at  its  mesial 
contact  with  the  distal  surface  of  the  second  molar.  The  block  is 
now  penetrated  by  a  tenaculum,  drawn  tense,  and  the  final  cut  made 
at  the  distal  border  with  decidedly  curved  gum  scissors.  Less 
cutting  is  required  in  some  cases.  A  special  gum-cutting  apparatus 
is  obtainable  which  practically  bites  out  a  piece  of  the  gum  flap. 


Gum  scissors. 


The  hydrogen  dioxid  spray  should  be  again  applied  to  remove  any 
possible  pus  germs  present,  and  should  be  repeated  at  intervals  of 
about  two  hours.  A  neglect  of  this  simple  precaution  gave  the 
editor  a  week  of  personal  discomfort  and  inability  to  masticate  after 
the  removal  of  a  trifling  and  apparently  non-inflamed  flap  of  gum. 
A  cold  compress  should  be  recommended  for  the  angle  of  the  jaw 
if  deemed  advisable.  Magnesium  sulphate  as  a  derivative  may  be 
used  with  advantage. 

If  the  patient  be  confined  to  his  bed  and  unable  to  open  the  jaws, 
a  more  diflicult  operation  presents.  The  first  object  should  be  to 
reduce  the  intensity  of  the  inflammatory  symptoms.  This  is  accom- 
plished by  the  removal  of  the  gum  block  as  above,  if  the  mouth  can 
be  opened  sufficiently.  Etherization  may  be  resorted  to,  after  oral 
sterilization,  for  the  purpose.  A  jaw  separator  is  introduced,  and 
operated  until  sufficient  space  is  gained  and  the  cuts- made.  If  no 
more  be  possible  at  the  first  visit,  the  lingual  and  buccal  linear  cuts 
should  be  made  to  insure  free  bloodletting,  which  may  be  increased 
by  syringing  forcibly  with  lukewarm  water,  the  position  of  the 
patient  being  such  that  gravity  favors  its  flowing  out  of  the  mouth.. 

Cold  compresses  are  to  be  placed  over  the  angle  of  the  jaw  and 
magnesium  sulphate  and  the  hot  pediluvium  administered  as  deriva- 
tives. Cataplasma  kaolini,  a  compound  of  kaolin  (Chinese  clay), 
boric  acid,  methyl  salicylate,  glycerin,  and  small  quantities  of  thymol 


THE  SECOND  DENTITION  227 

and  oil  of  peppermint/  are  useful  applied  in  quantity  to  the  face 
externally.    The  antiseptic  sprays  are  to  be  used  as  before  directed. 

If,  in  addition,  local  massage  over  the  angle  of  the  jaw  be  practised, 
the  swelling  and  muscular  hardness  usually  disappear  in  a  few  days. 
It  is  well  to  then  remove  the  entire  block  of  gum  to  prevent  re- 
infection. 

If  the  third  molar  be  correctly  placed,  its  eruption,  as  a  rule, 
proceeds  uninterruptedly  from  this  point,  though  it  may  never  be 
entirely  free  from  some  degree  of  overlapping  by  the  gum  tissue, 
owing  to  arrest  of  eruption  by  the  occlusion  of  the  more  advanced 
upper  third  molar.  Pockets  are  thus  formed  which  favor  food 
retention,  which,  undergoing  fermentation,  may  either  cause  ulcera- 
tion of  the  soft  parts  or  caries  of  the  distal  and  distobuccal  surfaces 
of  the  tooth. 

Grinding  the  occlusal  face  of  the  upper  molar  may  assist  eruption 
of  the  lower.  The  gum  flap  should  be  cocainized  and  removed  by 
the  thermocautery,  or  if  inflamed,  be  sprayed  with  hydrogen  dioxid 
and  a  pellet  of  cotton  saturated  with  eugenol  introduced  for  a  short 
time. 

More  marked  malposition  may  cause  difficulty  of  eruption, 
necessitating  the  extraction  of  the  third  molar  or  even  of  the  second 
molar.  In  some  cases  it  may  be  better  to  also  extract  the  upper 
third  molar,  as  it  will  probably  elongate  in  time  and  allow  food  to 
pack  into  the  interspace  mesial  to  it.  A  presentation  of  the  occlusal 
face  of  the  third  molar  to  the  distal  surface  of  the  second  molar  is  a 
common  form  of  malposition. 

If  very  deep  seated  the  third  molar  may  at  times  be  diagnosticated 
in  this  position  by  passing  an  explorer  or  thin  right-angled  blade 
down  the  distal  surface  of  the  second  molar,  or  by  means  of  a  deep 
incision  with  a  bistoury  or  exploring  needle.  Failing  this,  or  prefer- 
ably, replacing  it,  the  .r-rays  are  a  Aery  valuable  means  of  diagnosis. 

In  this  situation  pathological  resorption  of  the  root  of  the  second 
molar  may  result,  and  irritation  of  its  pulp  be  added  as  a  compli- 
cation. In  this  case  the  second  molar  must  he  extracted.  (See 
Malposition.) 

A  more  common  form  of  presentation  exhibits  the  distal  surface 
of  the  crown  above  the  gum  and  the  meso-occlusal  angle  locked 
beneath  the  cervix  of  the  second  molar  (Fig.  ]()S).  Caries  is  not  in- 
frequently induced  by  this  retention  of  food.  The  third  molar  may  be 
removed  by  an  operation  involving  the  surgical  removal  of  a  portion 
of  the  base  of  the  coronoid  process  followed  by  extraction.    The  pulp 

'  Antiphlogistin  is  the  proprietary  equivalent. 


228  DENTITION 

of  the  third  molar  may  be  devitalized  by  arsenic  applied  and  sealed 
in  a  pit  drilled  in  its  distal  surface.  After  death  of  a  portion  of  the 
pulp  the  pit  may  be  made  to  perforate  the  crown  from  side  to  side, 
and  then  a  dentate  fissure  bur  mounted  in  the  right-angle  handpiece 
or  a  disk  may  be  used  to  saw  off  the  occlusal  half  of  the  crown.  In 
the  space  thus  gained,  and  between  the  second  and  third  molars,  a 
wedge  of  sea-tangle  may  be  neatly  fitted;  its  swelling  causes  mutual 
separation,  which  loosens  the  third  molar  somewhat  by  the  process 
of  resorption.  It  should  now  be  quite  readily  extracted  by  appro- 
priate movements. 

Cryer  recommends  the  removal  of  the  occlusal  section  of  the 
crown  of  the  third  molar  by  means  of  a  carborundum  disk,  and  the 
removal  of  the  tooth  by  means  of  forceps  or  elevators.  Extraction 
in  such  a  case  must  be  carefully  done.  The  use  of  the  elevator  is 
dangerous  unless  laterally  applied  as  there  is  danger  of  fracture  of 
the  ramus,  which  has  occurred.     (Schamberg.) 

The  loss  of  a  second  molar  may  be  for  other  reasons  necessary, 
but  such  a  loss  in  the  last  case  described  is  equivalent  to  a  loss  of 
two  teeth,  as  the  third  molar  will  be  of  little  value. 


CHAPTER   VIII 

MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE  TEETH 

Abnormalities  of  the  teeth  are  found  associated  with  position, 
size,  form,  and  structure.  Aberrations  in  form,  structure,  and  size 
are  inchided  under  the  head  of  malformations  of  the  teeth;  aberra- 
tions of  position  are  discussed  under  the  head  of  malpositions  of  the 
teeth.  The  particular  section  of  dentistry  relating  to  malpositions 
of  the  teeth  is  by  general  consent  made  a  special  department  of 
operative  dentistry,  that  of  orthodontia;  but  many  of  the  phases 
of  the  subject  are  of  great  pathological  interest,  although  the  thera- 
peutic measures  usually  demanded  are  mechanical  in  character  and 
clearly  belong  to  the  fields  of  operative  and  prosthetic  dentistry. 

Malformations  of  the  teeth  may  be  macroscopic  or  visible  to  the 
naked  eye,  or  microscopic,  requiring  special  preparation  for  obser- 
vation under  the  microscope. 

The  causes  of  imperfectly  formed  enamel  or  teeth  must  be  sought 
by  study  of  the  conditions  preceding  their  development.  That  modi- 
fications of  general  nutrition  must  modify  tooth  development  seems 
to  be  a  safe  proposition. 

An  ill-nourished  child  is  apt  to  have  at  least  poorly  organized  tooth 
material,  while  in  one  that  has  actually  undergone  an  exanthematous 
disease  the  tooth  form  subsequently  seen  seems  frequently  to  have 
been  profoundly  modified  by  the  disease. 


MICROSCOPIC  MALFORMATIONS 

Microscopic  or  histological  defects  of  the  teeth  may  affect  any  of 
the  dental  tissues,  enamel,  dentin,  cementum,  pulp,  or  pericementum. 

Enamel. — Defects  in  enamel  structure  range  from  any  degree  of 
orderliness  in  the  even  distribution  of  globular  bodies  and  cementing 
substance  in  the  tissue  to  gross  aberrations  in  formation.  The  finer 
variations  of  structure  are  not  easily  recognizable. 

Theoretically  perfect  enamel  should  show  in  longitudinal  section  a 
series  of  squares  of  uniform  size  built  into  rods,  the  spaces  between 
the  squares  and  rods  being  marked  by  lines  of  cementing  substance 
having  a  refractive  index  slightly  different  from  that  of  the  squares 


230     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE  TEETH 

(Fig.  113).  While  such  a  structure  is  perhaps  never  found,  it  is 
difficult  to  draw  a  line  v/here  aberrations  from  such  a  standard  become 
pathological.  An  arbitrary  standard  might  be  assumed  as  follows: 
Regard  any  enamel  as  pathological  where  areas  of  it  differ  from  its 
general  substance  to  such  an  extent  as  to  have  a  decidedly  different 
refractive  index.  A  typical  form  of  abnormality  is  noted  in  what 
are  known  as  opaque  spots  in  the  enamel,  areas  in  which  an  opaque 
surface  exists  instead  of  the  normally  translucent  enamel. 

Fig.  170 


Portion  of  a  white  spot  in  enamel,  showing  lack  of  interprismatic  cement  substance. 

(Williams.) 


X  2000. 


Opaque  Spots  in  Enamel. — White,  brown,  and  corn-colored  opaque 
areas  of  enamel  are  frequently  seen  surrounded  by  apparently  normal 
enamel. 

Examined  without  the  aid  of  the  microscope  they  are  seen  to 
present  a  surface  as  smooth  as  any  enamel,  but  upon  this  surface 
being  broken  up  with  a  bur  a  chalky,  granular,  whitish  material  con- 
taining at  times  the  yellowish  pigment  is  seen  sometimes  occupying 


MICROSCOPIC  MALFORMATIONS 


231 


the  entire  thickness  of  the  enamel.  These  spots,  if  sHji;ht,  are  some- 
times without  this  granular  character,  while  the  pigment  affects  the 
entire  thickness  of  the  enamel. 

Williams  submitted  the  enamel  at  the  borders  of  such  spots  to 
microscopic  examination,  and  compared  it  with  enamel  in  the  first 
stages  of  decay,  finding  in  both  a  similar  appearance  characteristic 
of  a  lack  of  or  a  loss  of  interprismatic  cement  substance  (Fig.  170). 


Section  through  human  cuspid,  showing  sulcus  and  appearance  of  tissue  in  its  vicinity. 
(Specimen  by  Choquet,  photograph  by  Wilhanis.) 


X  75. 


Upon  the  data  derived  from  his  investigations  with  the  develop- 
ment of  the  enamel,  he  concluded  that  these  spots  are  due  to  a  lack 
of  such  cement  substance.  This  leaves,  as  the  probable  substance  in 
the  spot,  unfused  globules  mingled  with  some  pigment.  H.  A.  Fynn 
concludes  that  as  about  87  per  cent,  of  children  born  and  raised  in 
Colorado  Springs  have  defects  in  enamel,  while  in  other  close  by 
localities  these  are  moderately  found,  the  cause  must  lie  in  the  lack 
of  lime  in  vegetable  matters  in  that  locality  and  hence  in  the  milk 
of  cows  fed  upon  them.  This  lack  together  with  the  great  demand 
of  the  developing  osseous  system  for  lime  causes  a  deficiency  for 
the  relatively  non-important  teeth. ^    In  one  case  of  an  adult  lady  a 


'  Items  of  Interest,  January,  1910. 


232      MALFORMATIONS  AND   MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE   TEETH 

broad,  brown  spot  was  seen  on  a  lower  left  lateral.     There  was  a 
history  of  the  temporary  lateral  having  been  knocked  out. 

Enamel  formation  about  the  sulci  of  teeth  is  frequently  faulty; 
owing  to  an  imperfect  union  of  the  enamel  segments  forming  the 

Fig.  172 


0    *l*^»  »;?  f 


■^M:M 


%.hk\h\i^ 


Section  of  human  molar,  showing  dentinal  fibrillse  penetrating  enamel.     X  600.     (Williams. i) 

cusps  of  the  teeth,  minute  fissures  exist  in  the  enamel;  these  are 
most  marked  in  the  fissures  of  molars,  as  shown  in  Fig.  171.  The 
enamel  bounding  these  fissures  has  an  irregular  structure. 

The  dentinal  fibrillse  may  penetrate  the  substance  of  the  enamel 
(Figs.  172  and  176),  occupying  defined  channels  in  its  substance; 
this  is  regarded  by  Williams  as  a  developmental  accident.    He  pointed 


'  For  an  interesting  article  illustrating  this  point  see  Boedecl<er,  Dental  Cosmos,  1911,  p.  1000. 


MICROSCOPIC  MALFORMATIONS 


233 


out  that  the  organic  filaments  from  the  dentin  become  atrophied 
with  the  progress  of  enamel  formation  and  canals  remain.  Caush^ 
claims  to  have  found  this  to  be  a  normal  condition  of  human  enamel, 
and  regards  these  as  nutrient  spaces.  They  may  form  cloud-like 
markings  (stripes  of  Schreger  in  enamel,  Fig.  175).  Still  later 
Boedecker  has  found  them  to  frequently  occur  in  enamel  (Fig.  176). 
This  condition,  as  also  many  other  variations  of  structure  found  in 
the  dental  tissues  of  man,  are  shown  by  Williams  to  have  their 
normal  prototypes  in  the  dental  tissues  of  lower  animals;  for  example. 

Fig.  173 


Section  of  human  incisor,  showing  "bands  of  Retzius"  and  marked  stratification  of  enamel. 

X  125.     (Williams.) 

the  penetration  of  dentinal  fibrillse  into  enamel  is  a  normal  condi- 
tion in  the  teeth  of  the  kangaroo.  Such  conditions  are  not  to  be 
confounded  with  fissures  of  enamel  where  large  lines  of  faulty  calci- 
fication or  non-calcification  extend  through  the  thickness  of  enamel. 
A  portion  of  the  enamel  may  occupy  an  area  within  the  dentin. 

Enamel,  even  normal  enamel,  is  not  of  uniform  composition;  were 
it  so,  it  would  exhibit,  in  addition  to  an  orderly  arrangement  of  its 


1  International  Dental  Journal,  June,  1904 


234     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE   TEETH 

histological  elements,  a  uniformity  in  color.  So  common  are  differ- 
ences in  this  direction  that  the  presence  of  pigment  bands  must  be 
regarded  as  normal.  It  is  the  rule  to  find  enamel  traversed  by  deeply 
pigmented  parallel  bands,  which  pass  obliquely  upward  from  the 
surface  of  the  dentin  to  the  surface  of  the  enamel.  These  are  termed 
the  bands  of  Retzius;  they  appear  to  mark  the  size  of  the  enamel 
cap  at  successive  periods  of  its  growth  (Fig.  173). 

Stratification  arid  striation  of  the  enamel,  as  shown  by  Williams, 
must  be  regarded  as  normal  physiological  records  of  the  mode  of 
enamel  formation.  Kirk  has  shown  that  normal  enamel  shows  vari- 
ations in  density  in  the  same  teeth. 


Fig.  174 


Section  of  enamel  from  syphilitic  tooth,  with  appearances  resembling  the  lacunse  of  cementum. 

X  600.     (Williams.) 


All  of  these  histological  defects  represent  variations  of  deposition, 
no  doubt  due  to  fluctuation  of  the  nutritive  processes  of  the  child  at 
the  time  of  tooth  formation.  Histological  records  made  in  the  enamel 
are  not  like  those  made  in  other  tissues,  for  there  is  no  certain  pro- 
vision through  which  such  defects  can  be  remedied  at  subsequent 
periods. 

Profound  nutritive  disturbances,  such  as  those  attending  hereditary 
syphilis  in  children,  affect  the  structures  of  the  teeth.  One  of  the 
gross  results  of  this  disease  is  a  common  malformation  of  the  general 
form  of  the  incisors.  The  hard  tissues  of  such  teeth  exhibit  micro- 
scopic evidences  of  faulty  histology;  they  are  dull  and  opaque,  and 


MICROSCOPIC  MALFORMATIONS 


235 


traversed  by  irregular  bands.  Mewed  in  section,  the  enamel  of  such 
teeth  is  seen  to  be  almost  structureless  (Fig.  174).  Williams  found 
that  the  contents  of  the  large,  irregular  spaces  in  this  enamel  did  not 
respond  to  stains— i.  e.,  did  not  contain  organic  matter. 

There  is  evidence  that  other  forms  of  specific  dermatitis— scarlet 
fever  and  measles— which  occur  at  an  early  age  may  affect  the  for- 
mation of  enamel.  The  defects  attributed  to  the  exanthemata  are 
irregular  pits  upon  the  crowns  of,  particularly,  the  incisors  (Figs. 
ISO,  etc.),  though  the  cuspids  and  first  molars  also  suffer.  In  some 
cases  the  crowns  appear  honeycombed.    The  condition  is  known  as 


Fig.  175 


/^ 

Q 

V 

7~^^  1 

i  "■  -^A 

^ 

1 

p 

Enamel  and  dentin,  human  tooth:  1,  enamel;  2,  dentin;  3,  lines  of  Schreger  in  enamel;  4,  brown 
strise  of  Retzius.     (Probably  aggregation  of  tubes,  editor.)     (Broomell,  after  Geise.) 


hypoplasia  of  the  enamel,  and  is  evidently  due  to  an  effect  upon  the 
enamel  organs.  There  is  evidence  in  some  specimens  (Fig.  183) 
that  the  dentin  may  be  hypoplastic,  the  papilla  being  doubtless 
affected  by  the  prevailing  systemic  malnutrition.  The  dentin 
should  be  first  developed,  and  without  doubt  is  so  developed  in 
simple  cases  of  hypoplasia;  therefore  the  dentin  may  be  normal 
in  form,  except  for  microscopically  evident  disturbance,  as  in  the 
formation  of  interglobular  spaces,  while  the  enamel  is  hypoplastic 
(Fig.  186). 

As  cases  occur  in  w^hich  distinct  columns  of  enamel  may  be  formed 
in  dentin,  the  record  is  one  of  a  heterogeneous  mixture  of  the  two 


236     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE  TEETH 

formative  tissues  (enamel  organ  and  papilla)  while  in  the  plastic 
state.  The  condition  is  evidenced  by  such  an  abnormality  as  an 
odontoma. 

Black  regards  the  formation  of  pits,  the  simultaneously  developed 
zone  of  enamel  being  perfect,  as  due  to  aberration  in  development  of 
enamel  rods,  leaving  a  hole  (doubtless  a  localized  effect  upon  the 
ameloblasts).  Histologically  the  strata  of  the  enamel  partly  fail  of 
deposition  at  these  points  (Fig.  186). 

Fig.  176 


Specimen  of  decalcified  adult  enamel,  sho\\dng  enamel  prism  sheaths  and  lamella  {L),  cut 
longitudinally.     X  500.    (Boedecker.) 

With  a  history  of  a  case,  including  the  age  of  the  child  at  the  period 
of  the  disease,  if  examination  be  made  of  the  positions  of  the  defects, 
the  age  will  serve  as  an  indication  as  to  whether  there  has  been  any 
connection  between  the  eruptive  fever  and  the  dental  malformation. 
For  example,  if  enamel  pits  upon  incisors  have  been  caused  by  an 
eruptive  fever  between  the  ages  of  four  or  five,  they  should  occupy 
a  part  a  little  above  the  half-way  area  of  the  crown  face  of  a  central 
incisor;  it  is  evident  that  the  enamel  being  already  formed  about  the 
cutting  edge  of  the  tooth,  alterations  of  nutrition  could  not  affect 
the  already  formed  tissue.     The  enamel  formed  after  a  period  of 


MICROSCOPIC  MALFORMATIONS 


237 


attack  may  be  perfect  (Figs.  188  and  190).  In  cases  where  a  causal 
association  of  enamel  defects  with  the  eruptive  fever  is  made  out 
with  reasonal)le  clearness,  it  is  usual  to  find  all  of  the  crowns  of  the 
teeth,  which  are  in  process  of  formation,  aft'ected  in  a  similar  manner, 
but  at  different  levels,  according  to  progress  of  enamel  development. 


Fig.  177 


-'HSs 


i^ 


Section  of  a  bicuspid  with  its  alveolus,  showing  a  pit-like  absorption  upon  the  side  of  the  root 
in  which  the  redeposit  of  the  cementum  has  begun:  o,  dentin;  6,  cementum;  c,  peridental  mem- 
brane; d,  bone  forming  the  wall  of  the  alveolus;  e,  absorbed  area  of  cementum.  It  will  be  noticed 
that  a  new  deposit  of  cementum  has  begun  the  filling  of  the  area,  and  that  the  soft  tissue  in  the 
area  of  absorption  is  of  a  cellular  type.  The  bone  also  shows  the  effects  of  absorption  in  the  cutting 
away  of  portions  of  the  rings  of  the  Haversian  sj'stems  at  /,  while  at  g  the  presence  of  osteoclasts 
shows  that  absorption  is  in  progress  at  that  point.     (Black.) 


Fig.  178 


Cases  are  observed  where  there  has  been  a  formative  crisis  to  the 
extent  of  having  apparent!}^  no  enamel  whatever  formed  over  the 
occlusal  section  of  the  crown,  its  de- 
posit on  the  remainder  of  the  crown 
being  quite  normal  (Fig.  188). 

D.  B.  Freeman^  records  the  case 
of  an  individual,  aged  twenty-six 
years,  whose  teeth  anterior  to  the 
second  molar  were  entirely  devoid 
of  enamel.  The  condition  was 
hereditary;  it  appeared  in  both 
brothers  and  sisters,  and  could  be 
traced  back  for  three  generations. 

Hopewell-Smith^  claims  that  teeth  apparently  devoid  of  enamel 
have,  in  all  cases  examined  by  him,  had  attenuated  enamel  upon 
them.    This  would  also  be  classified  as  hypoplasia. 


Dentinal  tubuli   terminating  in   the   spaces  of 
the  granular  layer.     (Tomes.) 


1  Guilford:   American  System  of^Dentistry,  vol.  iii. 
■  Histology  and  Pathological  Histology  of  the  Teeth. 


238      MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF    THE  TEETH 

Black^  has  described  the  teeth  of  a  man,  aged  twenty-seven  years, 
as  having  enamel  of  an  opaque,  paper- white  appearance,  as  readily 
cut  as  a  slate  pencil,  and  with  dentin  of  ordinary  consistence.  The 
teeth  presented  little  caries.  He  also  described  the  temporary  teeth 
of  a  child  as  all  without  trace  of  enamel,  the  dentin  soft,  bendable 
in  any  direction,  with  production  of  pain,  and  penetrable  with  a 
sharp  explorer  (agenesia  of  enamel). 

Fig.  179 


Section  showing  interglobular  spaces  in  dentin  of  a  syphilitic  human  tooth.     (Williams.) 


Hopewell-Smith^  describes  the  enamel  developed  during  rickets  as 
faulty,  and,  in  so  far  as  limited  observation  could  determine,  con- 
tained numerous  spaces  probably  filled  with  soft  tissue.  These 
spaces  were  in  the  first-formed  portions  of  the  specimens  observed. 

Dentin. — Data  regarding  the  finer  phases  of  defective  histological 
structure  of  the  dentin  are  meager.  It  has  been  observed  that  the 
dentinal  tubuli  of  some  teeth  are  much  larger  than  in  others  of  the 
same  age,  and,  no  doubt,  future  investigations  with  an  improved 
technique  directed  toward  a  study  of  the  exact  mode  of  dentin 
formation  will  exhibit  defects  more  certainly. 

The  chief  histological  defects  noted  in  dentin  are  areas  of 
faulty  or  non-calcification,  called  interglobular  spaces  (Fig.  180). 
These  are  most  common  in  the  dentin  immediately  underlying  its 


'  Dental  Cosmos,  June,  1908 


Loc.  cit. 


MICROSCOPIC  MALFORMATIONS  239 

covering  tissue,  so  common  in  the  dentin  under  the  cementum  that 
this  portion  of  dentin  has  been  called  the  stratum  granulosum,  the 
granular  layer  of  Tomes  (Fig.  119).  In  the  body  of  the  dentin  these 
spaces  have  a  more  irregular  distribution. 

In  wet-ground  sections  (Rose)  the  dentinal  filaments  are  seen  to 
pursue  an  unbroken  course  through  these  areas.  The  contents  of  the 
interglobular  spaces  react  to  stains  like  the  sheaths  of  Neumann; 
that  is,  they  probably  contain  transitional  tissue.  These  areas 
probably  represent,  as  do  defective  spots  of  enamel,  periods  of 
depressed  vitality,  or  of  altered  nutrition.     In  the  light  of  present 

Fig.   ISO 


^V 


V.-^'*^ 


Interglobular  spaces  crossed  by  dentinal  tubes.     Prepared  by  Weil's  process.     Magnified 
240  times.     (Hopewell-Smith.) 

knowledge  regarding  the  subject  they  are  to  be  viewed  as  areas  in 
which  the  calcific  process  was  faulty.  The  malformations  noted  in 
connection  with  the  enamel  of  teeth  have  their  analogues  in  the 
dentin  (Fig.  179;  also  Fig.  186). 

Interglobular  spaces  afford  some  evidence  of  the  formation  of 
dentin  by  a  deposition  of  globular  bodies  in  a  matrix  of  protoplasmic 
material.  The  continuation  of  the  tubules  through  the  mass  of 
uncalcified  contents  is  evidence  of  their  probable  independent  for- 
mation by  the  fibril  cells. 

Occasionally  lines  appear  in  dentin  at  a  common  developmental 
level  and  having  a  degree  of  parallelism  to  the  pulp  surface.    They 


240     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE   TEETH 


Fig.  181 


Schreger's  lioes  in  dentin.    From  the  ivory  of  the  tusk  of  a  walrus.    Prepared  by  grinding 
Unstained.     X  45.     (Hopewell  Smith.) 


Fig.  182 


The  same  as  Fig.  181.     X  420.    (Hopewell-Smith.) 


MACROSCOPIC  MALFORMATIONS  241 

are  evidently  records  of  a  new  period  of  increment  and  consist  of 
short  curves  in  the  tubules.  They  are  called  contour  lines  of  Owen, 
also  lines  of  Schreger  in  dentin  (Figs.  181,  182). 

Histological  malformations  of  the  pulp  have  not  been  recorded,  the 
normal  histology  of  the  organ  not  being  made  out  with  sufficient 
certainty  to  determine  what  appearances  are  to  be  regarded  as 
abnormal.  Grosser  aberrations,  such  as  those  shown  in  Fig.  132, 
are  made  out. 

Cementum. — As  stated  in  Chapter  VI,  the  pericementum  con- 
tains numbers  of  multinucleated  cells — odontoclasts;  and  their 
presence  is  not  to  be  regarded  as  abnormal.  The  cementum  of  the 
roots  of  teeth  may  exhibit  evidences  of  former  action  of  these  cells 
in  excavations  of  cementum,  which,  by  a  subsequent  deposition  of 
cementum,  have  become  filled.  This  gives  an  irregular  course  to 
the  cement  laminae  (Fig.  177).  These  appearances  are  to  be  regarded 
as  not  necessarily  pathological,  for  the  following  reason:  for  some 
time  (years)  subsequent  to  the  eruption  of  the  teeth  developmental 
changes  occur  in  the  alveolar  bones;  depositions  (subperiosteal) 
increasing  their  volume  are  accompanied  by  resorption  of  other 
portions  of  the  bone,  such  a  balance  being  kept  between  their  pro- 
cesses that  the  teeth,  although  shifting  their  positions,  are  kept  in 
normal  occlusion. 

The  cementum  may  be  thickened  by  additional  deposits,  as  in 
hypercementosis,  which  is  an  excess  of  development  classed  as 
pathological. 

A  small  excrescence  may  be  found  upon  the  cementum,  and  is 
known  as  a  cemental  nodule. 


MACROSCOPIC  MALFORMATIONS 

The  teeth  mav  varv  from  the  normal  either  as  regards  size  or 
external  configuration. 

Variations  as  to  Size. — It  is  patent  to  the  most  casual  observer 
that  the  teeth  vary  as  to  size.  Comparisons  in  this  direction  are 
made  by  an  examination  of  the  upper  central  incisors.  Fig.  183 
shows  nearly  the  extremes  of  observable  sizes;  Guilford^  points  out 
that  excessively  large,  central  incisor  crowns  are  usually  supported 
by  abnormally  small  conical  roots.  Marked  giantism  of  the  central 
incisors  usually  occurs  in  pairs,  the  other  teeth  being  of  normal  size. 
On  the  other  hand,  dental  giantism  of  less  degree  may  involve  all 

'  American  System  of  Dentistry,  vol.  iii. 

16 


242      MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE   TEETH 

of  the  teeth  of  a  denture.  The  molar  teeth  are  occasionally  of 
enormous  size,  the  bicuspids  rarely  so,  and  the  cuspids  next  in  fre- 
quency to  the  molars  as  to  the  occurrence  of  giantism.  Guilford 
observes  that  giantism  of  the  cuspid  crowns,  unlike  that  of  the 
central  incisors,  is  usually  accompanied  by  an  increased  size  of  root. 
He  mentions  the  case  of  a  cuspid  measuring  an  inch  and  one-half 
in  length  from  tip  to  tip. 


Fig.  183 


Fig.  184 


Dwarf  Teeth. — Deficiency  in  size  is  of  more  common  occurrence 
than  excessive  size.  It  appears  to  occur  more  frequently  with  the 
upper  third  molars  and  upper  lateral  incisors  than  with  any  other 
teeth.  Fig.  184  shows  the  extremes  in  size  between  two  perfectly 
formed  lower  third  molars.  The  stunting  of  these  and  of  other  teeth 
is,  however,  usually  associated  with  such  an  aberration  of  outward 
form  that  most  dwarf  teeth  must  be  considered  as  abnormal  in  form 
as  well  as  in  size.  The  writer  has  seen  a  supernumerary  with  crown 
and  root  together  measuring  one-eighth  inch. 

Fig.  185 


Tusk-like  permanent  central  incisors;  temporary  teeth  retained  on  either  side. 
Female,  aged  twenty-five  years. 


Conical  Teeth. — The  primitive  tooth  is  composed  of  but  a  single 
cone.  Human  teeth  have  forms  which  are  modified  cones  or  com- 
binations of  cones.  Return  to  a  conical  form  is  therefore  denomi- 
nated reversion  to  a  primitive  type. 

A  central  incisor,  or  more  frequently  a  lateral  incisor,  may  have 
a  conical  crown,  as  shown  in  Fig.  185.    The  condition  may  be  double. 

Upper  third  molars  frequently  consist  of  but  a  single  cone,  diminu- 


MACROSCOPIC  MALFORMA TIONS 


243 


tive  in  size;  at  times  a  crater-like  crown  is  formed  by  a  series  of  small 
cones  about  a  central  pit. 

Hypoplasia  of  the  Dental  Structures. — By  liyi)()i)Iasia  in  this  con- 
nection is  meant  an  arrested  development  of  any  portion  of  a  tooth. 


Fig.  186 


Hypoplasia  of  enamel,  showing  arrested  stratification;  dentine  shows  effects  of  hypoplasia  at 
interglobular  spaces.     (Hopewell-Smith.) 


Fig.  187 


Fig.  188 


Hypoplasia  due  to  eruptive  fevers. 


Hypoplasia  of  iiici?al  portion  of  enamel 


The  term  atrophy  has  been  nsed  in  this  sense,  but  is  better  confined 
to  a  lessening  in  size  after  normal  development  of  a  part  has  occurred. 
(See  p.  71.)  Nutritional  disturbances,  the  exanthemata,  and  syphilis 
all  seem  to  have  a  profound  influence  upon  the  form  of  teeth  develop- 


244      MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE  TEETH 

ing  during  the  period  of  active  disease.  With  the  passing  of  this 
period  the  development  of  the  tooth  may  proceed  in  an  orderly 
manner. 

Pitted  and  Grooved  Teeth. — The  hypoplasias  described  under  this 
heading  may  consist  of  a  series  of  irregular  grooves  or  pittings,  the 
crowns  having  approximately  the  normal  outlines.  Of  these  malfor- 
mations Figs.  189  and  190  are  fairly  typical. 

Fig.  189 


Showing  the  front  teeth  grooved  from  the  alternation  of  perfectly  and  imperfectly 
developed  portions  of  enamel.    Hypoplasia.    (Tomes.) 

Hutchinson's  Teeth. — During  the  first  few  weeks  after  birth  skin 
eruptions  characteristic  of  hereditary  syphilis  are  apt  to  occur  in  the 
contaminated  child.    At  this  period  the  tips  of  the  permanent  incisors 

Fig.  190 


Malformations  of  incisal  half  of  crowns,  with  cervical  half  perfect.    Hypoplasia. 
(Model  by  W.  A.  Capon.) 


are  undergoing  development,  the  first  permanent  molar  having 
started  at  the  twenty-fifth  week  of  gestation  (see  Fig.  Ill),  and  the 
effect  of  the  syphilitic  eruption ,  during  which  the  bacterium  Spirocheta 
pallida  is  in  the  enamel  organ,  is  to  cause  a  disturbance  of  the  enamel 
organ  and  papilla  which  produces  a  defective  development  at  this 
point.  Instead  of  the  normal  angles  and  flattened  curves  of  the 
labial  surfaces  the  incisors  may  have  a  roughly  rounded  and  stunted 


MACROSCOPIC  MALFORMATIONS 


245 


appearance.    The  incisal  edge  of  the  tooth  is  narrower  than  its  neck. 
The  enamel  at  this  edge  is  irregularly  and  badly  formed;  but  there 


Fig.  191 


Pitted  and  fringed  teeth,  some  of  them  carious  at  the  incisal  edges.    Specimen  in 
museum  of  Philadelphia  Dental  College. 


Fig.  192 


Hutchinson's  teeth.     Hypoplasia.     Two  upper  centrals  notched  and  contracted.     Character- 
istically undeveloped  upper  jaw.    From  an  hereditary  syphilitic,  aged  twelve  years. 


is  a  semblance  of  the  three  enamel  tubercles  found  normally     The 
middle  tubercle,  being  composed  of  defective  enamel,  is  soon  lost 


246     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF   THE   TEETH 

b}'  abrasion,  causing  the  tooth  to  have  a  notched  appearance  (Figs. 
192,  193,  and  194). 

In  an  exhaustive  treatise  upon  this  subject,  Cavallaro^  has  shown 
that  the  pitted  cuspal  deformity  of  the  first  molars,  the  notched 
incisors  of  Hutchinson,  and  the  dystrophic  cusps  of  canines  in  the 
permanent  set,  as  well  as  similar  effects  occurring  in  the  temporary 
set,  are  the  stigmata  of  hereditary  syphilis,  either  direct  or  in  the 
second  generation.  He  found  the  Spirocheta  pallida  in  the  dental 
follicles  of  syphilitic  fetuses. 

Fig.  193  Fig.  194 


Syphilitic  teeth  in  upper  and  lower  jaws  as  The  teeth  of  hereditary  syphihs 

they  appear  when  recently  erupted.  at  maturity. 

He  calls  attention  to  the  possible  effect  upon  the  first  molar  enemal 
(developing  before  birth)  alone  as  indicating  the  cessation  of  spiro- 
chetal activity  though  the  incisor  enamel  (developing  after  birth) 
is  usually  affected.  The  cuspid  (developing  still  later)  may  not  be 
affected,  which  shows  a  cessation  of  germ  activity  between  incisor 
and  cuspid  development.  The  dental  stigmata  may  thus  occur  in 
the  absence  of  the  under-developed  body  and  other  physical  charac- 
teristics of  syphilis,  though  these  may  also  be  in  evidence  as  well  as  a 
history  or  evidence  of  more  or  less  active  manifestations  of  syphilis.^ 

While  to  syphilis  may  now  be  accredited  much  of  the  pittings  upon 
teeth,  the  history  of  an  attack  of  one  of  the  exanthemata,  such  as 
scarlet  fever  or  measles,  at  a  certain  age  corresponding  to  the  devel- 
opment of  the  particular  part  of  the  tooth  which  has  undergone 
hypoplasia  makes  it  rational  to  accredit  the  effect  to  such  exanthema. 
Measies  often  causes  characteristic  eruptions  in  the  mucous  mem- 
brane of  the  mouth  and  pharynx,  and  could  easily  affect  the  dental 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1908. 

2  No  matter  what  conviction  a  dentist  has  that  these  dystrophies  are  of  syphilitic  origin,  he 
must  be  cautious  regarding  the  expression  of  his  opinion.  Even  the  thoughtless  leaving  of  a  copy 
of  this  volume  upon  the  desk  from  which  it  was  picked  up  and  this  chapter  seen  by  a  lady 
patient,  produced  questions  of  a  very  embarassing  character  regarding  certain  defects  in  her 
child's  teeth.  Unfortunately,  Cavallaro's  investigations  do  not  take  sufficient  cognizance  of  the 
possible  intervention  of  other  exanthemata  either  in  the  subject  or  mother;  for  example,  in  his 
Case  XX,  a  girl,  aged  fourteen  years,  hereditary  syphilitic  showing  transverse  grooves  in  the 
teeth,  the  effects  are  attributed  to  syphilis.  The  child  may  easily  have  had  other  complications, 
such  as  measles. 


MACROSCOPIC  MALFORMATIONS  247 

follicle.  If  the  disease  and  the  effect  do  not  correspond  chronologic- 
ally they  should  not  he  related.  Syphilis  is  in  a  way  an  exanthem- 
atous  disease  of  chronic  nature. 

In  hereditary  syphilitics  Cavallaro  found  the  following  dental 
stigmata:  Hypoplastic  defects  of  systematic  character  with  predi- 
lection for  the  central  incisor  forming  the  notched  incisor  or  Hutchin- 
son's tooth,  and  also  cuspal  defects,  white  sulci,  white  marks,  delay 
of  development  and  eruption,  dental  infantilism,  microdontism, 
amorphism,  persistence  of  deciduous  teeth,  cuspal  defects  of  decidu- 
ous teeth,  especially  the  second  molar,  anomalies  of  structure, 
shape,  number,  direction,  arrangement,  and  color,  vulnerability  of 
the  dental  system,  ectopia,  total  or  partial  absence  of  teeth,  wearing 
away,  premature  caries,  premature  loss  of  teeth,  space  between  teeth. 

Fro.   195 


Hutchinson's  teeth,  cuspal  atrophy  of  canines  and  molars.       Multiple  sulciform  erosions. 
Diastema.     (Cavallaro.) 

diastema.  Also  the  following  maxillary  stigmata:  malocclusion, 
defective  articulation  of  the  dental  arches,  prognathism,  ogival 
palate  and  cleft  palate. 

Black;!  states  that  any  malnutrition,  even  a  burn,  typhoid  fever, 
a  spasm,  etc.,  may  mark  teeth  as  a  nail  may  be  grooved.  He 
claims  to  have  seen  Hutchinson's^  teeth  without  history  of  taint. 
As  such  history  is  exceedingly  difficult  to  obtain,  it  is  well  to  know 
that  it  is  now  possible  to  test  the  blood  of  a  suspected  syphilitic  by 
the  reaction  of  Wassermann,  which  depends  upon  the  presence  or 
absence  in  the  blood  of  the  patient  of  the  antibody  (or  amboceptor) 
of  the  Spirocheta  pallida.''  It  is  not  unlikely  that  similar  tests  may 
be  developed  for  other  exanthematous  and  infectious  diseases. 

»  Dental  Review,  1906.  2  Dental  Digest,  1904 

'  .\  complete  description  of  this  rather  complicated  test  may  be  found  in  Text-book  of  Bacteri- 
ology.    (Hiss  and  Zinsser.) 


248      MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE  TEETH 

The  point  at  which  the  arrested  development  would  occur  is  that 
part  under  development  at  the  time  the  nutritional  or  infective  dis- 
turbance occurs.  When  several  developing  teeth  are  attacked  the 
centrals  are  marked  nearer  the  neck  than  laterals,  and  these  nearer 
than  cuspids.  First  molars  are  often  occlusally  defective,  as  well 
as  incisors,  and  sometimes  the  incisors  have  only  white  or  brown 
spots  instead  of  the  incisal  notch;  bicuspids  are  only  rarely  marked. 

A  lack  of  development  of  the  anterior  portion  of  the  upper  jaw 
has  been  noted  in  a  number  of  cases  clearly  syphilitic  (Fig.  192). 
It  has  been  noted  that  not  all  syphilitic  children  present  these  dental 
appearances;  and,  again,  appearances  said  to  be  identical  with  them 
are  observed  in  children  said  not  to  be  syphilitic;  nevertheless,  the 
presence  of  such  teeth  is  usually  regarded  as  a  valuable  diagnostic 
sign  of  hereditary  syphilis.  The  existence  of  interstitial  keratitis 
and  of  chronic  catarrh  of  the  middle  ear,  in  connection  with  Hutchin- 
son's teeth  are  held  to  be  positively  diagnostic  signs  of  hereditary 
syphilis  (Hare). 

Oberwarth,^  in  a  synopsis  of  associate  symptoms,  mentions 
central  deafness,  chronic  hydrarthrosis  of  the  knee,  periostitis  of 
the  tibia,  tumefaction  of  the  spleen  and  liver,  radiating  cicatrices  of 
the  lips,  adenopathies,  ozena,  and  deformities  of  the  bridge  of  the 
nose,  cutaneous  gummata,  hemoglobinuria,  and  cerebral  phenomena 
as  possibilities  deduced  from  a  study  of  his  known  cases  of  hereditary 
syphilis. 

In  605  hereditary  syphilitics  observed  by  Sidler,  Huguenin,  and  the 
Fourniers,  the  stigmata  averaged  as  follows:  ocular,  50  per  cent.; 
dental,  43  pet  cent.;  aural,  16  per  cent.- 

Therapeutics  based  upon  such  a  diagnosis  are  followed  by  better 
results,  as  a  rule,  than  when  the  general  indication  is  ignored.  The 
boy  from  whose  mouth  a  model  (Fig.  192)  was  obtained  had  inter- 
stitial keratitis  in  the  left  eye,  chronic  nasal  catarrh,'  and  a  somewhat 
flat  development  of  the  nasal  bones. 

Tomes  favors  and  adduces  evidence  to  support  the  contention  of 
Hutchinson  that  honeycombed  incisal  edges  of  incisors  and  cuspids 
and  occlusal  surfaces  of  first  molars  are  indicative  of  mercurials 
administered  in  early  childhood. 

Pitted,  grooved,  or  otherwise  malformed  teeth  may  decay  some- 
times so  badly  as  to  produce  a  black,  slimy  appearance  almost 
loathsome  to  view.    In  other  cases  surprisingly  little  caries  develops. 

Treatment.^ — If  slightly  pitted,  gold  or  porcelain  fillings  may  be 
introduced.    Single  pits  collect  stains  which  are  not  removed  by  the 

1  Review  by  Dental  Cosmos,  1908,  p.  179.  2  Cavallaro:   Dental  Cosmos,  1909. 


MACROSCOPIC  MALFORMATIONS 


249 


brush.  It  is  well  to  concave  these  with  a  small  finishing  bur,  and  to 
furnish  the  patient  a  sharply  pointed  stick  for  cleansing  with  tooth 
powder  or  pumice.  In  some  cases  grinding  off  the  rough  incisal 
edge  is  sufficient;  in  other  cases  the  teeth  may  require  to  be  drawn 
down  after  this  procedure,  or  porcelain  inlays  may  be  used  to  restore 
the  incisal  edges.  In  the  extremely  disagreeable  cases  above  men- 
tioned some  form  of  crowning  must  be  resorted  to.  Fig,  196  exhibits 
a  restoration  of  the  case  shown  in  Fig.  190. 

FiQ.  196 


Same  as  Fig.  171,  with  Land  jacket  crowns  placed  over  anterior  teeth.    (W.  A.  Capon.) 


Fusion  of  Teeth. — Two  or  more  teeth  may  be  united  during  the 
process  of  development.  The  union  may  occur  (1)  by  the  crowns, 
(2)  by  the  roots  alone,  and  (3)  by  both  crowms  and  roots. 

1.  Fused  teeth  united  by  the  crowns  alone  have  not  been  shown. 
The  nearest  approach  to  it  is  the  case  illustrated  by  Tomes,  in  which 
two  central  incisors  have  fused  by  union  of  the  crown  portions  and 
one-fifth  of  the  root  portions  of  the  two  teeth  (Fig.  197).  Such 
teeth  w^ould  have  dentin  common  to  both  crowns  at  the  point  of 
union,  the  enamel  being  reflected  over  the  outside  of  the  common 
dentinal  mass  according  to  the  scheme  shown  in  the  diagram  Fig. 
201,  B.  The  pulp  may  be  common  to  the  two  teeth  in  the  crown. 
Of  course,  the  root  pulps  are  separate. 

The  condition  is  a  record  of  the  fact  that  prior  to  dentification  the 
papillae  and  enamel  organs  of  the  two  teeth  have  coalesced  at  some 
point.  This  must  have  occurred  at  an  early  period,  perhaps  even 
during  the  descent  of  the  cords  into  the  jaw.  When  it  is  considered 
that  the  two  central  incisors  are  contained  in  two  separate  inter- 
maxillary bones,  the  rarity  of  such  a  union  and  in  such  a  manner 
may  be  appreciated.  I  have  seen  such  a  union  between  a  right  lower 
central  and  lateral  incisor  in  the  mouth.  Recession  of  the  gum 
permitted  a  view  of  the  cervical  conformation. 


250     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE   TEETH 

2.  Those  teeth  united  by  fusion  of  the  roots  have  a  common  dentin 
at  the  point  of  union,  with  cementum  reflected  over  that.  The  pulp 
is  common  to  the  two  teeth  at  the  point  of  fusion. 

Fig.  197 


Lingual  view.  Labial  view. 

Fusion  of  two  permanent  upper  central  incisors  by  their  crowns  and  a  portion  of  the  roots. 

(Tomes.) 

In  the  specimen  shown  in  Fig.  198  at  a  there  is  but  one  apical 
foramen.  In  that  shown  at  h  and  c  there  is  but  one  foramen  for  the 
two  fused  portions  of  pulp,  though  the  other  canals  have  their  usual 
foramina.  These  cases  evidence  an  accidental  coalescence  of  pulps 
after  much  independent  root  formation. 

Fig.  19S 


a,  fusion  of  two  molars  at  the  roots — two  pulp  cavities,  one  foramen;  b,  c,  fusion  of  super- 
numerary teeth  roots  to  buccal  roots  of  upper  molars,  pulp  canal  common  where  probes  cross; 
d.  view  of  resorbed  root  end  of  two  fused  temporary  teeth:  e.  concrescence  by  hypercementosis. 


3.  Fusion  throughout  both  crowns  and  roots  have  the  same  charac- 
teristics as  the  others  combined  in  the  one  specimen  (Fig.  202) ,  The 
diagram  (Fig.  201)  shows  the  scheme  for  the  crown  and  root. 

Fig.  204  shows  specimens  of  fusion  in  both  the  upper  and  lower 
jaws.     It  occurs  also  with  the  temporary  teeth   (Fig.  205).     Fig. 


MACROSCOPIC  MALFORMA TIONS 


251 


201,  A  shows  a  very  rare  condition,  the  fusion  of  tlie  temporary 
central,  lateral,  and  cuspid  of  one  side  (triple  fusion). 


Fig.  199 


Fro.  200 


Attaehment  of  temporary  teeth  by  their 
pericementi. 


Fusion  of  a  supernumerary  tooth,  with  an 
upper  third  molar. 


FtG.  201 


Fusion  is  evidently  an  abnormality  of  development  dependent 
upon  coalescence  of  formati\e  organs  at  some  point,  and  is  most 
likely  to  occur  where  the  adjacent  tooth  follicles  have  least  anatomical 

separation  from  their  fellows.  The 
roots  of  fused  temporary  teeth  are 
resorbed  as  usual  (Fig.  198,  d). 

No  particular  treatment  is  re- 
quired unless  the  mass  in  some 
way  cause  interference  with  func- 

FiG.  202 


4,  diagram  of  a  ease  of  triple  fusion  show- 
ing crowns  with  independent  incisal  edges 
and  pulps;  but  otherwise  fused  into  one 
crown  witli  one  pulp;  B,  transverse  section 
of  same,  showing  common  pulp  cavity  and 
common  dentin  overlaid  by  en,"imel  (or 
cementum).  From  a  perfect  specimen  in 
the  editor's  collection.     (Enlarged.) 


Permanent  central  and  lateral  incisors  of  the 
upper  jaw,  united  throughout  the  whole  length  of 
the  teeth.     (Tomes.) 


tion,  which  is  unusual.  The  teeth  having  a  common  pulp,  no 
attempt  should  be  made  to  divide  them. 

Fusions  are  most  common  between  the  anterior  teeth  of  each  set 
and  between  the  second  and  third  or  third  and  fourth  (supernumerary) 
permanent  molars.  It  has  not  been  noted  in  bicuspids,  presumably 
because  these  teeth  lie  in  the  bifurcations  of  the  temporary  molars. 

Concrescence  of  Teeth. — Concresence  of  teeth  is  their  union  after 
the  tooth  is  formed;  it  is  evident,  therefore,  that  the  union  can  only  be 
caused  bv  fusion  of  cementum.    This  means  that  during  the  formative 


252      MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF   THE   TEETH 

and  eruptive  period  or  after  eruption  the  bony  partition  between  the 
teeth  disappears,  and  that  their  pericementi  become  united,  receding 
from  the  Hne  of  compression  as  cementum  is  deposited  between  and 

Fig.  203 


Geminous  upper  laterals  with  common  pulp.     Practice  of  Dr.  Varney  Barnes.     (Skiagraph 

by  E.  Ballard  Lodge.) 


Fig.  204 


A,  fusion  of  upper  geminous,  permanent  laterals;  B,  fusion  of  lower  right  permanent  central 

and  lateral  incisors. 


joining  the  roots.  The  united  teeth  show  evidences  of  hypercemen- 
tosis  at  points  other  than  the  point  of  union  (Fig.  198,  e,  and  Fig. 
206).  At  times  the  roots  of  the  same  tooth  undergo  either  fusion  or 
concrescence. 

During  the  eruption  of  the  third  molars,  particularly  the  upper, 
temporary  lack  of  space  for  the  eruption  of  the  crown  may  cause 


MACROSCOPIC  MALFORMATIONS 


253 


resorption  of  the  bone  covering  tlie  roots  of  the  second  molar,  and 
fusion  of  the  formative  pericementum  of  the  third  molar  with  that 
of  the  second  occurs;  a  deposition  of  cementum  then  binds  the  teeth 


Fia.  205 


Fusion  of  upper  temporary  teeth.    Double  fusion  of  lower  temporary  lateral  and  cuspid. 


Fig.  206 


together,  preventing  the  eruption  of  the  third  molar.  More  than 
two  teeth  may  be  thus  united.  The  lower  third  molar  rarely  pre- 
sents its  roots  to  those  of  the  second  molar;  the  contrary  presentation 
is  the  rule. 

In  at  least  one  case  the  crown  of  the  upper 
third  molar  was  partly  erupted  when  concrescence 
occurred.  Retained  in  this  situation  the  crown 
decayed  away,  necessitating  extraction ;  the  second 
molar  came  away  with  it  (see  p.  224).  The 
condition  also  occurs  apart  from  the  eruptive 
process.  Excessive  hypercementosis  upon  the 
roots  of  individual  teeth  may  finally  result  in 
their  union  (Fig.  198,  e). 

The  only  treatment  required  for  concrescence  is 
that  indicated  for  impaction  or  hypercementosis 
(which  see). 

Mechanical  Union  of  Teeth. — Teeth  upon  extraction  are  occasion- 
ally found  united  by  alveolar  bone  which  is  locked  between  the 
roots  of  the  two  or  more  teeth  and  prefers  to  fracture  elsewhere. 
Occasionally  a  sequestrum  contains  several  teeth  (Figs.  1(56,  199). 


Concrescence.  Third 
upper  molar  imprisoned 
between  the  roots  of  the 
second  molar. 


254     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE  TEETH 

Gemination  of  Teeth  (Twin  Teeth)  .^ — This  term  has  been  used  by 
Tomes  in  the  sense  of  union  of  teeth,  but  it  is  perhaps  better  used 
to  designate  supplemental  teeth  of  the  same  class.  In  twin  teeth 
the  enamel  organ  of  a  permanent  or  temporary  tooth  is  duplicated, 
in  all  probability,  two  buds  arising  from  the  cord  or  band,  as  the 
case  may  be. 

Fig.  207 


Double  gemination  of  upper  permanent  lateral  incisors. 

Duplication  of  the  Pulp  Cavity. — Hopewell-Smith  calls  attention 
to  a  case  of  an  upper  permanent  central  incisor  containing  two  pulp 
cavities  in  the  coronal  portion,  probably  an  interrupted  gemination. 

In  gemination  one  of  the  teeth  formed  is,  of  course,  a  supernu- 
merary tooth,  but  in  some  cases  both  are  typical  teeth  (Fig.  207). 
The  second  germ  may  develop  an  atypical  tooth  or  one  but  slightly 
abnormal  in  form.  The  geminous  teeth  may  undergo  fusion,  as  seen 
in  Fig.  204,  A. 

Dilaceration. — By  dilaceration  is  meant  a  displacement  of  a  formed 
portion  of  a  tooth  in  such  a  manner  as  to  change  its  relative  position 
to  the  soft  parts  engaged  in  its  development,  the  development  then 
being  continued  in  the  new  relation.^  For  example,  an  accident  to 
a  temporary  tooth  occurs  and  the  force  may  displace  the  partially 
formed  permanent  crown,  altering  its  relation  to  the  enamel  organ 
and  papilla  engaged  in  its  formation.  The  balance  of  the  crown 
may  be  formed  in  the  new  situation  and  be  of  fairly  perfect  or  of 
imperfect  structure  (Fig.  208).  This  is  most  likely  to  occur  with 
the  anterior  teeth. 


I  Tomes. 


MA  CROSCOPIC  MALFORMA  TIONS 


255 


Flexion. — Flexion  means  the  movement  of  one  of  the  formative 
organs  of  a  tooth  away  from  its  normal  relation  to  the  hard  part  it 
is  developing. 

As  an  example  of  flexion,  a  portion  of  the  enamel  organ  of  a  tooth 
may  be  displaced  and  in  its  new  relations  may  form  enamel  in  an 
unusual  situation,  as,  for  example,  upon  the  side  or  neck  of  the  root 
(see  enamel  nodule)  or  even  in  the  bifurcation  or  on  the  apex  of  the 
root  (Figs.  209  and  212).      Again,  it  is  probable  that  lack  of  space 


Fig.  20S 


Fig.  209 


PC 


P^C    BOFR 


Pulp  hernia  and  flexion,  mesiodistal  section: 
E,  enamel,  distal  section  in  the  bifurcation 
of  the  roots;  D,  dentin;  C,  C,  cementum;  PC, 
pulp  cavity;  F,  large  apical  foramen.  B  of  R, 
bifurcation  of  the  roots.  (From  a  specimen, 
enlarged.) 

Fig.   210 


Dilaceration.    Shows  fold  inthe  labial  enamel 
and  cer\acal  dentin.     (After  von  Wunschheim.') 


Enamel  excrescences.     (Salter.) 


may  cause  deflection  of  a  pulp  engaged  in  root  formation,  a  curved 
root  being  the  result  (Fig.  218).  The  pericementum  (follicle  wall) 
moves  with  the  pulp  in  these  cases. 

Unusual  Locations  of  Enamel.^ — That  during  de^•elopment  the  enamel 
organ  or  portions  of  it  may  assume  an  abnormal  relation  to  the  pulp 
is  evidenced  by  odontomes.  Apart  from  these  there  are  evidences 
seen  in  teeth  which  show^  that  portions  of  the  enamel  organ  may 


1  G.  von  Wunschheim:    Fracturen,  Infraktionen  und  Knickungen  der  Zahne. 


256     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE  TEETH 


become  detached  from  the  main  organ  and  develop  enamel  in  unusual 
situations.  Thus  columns  of  enamel  may  penetrate  the  body  of  the 
dentin. 


Fig.  211 


Fig.  212 


Lower  molar  with  enamel  nodule  connected  to 
the  enamel  of  crown  by  a  ridge  of  enamel. 


Five-rooted  upper  molar,  cap  of  enamel  on 
end  of  one  root. 


A  small  nodule  or  cap  of  enamel  overlying  dentin,  and  itself  over- 
lapped at  the  edges  by  cementum  (Fig.  213),  may  be  found  upon  the 
root  of  a  molar,  usually  upon  the  side  of  an  upper  third  molar  at  a 


Fig.  213 


Structure  of  enamel  nodule.     E,  enamel;  D,D,  dentin.     (Hopewell-Smith.) 

point  about  one-eighth  inch  from  the  cervical  margin  of  the  crown 
enamel;  but  one  may  be  one-half  inch  distant  from  the  enamel  mar- 
gin.    A  thin  ridge  of  enamel  sometimes,  though  not  usually,  seen 


MACROSCOPIC  MALFORMATIONS 


257 


connecting  them  indicates  the  nodule  to  have  been  formed  by  a 
detached  portion  of  the  original  enamel  organ  (Fig.  211).  This  forma- 
tion is  known  as  an  enamel  nodule.  It  may  occur  upon  a  lower 
molar,  though  usually  found  upon  the  upper  molars.  They  may 
cause  neuralgia.  (Ottofy.)  Two  may  exist  on  opposite  sides  of  a 
molar,  as  in  a  specimen  possessed  by  the  editor. 


Fig.  214 


Fig.  215 


Fig.  216 


Upper  molar  with 
supplemental  cusp  on 
lingual  side. 


Showing  talon-like  unusual 
development  of  the  cingule  on 
an  incisor.  (From  case  re- 
ported by  W.  H.  Mitchell, 
Dental  Cosmos,  vol.  xxxiv.) 


Very  large  supplemental  cusp  on  the 
buccal  surface  of  upper  molar. 


A  molar  root  may  have  a  cap  of  enamel  upon  its  apex,  an  evidence 
of  extreme  displacement,  even  more  than  shown  in  Fig.  212.  Some- 
times an  enamel  ridge  runs  down  the  side  of  a  root;  sometimes  an 
excrescence  may  be  found  upon  the  enamel  (Fig.  210).  Fig.  209 
shows  enamel  formed  in  the  bifurcation  of  the  roots  of  a  lower 
molar. 


Fig.  217 


Fig.  218 


Fig.  219 


Cuspids  with  long  roots. 


Curved  roots. 


Upper  cuspid  with  two  roots. 


Supplemental  Cusps. — Occasionally  a  tooth  has  a  greater  number  of 

cusps  than  usual.     The  most  common  form  of  this  condition  is  a 

supplemental  mass  attached  to  the  palatal  side  of  the  mesopalatine 

cone  of  the  upper  first  molars  (Fig.  214).    It  is  more  rarely  the  case 

17 


258     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS   OF    THE  TEETH 

that  a  cingule  of  this  sort  is  noted  upon  the  lower  molars.  The 
palatal  tubercle,  the  prominence  upon  the  cingule  of  an  upper  incisor, 
may  be  of  exaggerated  size.  In  one  case  (Fig.  215)  this  development 
gave  the  appearance  of  a  talon  upon  the  tooth,  a  distinct  cusp 
segment  in  itself. 

Fig.  216  illustrates  a  marked  supplemental  cusp  upon  the  buccal 
surface  of  a  molar.    A  fusion  in  this  location  is  not  impossible. 

Malformations  of  Roots. — Differences  in  regard  to  the  size,  arrange- 
ment, form,  and  number  of  the  roots  of  teeth  are  the  most  common 
of  the  dental  malformations.  The  roots  of  teeth  may  be  abnormally 
long  (Fig.  217)  or  abnormally  short  (Figs.  220  and  221). 

The  roots  of  cuspids  may  be  bifurcated,  particularly  in  the  lower 
jaw  (Fig.  219).  A  central  may  have  a  short  supplemental  root. 
(Guilford.i) 


Fig.  220 


Fig.  221 


Fig.  222 


Short  buccal  root  of  a 
molar,  otherwise  properly 
developed. 


Central  incisor  with  short 
root. 


Five-rooted  upper  third 
molar. 


The  upper  first  bicuspids  may  have  trifurcated  roots,  the  extra 
root  usually  being  on  the  buccal  aspect.  The  upper  second  bicuspid 
may  be  bifurcated;  upper  molars  may  have  more  than  three  roots, 
the  third  molar  often  having  four,  five,  or  six,  and  in  one  case  reported 
eight  roots  (Figs.  212  and  222).  In  some  cases  upper  third  molars 
have  but  one  root  with  a  single,  large  canal.  In  other  cases  the  roots 
are  fused  so  as  to  form  apparently  but  one  root,  while  the  canal 
divisions  may  exist.  Lower  molars  may  have  three  or  four  distinct 
roots,  but  rarely  only  one. 

Abnormalities  of  root  form  are  of  extreme  frequency,  and  are 
probably  explained  upon  the  hypothesis  of  flexion  of  the  root  pulp, 
previous  to  the  deposition  of  the  curved  portion  of  root  tissue. 

It  is  impossible  to  diagnosticate  the  forms  of  roots  from  the  appear- 
ance of  the  crowns,  but  a  skiagraph  will  determine  their  form  with 


1  American  System  of  Dentistry. 


MACROSCOPIC  MALFORMATIONS 


259 


certainty.     It  may  be  said,  however,  that  narrow  necks  indicate  a 
probable  divergence  of  roots,  and  dee  versa. 


Fia.  223 


Fig.  224 


Fig.  225 


Fibrous  odontome.     (Gar-  Two-rooted  lower  cuspid.   Rcsorp-        Results  of  hernia  of  a  pulp, 

retson,  after  Peirce.)  tion  of  temporary  roots.    (Skiagraph  (Salter.) 

by  E.  Ballard  Lodge.) 

Fig.  226 


Fia:.  22.5  magnified. 


Odontomata. — An  odontoma  is  a  growth  composed  of  structures  of 
which  the  teeth  are  composed,  but  the  masses  may  be  so  arranged 


260     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE  TEETH 

as  to  have  no  typical  form  or  even  resemblance  to  a  tooth.  They  may 
appear  in  the  arch  or  may  remain  embedded  in  the  jaw,  where  they 
may  lie  quiescent  or  may  excite  cyst  formation  (Fig.  31),  or  give  rise 
to  various  morbid  reactions,  such  as  tumor  formation. 

It  has  been  held  by  Broca  that  any  of  the  formative  organs  of  the 
tooth — enamel  organ,  dentinal  papilla,  or  follicle  wall — may  undergo 
aberrant  development  and  may  thereafter  deposit  calcific  tissue  or 
not,  as  the  case  may  be.  If  not,  soft  tumors  of  the  jaw  not  dis- 
tinctly dental  may  form,  though  in  its  complete  form  such  a  tumor 
may  become  a  seat  of  calcific  deposition  peculiar  to  the  aberrant 
tissue. 

Bland  Sutton's  classification  is  usually  adopted,  and  is  as  follows: 

1.  Aberrations  of  the  Enamel  Organ:  (a)  Epithelial  odontomes. 
(6)  Calcified  epithelial  odontomes. 

2.  Aberrations  of  the  FoUicle:  (a)  Follicular  cysts,  (h)  Fibrous 
odontomes.    (c)  Cementomata.    (d)  Compound  follicular  odontomes. 

3.  Aberrations  of  the  Papilla:  (a)  Radicular  odontomes.  (h) 
Dentomata.     (c)  Osteodentomata.     (d)  Cementomata. 

4.  Aberrations  of  the  Whole  Tooth  Germ  (or  three  formative 
organs),  Composite  Odontomes. 

Fig.  227  Fig.  228 


Radicular  odontome.     (Tomes.)  Odontoma.     (Garretson.) 

The  Uncalcified  Odontomata :  1 .  Epithelial  odontomata  which 
arise  by  aberrant  development  of  the  enamel  organ,  and  remaining 
uncalcified  resemble  the  adenomata. 

2.  Follicular  Odontomata:  (a)  The  wall  of  the  follicle  is  distended 
and  the  cavity  is  filled  with  a  thick  fluid  (sometime  pus  if  infected), 
and  contains  a  portion  of  imperfectly  developed  tooth.  It  is  in  this 
form  really  a  cyst  (Fig.  31).  (6)  The  follicle  wall  or  pericementum 
may  thicken  so  as  to  form  a  fibrous  capsule  about  the  tooth  suffi- 
ciently resistant  to  prevent  its  eruption  (Fig,  223).  This  is  called 
a  fibrous  odontome. 

3.  Compound  Follicular  Odontomata:  The  follicle  wall  thickens 
into    a    fibrous   capsule,    and   in   this    may    appear   fragments    of 


MACROSCOPIC  MALFORMATIONS 


261 


cementum,  dentin,  or  imperfectly  formed  teeth  with  their  enamel, 
dentin,  and  cementum. 

It  is  a  combination  of  an  uncalcified  and  calcified  form,  and  might 
easily  lead  to  formation  of  a  cyst  containing  many  teeth  or  portions 
of  teeth. 

The  Calcified  Odontomata:  1.  Epithelial.  The  enamel  organ 
develops  aberrantly  into  a  large,  possibly  multilocular  mass,  and 
enamel  deposition  occurs. 


Fig.  229 


Composite  odontome.    (Garretson.) 


2.  The  Cementomata:  A  fibrous  odontome  forms  from  the  follicle 
wall,  then  calcifies  into  laminated  ossific  material.  One  from  a 
horse,  in  the  Royal  Veterinary  College,  London,  weighed  seventy 
ounces.    It  may  include  one  or  more  teeth. 

3.  Radicular  Odontomata:  The  crown  may  form  normally,  but 
the  dentinal  papilla  becomes  aberrant  and  develops  largely,  conveying 
with  it  the  folHcle  wall.  Ceasing  to  enlarge,  cementum  and  dentin 
are  deposited  somewhat  in  the  ordinary  manner,  but  of  somewhat 
aberrant  deposition.  Pulp  hernia  comes  under  this  heading  and  acts 
similarly  (Figs.  225,  226,  and  227). 

4.  Composite  Odontomata:  The  developmental  organs,  the 
enamel  organ,  the  papilla,  and  follicle  wall  are  aberrant,  hetero- 
geneously  arranged,  enlarged,  and  then  deposit  a  composite  mass, 
which  may  be  somewhat  orderly  and  tooth-like  (Fig.  228),  or  be 
totally  unlike  a  tooth  as  in  Figs.  229  and  230. 


262      MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE  TEETH 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  odontomata  is  usually  that  directed 
to  their  sequels,  which  consist  of  enlargements  above  the  jaws  with 
more  or  less  inflammation  or  cyst  formation,  and,  as  a  rule,  involves 
their  removal  by  surgical  operation. 

Anomalies  of  Number. — Although  the  dental  series  of  man  nor- 
mally consists  of  thirty-two  members,  cases  are  frequently  observed 
in  which  the  number  is  less  than  or  in  excess  of  that  number,  or  there 
is  an  abnormal  number  in  any  particular  group  of  teeth. 

Fig.  230 


Composite  odontome. 


Deficiency. — It  is  observed  with  some  frequency  that  the  upper 
lateral  incisors  never  make  their  appearance,  a  condition  traceable  to 
the  influence  of  heredity  in  some  of  the  instances.  In  an  interesting 
case  of  three  sisters,  who  all  were  without  upper  laterals,  a  son  of  one 
of  them  had  them.  Unfortunately  the  history,  as  to  the  parents  of 
the  sisters,  was  not  certain,  as  they  wore  artificial  teeth. 

When  the  laterals  are  absent  the  permanent  cuspid  erupts  and 
occupies  the  lateral  incisor  space,  and  thus  sometimes  fails  to  cause 
resorption  of  the  root  of  the  temporary  cuspid,  which  -persists  in  the 
cuspid  space  (Fig.  148).  The  lower  laterals  sometimes,  but  more 
rarely,  fail  to  appear;  are  probably  never  formed  (Fig.  232).  The 
third  molar  may  never  appear,  or  appear  as  a  peg-like  tooth. 

The  cases  of  suppressed  teeth,  next  in  point  of  frequency,  are 
those  of  the  bicuspid  teeth.  If  the  corresponding  teeth  are  all  present 
in  the  dental  arch,  a  well-founded  suspicion  of  impaction  of  the 
missing  tooth  may  be  entertained. 

An  excessive  growth  of  hair  upon  the  face  and  body  has  also  beeft 
associated,  in  some  cases,  with  a  deficiency  in  number  and  altera- 


ANOMALIES  OF  NUMBER 


263 


tion  in  form  of  the  teeth.  In  other  eases  no  abnormality  was  notice- 
able.^ In  some  cases  the  hair  and  other  dermal  structures  may  be 
normal  and  the  teeth  be  quite  deficient  in  number. 


Fig.  231 


Structure  of  a  composite  odonlomo. 
Fig.   232 


Absence  of  both  upper  and  lower  laterals  in  the  same  mouth.    Temporary  left  upper  cuspid. 

The  extreme  of  suppressed  formation  is  represented  in  a  case 
described  by  Guilford. ^ 


1  Tomes:    Dental  Surgery. 


'  American  System  of  Dentistry,  vol.  iii 


264     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE  TEETH 

A  patient  over  fifty  years  old  had  never  erupted  any  teeth,  tem- 
porary or  permanent;  the  alveolar  arches  revealed  no  evidences  of 
enclosed  teeth,  but  had  the  appearance  of  typical  edentulous  jaws; 
the  alveolar  bone  itself  was  but  primitive.  The  case  appeared  to  be 
sporadically  hereditary,  a  grandparent  and  an  uncle  exhibiting  a 
like  condition.  The  cases  are  interesting  also  because  of  additional 
evidences  of  faulty  evolution  of  dermoid  structures.  In  the  first 
case  cited  no  sudoriparous  glands  appear  to  have  formed,  and  there 
was  but  a  faint  growth  of  hair  on  the  cranium,  and  none  on  the 
face  and  body.  The  uncle  was  hairless  and  edentulous  from  birth. 
Guilford  found,  in  other  members  of  the  family,  an  absence  of  the 
full  complement  of  teeth. 

In  an  interesting  summary,  Kjaer^  quotes  Trueswell  as  knowing 
of  a  man,  aged  fifty-four  years,  having  had  no  permanent  teeth,  but 

Fig.  233 


Malposition  of  molar  teeth. 

all  of  his  temporary  ones,  and  Fricke  as  having  3  cases  of  retention 
of  temporary  teeth  until  sixteen,  eighteen,  and  twenty  years  respec- 
tively, when  the  permanent  teeth  appeared,  and  Linderer  as  having 
a  case  of  a  lady,  aged  sixty  years,  who  never  had  any  teeth,  and  a 
case  of  his  own  in  which  the  temporary  teeth  were  lost  from  time  to 
time,  but  no  permanent  successors  appeared,  and  none  could  be 
detected  by  skiagraphy.  He  attributed  the  lack  to  some  disturbance 
during  fetal  life,  as  the  family  history  did  not  include  such  a  case. 

Excess. — The  possible  occurrence  of  a  condition  in  some  respects 
the  reverse  of  the  preceding  has  been  much  written  of  and  discussed 

>  Dental  Cosmos,  1907. 


ANOMALIES  OF  NUMBER  265 

—I.  e.,  the  occurrence  of  ca  complete  third  denture.  There  can  be  but 
one  conclusion  from  an  examination  of  all  the  evidence  thus  far 
presented,  and  that  is  that  no  clear  and  well-authenticated  cases  are 
made  out.  Isolated  cases  of  the  appearance  of  teeth  subsequent  to 
the  loss  of  all  of  the  second  denture  are  not  infrequent;  and,  so  far 
as  clear  records  can  be  obtained,  are  resolvable  into  cases  of  the 
eruption  of  supernumerary  or  impacted  teeth,  though  sometimes 
a  number  of  teeth  are  reported  erupted.  While  these  cases  are, 
at  least  for  the  present,  to  be  held  as  unproved  in  connection  with 
elderly  persons,  a  well-authenticated  case  of  multiple  dentition  in 
a  child  is  recorded  by  Catching.^  Between  the  sixth  and  seventh 
month  the  eruption  of  one  set  of  teeth  was  complete;  within  three 
months  all  of  these  had  been  lost.  Between  the  eleventh  and  fifteenth 
months  another  period  of  dentition  occurred,  the  teeth  of  this  second 
denture  being  of  such  faulty  structure  as  to  crumble  away  quickly. 
At  the  age  of  two  and  one-half  years  a  third  dentition  appeared, 
which  caused  the  child  such  inconvenience  that  the  teeth  w^ere 
extracted  by  the  mother.  At  the  age  of  eleven  years  a  fourth  series 
erupted,  incomplete  through  the  absence  of  six  teeth.  At  the  age  of 
fifteen  years  these  teeth  were  sound  and  firm. 

Fourth  Molar. — The  molar  series  of  man,  particularly  in  the  lower 
negroid  races,  may  consist  of  four  instead  of  three  members.  When 
the  fourth  molar  appears  in  the  white  races  it  is  usually  as  a  stunted 
member,  a  conical  or  peg-like  tooth,  similar  to  that  which  occasion- 
ally replaces  the  third  molar.  There  is  rarely  room  posterior  to  the 
distal  wall  of  the  third  molar  for  their  eruption,  so  that  they  usually 
make  their  appearance  in  the  region  shown  in  the  illustration.  S.  M. 
Hartman,2  L.D.S.,  of  Victoria,  B.  C,  has  furnished  the  model  (Fig. 
234)  of  a  case  in  which  the  molar  form  of  the  fourth  tooth  is  unusually 
well  pronounced. 

Supernumerary  Teeth. — Any  teeth  in  excess  of  the  normal  number 
of  teeth  belonging  to  any  one  class,  although  clearly  cases  of  rever- 
sion of  type  in  many  instances,^  are  included  in  the  category  of 
supernumerary  teeth.  Supernumerary  teeth  appear  as  simple 
unmodified  cones,  or  as  combinations  of  cones  resembling  the  forms 
of  teeth.  The  conical  form  is  most  common.  Cases  where  these 
peg-like  teeth  appear  around  the  third  molars,  singly  or  in  number, 
are  numerous.  Their  appearance  in  any  situation  is  evidence  that 
the  normal  number  of  dental  cords  has  been  exceeded.  They  are, 
perhaps,  all  to  be  regarded  as  cases  of  long  reversion,  not  alone 

1  Southern  Dental  Journal,  October,  1886.  ^  Dental  Cosmos,  1891. 

'  A.  H.  Thompson:  American  System  of  Dentistry,  vol.  iii,  and  American  Text-book  of  Operative 
Dentistry. 


266     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE   TEETH 

because  they  increase  the  number  of  the  dental  series,  but  because 
they  have  primitive  forms,  a  modification  of  the  forms  found  among 
the  reptiles  and  fishes. 

Fig.  234 


The  fourth  molar.     (Hartman.) 
Fig.  235 


Two  atypical  upper  supernumerary  teeth  displacing  the  incisors. 

Guilford^  divides  supernumerary  teeth  into  those  having  typical 
anatomical  forms  and  those  having  atypical  forms. 

1  American  System  of  Dentistry,  vol.  iii. 


MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE  TEETH 


267 


Fig.  236 


Supernumerary   incisors   imving  typical   forms  appear   in   either 
jaw.     In  the  upper  jaw  su])ernumerary  centrals  and  laterals  both 
appear,  the  latter  more  fretiuently  (Fig.  207).    Supernumerary  teeth 
may  occupy  any  .position  relative  to  the  dental  arch, 
but  are  more  frequently  seen  at  its  lingual  side.     The 
compound  cone  occasionally  appears  (Fig.  236).      In 
addition  to  molars  and  incisors,  supernumerary  bicus- 
pids are  occasionally  found  (Fig.  237) ;  supernumerary 
cuspids  are  very  rare,  but  sometimes  a  brood  of  them 
exists,  as  many  as  seventeen  fairly  defined  small  teeth 
having  been  removed  from  a  cyst  in  the  location  of 
the  cuspid  tooth. ^ 

Unless  supernumerary  teeth  are  a  source  of  offence, 
either  through  their  position  or  appearance,  they  need 
not  be  disturbed.    If  they  are  found  to  be  so,  they  may  be  extracted. 

Malpositions  of  the  Teeth. — A  tooth  is  said  to  be  in  malposition 
when  it  is  not  in  normal  relation  with  the  dental  arch  to  which  it 
belongs  and  to  its  antagonizing  teeth  of  the  opposing  arch.     Teeth 


The  compound 
cone. 


Fig.  237 


Case  of  seven  lower  bicuspids,  two  supernumeraries  in  place  and  one  erupting.  This  patient 
has  two  supernumerary  upper  central  incisors  displacing  the  centrals  proper,  yet  closely 
resembling  them. 

are  found  in  abnormal  positions  as  the  result  of  a  variety  of  causes. 
Some  of  these  operate  prior  to,  during,  or  immediately  after  eruption; 


'  D.  M.  Clapp:  International  Dental  Journal,  1900. 


268     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE  TEETH 

some  long  after  the  eruption  of  the  teeth,  and  some  because  of  non- 
eruption  of  teeth.     (See  p.  212.) 

Malpositions  which  are  remediable  through  the  application  of 
mechanical  force,  applied  by  means  of  suitable  apparatus,  belong  to 
operative  dentistry,  as  has  been  stated.  They  are  fully  treated  of  in 
works  upon  operative  dentistry^  and  orthodontia,^ 

The  extraction  of  teeth  after  they  have  been  erupted,  or  of  their 
predecessors,  is  one  of  the  most  frequent  causes  of  acquired  mal- 
position of  the  remaining  teeth.  The  teeth  move  from  their  original 
positions,  the  anterior  teeth,  incisors,  laterals,  cuspids,  and  occa- 
sionally the  bicuspids,  having  a  tendency  to  drift  posteriorly,  some- 
times opening  a  space  between  the  central  incisors  sufficiently  large 
to  create  a  deformity.  The  molars  have  a  decided  natural  tendency 
to  drift  forward,  and  when  the  bicuspids  are 
^^^-  ^^^  removed  they  tip  anteriorly,  causing  malocclusion 

upon  their  distal  cusps  and  sometimes  their  disto- 
buccal  cusps'  alone,  with  a  further  tendency  to 
tip  forward  and  sometimes  inward  as  well.  Sepa- 
ration of  the  posterior  teeth  may  occur,  and  in 
any  event  the  loss  of  mesial  or  distal  support 
permits  fibrous  food  to  be  packed  between  the 
teeth ;  as  they  spring  slightly  apart,  it  is  held  by 
their  springing  together  again.  The  lack  of 
occlusion  brought  about  by  extraction  of  antago- 
nists permits  elongation,  and  the  loss  of  posterior 
Effects  of  premature     support  is  apt  to  bring  about  labial  protrusion 

loss  of  permanent  first  i  •  (>  •  rm  •         nt> 

molars.  or  abrasiou  or   upper  anterior  teeth.     Ihis  efiect 

is  produced  in  youth  when  the  first  molars  are  lost 
before  the  bicuspids  are  in  place  (Fig.  238).  The  first  molars  are 
the  keystones  of  the  arches,  and  determine  the  extent  of  the 
formative  process  which  shall  occur  in  the  alveolar  bone  posterior 
to  them.  They  are  also  the  teeth  which,  correctly  placed  or  out 
of  position,  determine  largely  the  occlusion  of  the  teeth.^ 

If  a  teniporary  tooth  be  long  retained,  it  is  sometimes  raised  to 
the  occlusal  level  of  the  other  teeth;  again,  it  is  sometimes  left  at  its 
original  level  and  occasionally  imprisoned  between'  other  teeth.  The 
a;-rays  should  be  used  to  determine  the  presence  or  absence  of  the 
permanent  tooth  germ  or  resorption  of  the  temporary  roots. 

If  teeth  erupt  in  malposition,  it  is  held  to  be  wise  to  correct  as 
early  as  possible,  in  order  to  prevent  further  malposition  of  other 
teeth. 

>  American  Text-book  of  Operative  Dentistry.  ^  Guilford,  Angle,  and  others. 

'  Angle. 


IMPACTION  OF  TEETH 


269 


Fig.  233  illustrates  a  case  of  malposition  of  molar  germs  which  have 
developed  in  the  incisal  region,  displacing  the  incisors. 

Impacted  and  Encysted  Teeth. — The  extreme  extent  of  dental 
malposition  is  reached  when  the  permanent  teeth  do  not  erupt  at 
all.  Instead  of  presenting  in  the  dental  arch,  they  may  be  entirely 
embedded  in  the  substance  of  the  bone,  either  remaining  there,  with 
or  without  pathological  manifestations,  or  erupting  in  some  unusual 
situation.  In  other  cases  a  distinct  cystic  tumor  forms  about  the 
enclosed  tooth  (Fig.  31). 

Impacted  Lower  Third  Molars. — By  far  the  most  common  dental 
impaction  is  that  of  the  lower  third  molar.  The  extent  of  impaction 
varies  from  a  partial  eruption,  or  partial  imprisonment  of  the  tooth  by 

Fig.  239 


Right  half  of  lower  jaw,  showing  an  impacted  third  molar.     (.Cryer.) 


its  bony  surroundings,  to  its  entire  imprisonment  in  any  part  of  the 
ramus.  Many  of  the  more  severe  cases  treated  under  the  head  of 
pathological  dentition,  if  unrelieved,  would  be  included  in  the  category 
of  impacted  teeth. 

In  Fig.  239  is  shown  a  lower  third  molar  presenting  the  effects  of 
a  previous  impaction.  The  irritation  caused  by  the  efforts  of  the 
tooth  to  disengage  itself  or  to  overcome  the  resistance  to  its  eruption 
has  caused  an  active  formative  reaction  in  the  pericementum, 
resulting  in  an  hypertrophy  of  the  cementum.  Likewise  the  pressure 
upon  the  bone  causes  a  condensing  osteitis,  and  the  bone  becomes 
dense,  more  obstructive,  and  less  vascular  (see  p.  137). 

If  the  distance  between  the  posterior  surface  of  the  second  molar 
and  the  columns  of  the  coronoid  process  be  ^■ery  short,  it  is  evident 


270     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE   TEETH 

that  upward  eruption  is  impossible,  so  that  the  tooth  may  assume 
any  direction  of  movement,  the  most  common  being  forward,  the 
axis  of  the  tooth  changing  its  position  until  the  tooth  may  lie  in  a 
horizontal  position  or  even  become  inverted. 

Fig,  240  is  taken  from  the  same  Jaw  as  Fig.  239,  but  shows  the 
opposite  side;  the  impaction  is  pronounced.    Fig.  241  shows  another 


Fig.  240 


Inner  side  of  left  half  of  same  lower  jaw.     (Cryer.) 
Fig.  241 


Impaction  of  lower  third  molar.     Resorption  of  root  of  second  molar  and  impingement 
of  root  upon  inferior  dental  canal,  which  is  deflected  out  of  its  course.     (Cryer.) 


IMPACTION  OF  TEETH 


271 


case  with  different  anatomical  surroundings.  In  the  first  case  there 
were  evidences,  both  in  the  tooth,  in  its  bony  surroundings,  and  in 
the  external  cortical  bone,  of  the  results  of  the  irritation  produced 
by  the  efforts  at  eruption.    The  cementum  was  thickened;  the  outer 


Fig.  242 


Fig.  243 


Impacted  lower  third  molar  beneath  gum. 
Second  molar  tipped  forward.  (Skiagraph 
by  E.  Ballard  Lodge.) 


Impacted  cuspid.     (Skiagraph  by  E.  Ballard 
Lodge.) 


follicular  wall,  the  tissue  designed  to  form  the  alveolar  periosteum, 
had  exercised  its  formative  osteogenetic  function,  and  a  capsule  of 
bone  had  formed  about  the  tooth;  it  lay  in  a  bony  chamber.  ^The 
pressure  exerted  upon  the  distal  wall  of  the  second  molar  had  resulted 
in  a  pressure  resorption  of  its  root  until  the  pulp  chamber  was 
encroached  upon.    These  were  both  postmortem  cases,  and  no  records 

Fig.  244 


Impacted  biou.spid.     (Skiagraph  by  K.  Ballard  Lodge.) 


of  their  clinical  histories  were  obtainable.  The  symptoms  produced 
could  only  be  surmised  by  the  nature  of  the  anatomical  relations 
and  the  pathological  evidences.  There  may  have  been  a  prolonged 
but  mild  periostitis,  probably  a  continued  pulp  irritation ;  and  in  the 


272     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE   TEETH 

last,  neuralgia  of  any  grade  of  severity.  The  pressure  upon  nerves 
of  the  inferior  dental  canal  would  account  for  neuralgia  or  mental 
or  other  disturbance. 

Cryer  calls  attention  to  the  fact  that  a  third  lower  molar  in  its 
attempt  to  erupt,  frequently  causes  a  cellulitis,  extending  into  the 
temporomandibular  joint,  causing  acute  ankylosis.^ 

Judging  from  postmortem  records  and  recent  skiagraphy,  cases 
of  impacted  third  molars  are  more  common  than  generally  believed. 
Instead  of  remaining  in  the  alveolar  portion  of  the  bone,  the  impacted 
tooth  may  come  to  occupy  a  cavity  in  some  portion  of  the  body 
or  the  ramus  of  the  bone  (Figs.  246  to  249).     The  positions  of  the 

Fig.  245 


Same  as  shown  in  Fig.  221,  with  tooth  removed.    (Cryer.) 

teeth  in  such  cases  tend  to  confirm  Tomes'  theory  of  the  develop- 
ment of  the  jaw.  The  jaw  being  lengthened,  and  the  ramus  develop- 
ing through  conjoined  deposition  and  resorption  of  bone,  the  crown 
of  the  tooth  appears  to  be  either  fixed  in  a  bony  nucleus  and  trans- 
ported to  some  distant  point  in  the  developmental  progress  of  the 
jaw,  or  to  be  irregularly  shifted  about  during  jaw  growth.  At  later 
periods  the  pressure  exercised  by  root  formation  disturbs  the  rela- 
tions of  the  tooth  with  its  earlier  surroundings.  These  efforts  at 
eruption  may  at  late  periods  cause  the  appearance  of  the  tooth  in 


1  Dental  Cosmos,  October,  1911. 


IMPACTION  OF  TEETH 


273 


odd  situations.     In  the  case  shown  in  Fig.  248  the  crown  of  the 
tooth  made  its  way  through  the  angle  of  the  bone  and  through  the 


Fig.  246 


Wisdom  teeth  embedded  in  the  rami  of  the  lower  jaw.    (Tomes.) 


Fig.  247 


muscles  and  skin.  The  opening  in  the  skin  healed  upon  extraction 
of  the  tooth. 

Impacted  Upper  Third  Molars. — 
Some  phases  of  impaction  of  this 
tooth  have  been  spoken  of  under 
the  head  of  Pathological  Dentition. 
The  most  common  is  imprisonment 
of  the  tooth  and  its  subsequent 
partial  eruption  in  a  horizontal 
position,  the  crown  pointing  toward 
the  cheek  (Fig.  167).  The  crown 
of  this  tooth  may,  in  rare  cases,  be 
directed  inward  or  backward,  in 
the  latter  case  being  arrested  by 
the  pterygoid  plates  of  the  sphe- 
noid bone.  It  may  present  with 
an  anterobuccal  facing  of  the 
crown,  as  shown  in  Fig.  249,  or 
with  a  posterobuccal  facing. 

In  a  case  recorded  by  Tomes 
(Fig.  250)  the  extraction  of  the 
second  molar  revealed  the  third 

molar  in  a  reversed  position,  its  roots  occupying  the  depression 
between  the  roots  of  the  second  molar.  A  case  has  been  reported  of 
an  upper  molar  with  the  roots  partly  embedded  in  the  floor  of  the 
antrum,  its  neck  carious,^  and  the  antrum  in  a  state  of  suppuration. 


Wisdom  tooth  buried  in  the  ramus, 
after  Marshall.) 


(Tomes, 


1  Possibly  resorbed  or  decalcified  instead  of  carious.    (Editor.) 


18 


274     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE   TEETH 

Impacted  Cuspids. — In  point  of  frequency  of  impaction  the  upper 
cuspids  stand  next  to  the  lower  third  molars.  It  will  be  recalled  that 
the  upper  cuspids  lie  high  up;  the  floors  of  their  crypts,  in  which  they 
lie  loosely,  are  at  a  higher  level  than  those  of  the  adjoining  teeth; 

Fig.  248 


From  a  wax  model  in  the  museum  of  the  London  Odontological  Society.     (Tomes.) 

they  erupt  at  a  much  later  period,  and  their  crowns,  as  with  the 
other  anterior  teeth,  lie  lingual  to  the  roots  of  their  predecessors. 
All  of  these  are  elements  which  might  cause  displacement  of  the 
developing  cuspids.  Should  the  advance  of  eruption  not  keep  pace 
with  the  development  of  the  alveolar  bone,  imprisonment  is  likely; 


Fig.  249 


Fig.   250 


Upper  jaw,  with  the  third  molar  directed 
forward  and  impinging  upon  the  second  molar. 
The  small  tooth  situated  high  up  in  the  ante- 
rior part  of  the  jaw  was  forced  there  by  the 
spade  of  the  grave-digger.  The  artist's  accu- 
racy in  delineating  all  parts  of  the  specimen 
has  rendered  this  explanation  necessary. 
(Tomes.) 


A  second  molar  of  the  upper  jaw,  with  the 
wisdom  tooth  inverted  and  embraced  within 
the  roots.     (Tomes.) 


again,  the  dense  bone  imme- 
diately about  the  first  bicus- 
pid and  lateral  incisor  may 
offer  a  deflecting  resistance. 
Examining  the  texture  of  the 
bone  about  these  parts,  it  is  evident  that  the  direction  of  least 
resistance  to  the  advance  of  a  much  deflected  crown  is  into  the 
cancellated  bone  of  the  incisor  portion  of  the  alveolar  process; 
hence  it  is  most  usual  to  find  the  crowns  of  these  teeth  lying  with 


IMPACTION  OF  TEETH 


275 


their  cusps  pointing  forward    (Fig.  251).     Several   recorded   cases 
have  the  positions  shown;  one  or  both  of  the  teeth  may  be  impacted. 


Fig.  251 


Abnormal  jaw,  showing  impacted  cuspids.     (Crycr  ) 
Fig.  252     . 


Impacted  bicuspid.     (Salter.) 

Cuspid  teeth  may  erupt  into  the  nasal  cavity  or  appear  in  the  canine 
fossa,  and  present  the  crowns  cheekwise  or  lie  horizontally  and  above 
the  roots  of  the  bicuspids. 

Glas,  of  Vienna,  discovered  a  cuspid  in  the  nasal  floor  associated 
with  calcic  formations  in  its  ulcerated  surface   (rhinolith).     The 


276      MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE  TEETH 

patient,  aged  nineteen  years,  had  frequent  fetid  eructations,  with 
vomiting  of  green,  foul-smelling  masses.  With  the  removal  of  the 
cuspid  the  vomiting,  etc.,  ceased. 

Fig.  253 


Lower  maxilla,  in  which  the  right  second  bicuspid  is  placed  obliquely,  the  root  being  directed 
backward.  The  crown,  though  exposed,  does  not  rise  above  the  level  of  the  alveolar  margin. 
(Tomes.) 


Impaction  of  Other  Teeth. — While  impactions  are  most  common  in 
connection  with  the  teeth  named,  any  other  teeth  of  a  denture  may 
be  imprisoned.     Fig.  252  shows  an  impacted  bicuspid  whose  root 

Fig.  254 


Imprisoned  central  incisor.    (Kirk  and  Cryer.) 


development  has  been  normal  as  regards  its  length,  but  whose  curve 
has  been  modified  by  the  resistance  of  surrounding  tissues.  Fig.  254 
exhibits  an  imprisoned  central  incisor,  whose  retention  was,  no 
doubt,  determined  and  malposition  caused  by  the  development  and 


IMPACTION  OF   TEETH  277 

presence  of  the  brood  of  supernumerary  teeth  which  surrounded  its 
crown. 

Upper  incisor  teeth  have  been  seen  in\-erted  and  their  crowns 
erupted  into  the  nasal  cavity,  where  they  have  produced  inflammation 
which  later  became  infective.^ 

Fig.  255 


Maxilla,  in  which  the  temporarj-  cuspids  (the  sockets  of  which  are  shown  by  the  dotted  lines 
were  retained,  and  the  permanent  canines  developed  within  the  substance  of  the  jaw.  The  bone 
has  been  removed  on  the  one  side  to  show  the  direction  taken  by  the  tooth,  which  has  been  twisted 
on  its  axis  to  the  extent  of  a  quarter  of  a  turn.    (Tomes.) 

Sjnnptoms. — The  most  common  symptom  attendant  upon  impac- 
tion of  teeth,  judging  from  the  obtainable  records  of  cases,  is  tri- 
facial neuralgia  of  any  degree,  caused  by  impingement  of  the  mal- 
posed  tooth  upon  nerve  filaments  or  trunks.  Cryer^  records  a  case 
where  a  supramaxillary  neuralgia  was  traced  to  the  presence  of  a 
central  and  lateral  incisor,  and  a  cuspid  tooth 
in  the  anterior  wall  of  the  antrum ;  they  were  ^^°-  ^^^ 

only  discovered  by  an  exploratory  operation. 
A  cure  of  the  neuralgia  was  effected  by  their 
removal. 

Impacted  third  molars  frequently  give 
rise  to  heavy  rheumatic  pains  about  the 
side  of  the  face  and  iaws,  and  no  doubt  in     ^  ,        ^ 

.       "'        ,  Impacted    teeth    removed   by 

such    cases    as     depicted     m    Fig.     241     would         surgical  operation.    (Cryer.) 

cause  intractable  and  diffuse  maxillary  neu- 
ralgia. Salter^  records  a  case  of  long  standing  and  intractable 
neuralgia,  exhibiting  a  constant  painful  area  upon  the  scalp,  and  in 
which  heat  and  tenderness  were  noticed  over  a  swelling  upon  the 
hard  palate.  Immediate  and  permanent  cessation  of  the  neuralgia 
followed  removal  of  the  teeth. 

'  Jameson:    International  Dental  Journal,  1899. 

-  Dental  Cosmos,  1896.  '  Dental  Pathology  and  Surgery. 


278      MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF   THE   TEETH 

Dr.  X.  T.  Shields^  describes  a  case  of  great  pain  in  the  region  of 
the  mental  foramen,  accompanied  by  a  later  appearance  of  fever, 
reaching  103.8°,  with  subsequent  enlargement  of  the  submaxillary 
gland,  as  cured  by  the  surgical  removal  of  the  two  impacted  bicuspids 
and  deciduous  tooth  shown  in  Fig.  257. 

Fig.  257 


C  Skiagraph  showing  impacted  teeth.      (Shields.) 

Symptoms  of  maxillary  periostitis — heavy,  gnawing,  and  dull, 
throbbing  pain,  with  more  or  less  heat  and  engorgement  of  tissues — 
are  noted  as  an  accompaniment  of  impacted  teeth.  Such  symptoms 
may  herald  the  appearance  of  the  tip  of  the  tooth  through  its  bony 
covering  and  gum. 

Cases  of  maxillary  abscess,  in  the  absence  of  their  usual  cause 


1  Dental  Cosmos,  1908. 


IMPACTION  OF  TEETH 


279 


(gangrenous  pull)),  '"'k"^'  ^^^^^  '^  prolonged  iind  painful  course, ^  involv- 
ing neighboring  structures,  which  may  be  vital,  and  after  free  venting 
be  found  to  have  arisen  about  an  impacted  tooth.  The  probable 
explanation  for  many  cases  is  the  partial  absorption  of  the  overlying 
tissues,  permitting  ingress  of  bacteria,  but  in  some  cases  crown 
resorption  may  cause  irritation,  and  bacteria  in  the  blood  may 
localize. 

Occasionally  a  circumscribed  swelling  is  noted  upon  some  aspect 
of  a  jaw,  most  frequently  upon  the  palatal  portion  of  the  superior 
maxilla,  which  is  attended  by  inflammatory  symptoms,  and  an 
incision  reveals  an  impacted  tooth.  If  a  plate  has  been  worn  the 
tissue  between  and  even  the  bone  may  become  necrotic. 


Fig.  259 


X-ray  photograph,  showing  malposcd 
cuspid  entirely  embedded  in  the  bone 
and  pressing  upon  the  central. 


Impacted  cuspid  revealed  by  resorption  of  the 
overlying  tissues.     (Burchard.) 


Quickly  forming  cysts  of  the  Jaw,  upon  receiving  surgical  treat- 
ment, may  be  found  to  contain  the  crown  of  an  entire  tooth,  this 
evidently  being  the  centre  of  irritation  from  which  the  cystic  forma- 
tion had  its  origin.  ^Melancholia,  mania,  and  dementia  prsecox  have 
been  relieved  by  the  extraction  of  impacted  teeth  diagnosticated 
by  skiagraphy.-  This  shows  a  relation  between  cause  and  effect 
(Figs.  260,  261,  262). 

The  pulps  of  other  teeth  have  been  devitalized  by  the  strangula- 
tion due  to  the  pressure  of  the  crown  of  the  impacted  tooth  upon 
the  apical  tissue,  and  the  production  of  pulp  nodules  in  other 
teeth  through  a  reflex  hyperemia  has  been  noted.  The  resorption 
of  roots  of  other  teeth  has  been  produced  by  the  pressure  of  the 
impacted  tooth. 


1  See  Garretson's  Oral  Surgery  and  Salter's  Dental  Pathology. 
^  Upson:   Dental  Cosmos,  1910,  p.  527. 


280     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE  TEETH 

Hypercementosis  and  concrescence  have  also  been  produced  by 
the  descent  of  the  tooth  and  have  produced  impaction. 

Resorption  of  the  roots  of  the  impacted  teeth,  or  resorption  of  the 
enamel  and  dentin  of  the  crown  may  occur.  In  one  case  a  calculus 
in  nowise  associated  with  the  oral  cavity  and  divided  from  it  by  an 
area  of  pericemental  tissue  was  found.  (See  Resorption  of  Enamel 
for  illustration.)  Even  dementia  has  been  associated  with  impac- 
tion. Any  impacted  tooth  having  association  with  the  mouth  by 
way  of  a  sinus,  or  opening,  may  undergo  caries  with  consequent 
pulp  irritation  which  adds  its  symptoms. 

In  all  these  cases  diagnostic  features  exist,  though  none  are  com- 
parable to  the  a;-rays. 

Diagnosis. — The  first  point  of  observance  in  cases  of  suspected 
tooth  impaction  or  of  obscure  supernumerary  teeth  is  an  examina- 
tion of  the  dental  arches.  Are  all  of  the  permanent  teeth  in  position? 
Given  the  absence  of,  for  example,  a  lower  third  molar  from  the 
dental  arch,  with  a  history  of  no  eruption,  and  a  persistent  neural- 
gia, particularly  if  occasionally  accompanied  by  or  alternated  with 
heavy  rheumatic  or  what  are  known  as  bone  pains,  and  finding  no 
other  evident  cause  of  the  neuralgia,  an  impacted  tooth  would  be 
naturally  diagnosticated  as  the  source  of  the  disturbance.  Impacted 
teeth  which  lie  horizontally,  or  nearly  so,  along  the  palatal  vault 
frequently  cause  a  swelling.  This,  taken  in  conjunction  with  the 
absence  of  a  tooth  from  the  dental  arch,  points  to  a  diagnosis  of 
impaction. 

In  very  many  cases  of  impaction  diagnosis  has  been  a  mere  acci- 
dent, discovery  being  made  in  the  course  of  an  exploratory  surgical 
operation.  Modern  sciences  solves  with  the  a;-rays  the  difficulties 
attendant  upon  the  diagnosis  of  impacted  teeth.  B.  H.  Catching^ 
was  the  first  to  practically  apply  this  diagnostic  test  in  this  connec- 
tion. The  left  upper  central  incisor  of  a  female,  aged  nineteen  years, 
became  loosened,  and  an  exploration  through  its  pulp  chamber 
revealed  a  hard  body  occupying  a  position  part  way  up  the  root, 
which  had  undergone  resorption  to  that  point.  The  cuspid  of  the 
left  side  was  absent  from  the  arch.  A  skiagraph  of  the  parts  (Fig. 
258)  revealed  the  missing  cuspid,  whose  crown  had  impinged  upon 
and  caused  resorption  of  the  central  incisor. 

Impacted  teeth  may  become  uncovered  at  some  aspect  late  in 
life,  and  the  condition  be  discovered  incidentally.  Cases  are  recorded 
where  the  pressure  of  a  plate  has  caused  the  resorption  of  tissues 
overlying  an  impacted  tooth,  thus  revealing  its  presence.    Fig.  259 

•  Catching's  Compend,  1896. 


IMPACTION  OF   TEETH 


281 


illustrates  a  case  where  the  presence  of  an  impacted  cuspid  was 
revealed  at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  through  resorption  of  the 
alveolar  bone  and  the  gum  tissue  covering  the  tooth. 

As  the  smooth  feel  of  enamel  is  a  diagnostic  feature  when  instru- 
mental examination  is  made,  it  is  to  be  remembered  that  the  enamel 
and  dentin  of  an  impacted  tooth   may  undergo  a  true  resorption 


Fig.   2G0 


Fig.  201 


Impacted  lower  third  molar;   cause  of  neu- 
ralgia.    (Skiagraph  by  Lodge.) 


Cuspid  tooth,  unsuspected  by  patient; 
demonstrated  to  have  been  responsible  for 
severe  neuralgias.  Patient,  a  draughtsman, 
had  not  been  able  to  work  at  his  business  for 
the  six  months  previous.  The  tooth  was  not 
known  to  be  present  until  revealed  by  i-rays. 
It  was  removed  from  the  lingual  side. 
(Skiagraph    by   Lodge.) 


Fig.  262 


Impaction  of  upper  third  molar,  without  local  pain,  cause  of  profound  delusions 
and  melancholia.     (Upson.O 


with  the  characteristic  Howship's  lacunae.  "Wlien  partly  exposed 
to  the  oral  fluid  caries  may  occur.  Both  these  conditions  produce 
rough  surfaces,  but  enamel  may  usually  be  felt  at  some  point. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  cases  of  impaction  is  the  removal  of 
the  offending  tooth.     Whether  or  not  this  comes  within  the  province 


I  Insanity  Caused  by  Painless  Dental  Disease,  Dental  Cosmos,  1910. 


282     MALFORMATIONS  AND  MALPOSITIONS  OF  THE  TEETH 

of  the  dental  operator  depends  upon  the  position  of  the  tooth,  and, 
incidentally,  upon  the  usual  range  of  practice  of  that  particular 
practitioner.  When  the  tooth  is  embedded  deeply  in  the  substance 
of  the  jaw,  access  to  it  involves  the  anesthetization  of  the  patient, 
and  the  removal  of  the  bone  which  obstructs  the  path  of  extraction; 
this  may  be  an  operation  of  some  magnitude,  and  is  usually  done  by 
a  special  surgical  practitioner.  When,  however,  it  is  evident  that 
the  obstructions  to  the  removal  of  the  tooth  consist  of  the  soft 
tissues  and  but  a  lamina  of  bone,  the  operation  for  removal  is  clearly 
within  the  province  of  the  dental  operator.  For  example,  the  pres- 
ence of  an  impacted  cuspid  is  determined  lying  horizontally  along 
the  lateral  aspect  of  the  roof  of  the  mouth.  The  parts  may  be 
injected  with  a  cocain  or  eucain  solution,  and  a  cut  made  with 
a  sharp  bistoury  through  the  soft  tissues  from  the  outside  of  the 
swelling  to  the  bone.  The  flap  thus  outlined  is  raised  from  the 
bone,  the  flap  including  the  periosteum.  A  large,  sharp  bur  is  then 
employed  to  remove  the  covering  bone.  When  the  tooth  is  freely 
exposed  it  may  be  dislodged  with  forceps  or  elevator.  The  parts 
are  then  washed  with  a  hydrogen-dioxid  solution,  dried,  the  flap 
pressed  back  into  place,  and  steresoP  painted  over  the  parts. 

I^ — Purified  gum  lac 5ix 

Purified  gum  benzoin §|- 

Balsam  of  tolu B^ 

Oil  of  cinnamon  (Chinese) 5-3- 

Carbolic  acid •■  5  iij 

Saccharin §5 

Alcohol Oij— M. 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1S95: 


SECTION   III 

AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 


CHAPTER    IX 

ABRASION,   EROSION,  AND  STAINS 

Formed  by  the  ameloblasts,  later  changed  into  Xasmyth's 
membrane,  and  borne  upward  with  the  crown  during  the  process 
of  eruption,  enamel  has  no  posteruptive  source  of  nutritive  supply 
from  without. 

Its  only  conjectural  source  of  nutrition  is,  therefore,  from  the 
pulp  via  the  dentinal  tubuli.  This  seems  to  have  been  proved  by 
Caush,  and  later  by  others.  (See  p.  165.)  Teeth  do  change  in  color 
with  advancing  age,  generally  becoming  yellower;  this  is  probably 
due  to  the  tubes  containing  organic  matter  which  are  now  supposed 
to  permit  a  slow  interchange  of  nutritive  sap.^  The  editor  has  a 
patient  with  a  vital  tooth  of  mahogany  brown  color,  which  she  claims 
changes  the  depth  of  color.  Changes  in  the  color  of  the  dentin  may 
be  transmitted  through  enamel,  which  is  normally  almost  or  even 
quite  transparent.  Such  a  transparency  may  be  seen  at  the  incisal 
edges  of  thin  incisors  before  these  edges  are  worn  down.  Another 
proof  of  transmission  of  color  through  enamel  is  seen  in  caries;  a 
bluish-black  or  white  appearance  is  caused  by  the  decayed  mass  or 
decalcified  inner  surface  of  the  enamel. 

Again,  amalgam  or  gold,  oxyphosphate  or  oxychlorid,  reflects  its 
color  through  enamel,  and,  in  excavating,  the  shadow  of  the  excavator 
may  be  seen  through  thin  walls.  Enamel  may  be  stained  or  whitened 
by  decalcification  due  to  causes  acting  externally.  Extreme  polishing 
may  also  cause  a  new  character  of  light  reflection  simulating  a  change 
in  color.  Talbot  claims  a  change  in  color  of  teeth  during  prolonged 
illness,  such  as  pneumonia,  typhoid  fever,  syphilis,  tuberculosis,  and 
in   pregnancy.2     With   advancing   age   the   translucency   of   teeth 

1  C.  Francis  Boedecker:  Dental  Cosmos,  September,  1911. 
-  Dental  Cosmos,  1905,  p.  49. 


284  AFFECTIONS  OF   THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 

verges  more  toward  transparency — apparently  a  sclerotic  change. 
(See  Transparency.) 

After  implantation  a  tooth  may  somewhat  change  its  color,  but 
this  evidently  cannot  be  due  to  nutrition  from  the  pulp,  as  this 
organ  will  have  been  removed  before  implantation.  It  would  seem 
that  it  may  take  up  coloring  matter  from  the  saHva. 

Enamel  may  suffer  mechanical  and  chemical  injury,  but  whether 
it  may  undergo  constructive  changes  or  retrograde  metamorphosis 
is  at  present  only  conjectural.  There  is,  however,  a  possibility 
that  a  molecular  change  may  occur  as  a  result  of  slow  interchange, 
environment,  or  impact  of  mastication. 

The  dentin  and  cementum  contain  about  28  and  30  per  cent,  of 
organic  matter  respectively,  and  stain  deeply  and  permanently  with 
great  readiness. 

Possessed  of  living  cells,  they  also  undergo  changes  in  their  structure 
under  the  influence  of  various  stimuli,  their  substance  being  added 
to  or  reduced  according  to  circumstances.  They  are  also  acted  upon 
by  mechanical  and  chemical  agencies,  if  exposed  to  their  influence. 


ABRASION 

Abrasion  is  the  mechanical  wearing  away  of  tooth  substance. 

Occurrence. — It  occurs  most  commonly  upon  the  occlusal  surfaces 
of  teeth,  but  is  also  found  upon  the  approximal  and  labial  surfaces, 
the  labial  cervix,  and  more  rarely  upon  the  lingual  surfaces.  It  is 
also  seen  in  the  temporary  denture,  expecially  in  the  molars,  and 
is  found  in  animals  (Figs.  273  and  274). 

Appearance. — Purely  abraded  surfaces  present  a  smooth,  flat,  or 
concaved,  highly  polished  appearance.  The  surface  may  become 
stained  or  otherwise  altered  in  color,  or  subsequent  caries  may 
remove  its  smooth  surface. 

Occlusal  Abrasion. — Occlusal  wear  is  very  common,  and  occurs 
largely  with  men  who  chew  tobacco ;  the  contained  silex,  .being  gritty, 
acts  as  an  abrasive.  Such  wear,  due  to  the  use  of  hard  food  or  gritty 
substances,  is  seen  in  skulls  of  aboriginal  man.  Ottofy  describes  a 
peculiar  form  of  w^asting  due  to  chewing  betel  nut  mixed  with  bay 
leaves  and  slaked  lime.  Xo  doubt  a  silicious  element  is  introduced. 
Some  degree  of  occlusal  wear  is  accepted  as  normal  to  all  teeth,  the 
act  of  mastication  producing  marks  or  facets  at  the  point  of  articu- 
lation of  antagonizing  teeth.  A  tip-to-tip  variety  of  occlusion 
permits  free  lateral  movement  of  the  lower  jaw^,  and  a  herbivorous 
type  of  articulation  causing  abrasion.     It  is  also  frequent  in  those 


ABRASION 


285 


cases  presenting  the  first  degree  of  prognathism.  In  some  of  these 
cases  the  labial  surfaces  of  the  upper  incisors  and  cuspids,  and  the 
linguo-incisal  margins  of  the  lower  incisors  are  worn.  A  single  over- 
lapped lower  tooth  may  abrade  an  upper  tooth  in  this  manner. 

The  gritting  of  teeth  is  also  a  cause.  This  gritting,  termed  "  bruxo- 
mania,"  may  occur  only  at  night  or  for  a  few  minutes  each  day; 
again  it  may  appear  for  entire  days,  weeks,  and  months,  not  ceasing 
even  during  sleep.  In  such  cases  the  teeth  are  worn  down  flat. 
Maria  and  Pietkiewicz^  noted  12  cases  of  central  nervous  lesions, 
mostly  dementia,  developing  bruxomania;  also  it  has  been  noted  in 
cases  of  epilepsy  and  chorea. 

A  clay  pipestem  may  wear  a  hole  of  its  own  diameter  in  the  incisal 
edges  of  anterior  teeth;  other  stems  wear  less.  Upholsterers  and 
seamstresses  have  peculiar  abrasions  (tack  holding,  thread  biting) 

Fig.  263 


Abrasion  of  anterior  teeth,  with  loss  of  posterior  occlusion.     (W.  A.  Capon.) 

The  undue  loss  of  posterior  occlusion  and  consequent  overuse  of 
the  anterior  teeth  cause  their  abrasion  after  the  manner  shown  in 
Fig.  263.  A  marked  overbite,  produced  in  any  manner,  may  cause 
lingual  abrasion  of  upper  anterior  teeth. 

Where  the  abrasion  occurs  in  a  fairly  regular  manner,  four  degrees 
of  abrasion  are  classified:  (1)  Abrasion  removing  the  cusps;  (2) 
abrasion  removing  the  occlusal  third  of  the  crown;  (3)  abrasion 
removing  the  middle  third  of  the  crown;  (4)  abrasion  extending  to 
the  gum  line  or  beyond.     (Broca.)     (See  Figs.  264  and  265.) 

When  there  is  a  marked  overbite  occlusion,  with  a  consequent 
lessening  of  the  lateral  movement  of  the  mandible,  the  teeth  do 
not  acquire  flattened  contact  surfaces,  but  their  cusps  increase  in 
sharpness  and  pointedness.  This  at  times  becomes  exaggerated,  and 
produces  an  interlocking  of  cusps  or  rather  worn  surfaces  which 
have  very  sharp  edges. 

In  the  first  degree  of  abrasion  the  dentin  is  often  hollowed  out  in 


1  Dental  Cosmos,  1907.  p.  525. 


286 


AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 


advance  of  the  enamel  of  the  cusps,  forming  concave  places  in  which 
berrj^  seeds  lodge  and  cause  annoyance.  These  spots  are  at  times 
hypersensitive.  The  plane  surfaces  also  are  often  sensitive  upon 
merely  rubbing  the  teeth  together. 


Fig.  264 


L          ''^'       "*    *■■ 

IS     «^-""i\'  'Mm^ 

^•P 

The  first  and  second  degrees  of  abrasion.    Specimens  from  museum  of  Philadelphia 
Dental  College. 

Fig.  265 


The  third  and  fourth  degrees  of  abrasion.     Secondary  dentin  plainly  visible. 
Specimens  from  museum  of  Philadelphia  Dental  College. 


Labial  and  Approximal  Abrasions. — Some  forms  of  abrasion  have 
been  attributed  to  too  vigorous  use  of  tooth-brushes,  particularly 


ABRASION  287 

when  gritty  powders  are  employed.  There  is  no  doubt  that  mechan- 
ical abrasion  about  the  necks  of  teeth  is  produced  in  this  manner,  the 
gum  Hne  receding  beyond  the  enamel  border,  exposing  the  cementum; 
but  a  careful  examination  will  reveal  the  cementum  and  next  the 
underlying  dentin  to  be  affected;  the  enamel,  when  abraded,  shows 
first  as  a  facet,  then  as  a  spot  of  bare  dentin  with  thin  edges  of  enamel 
around  it  (see  the  left  lateral  in  Fig.  2S4),  and  later  the  area  may  be 
grooved.  As  a  rule,  however,  the  effect  shown  in  Fig.  283,  lower 
jaw,  is  the  more  common.  These  tooth-brush  abrasions  are  quite 
characteristic.  In  well-kept  dentures  the  gums  are  seen  to  have 
receded  from  their  normal  line,  but  may  exhibit  little  evidences  of 
turgescence;  the  roots  of  the  teeth,  upper  and  lower,  are  exposed  to 
a  greater  or  less  extent  along  their  labial  and  buccal,  but  not  usually 
along  their  lingual   aspects;   and   they   are   excavated   to   variable 


Abrasion  due  to  employment  for  twenty  jears  of  a  gritty  English  tooth  paste. 
At  7,  gold  crown  abraded.     (Miller.) 

depths,  upon  the  bicuspids  and  first  molars  more  than  upon  the 
other  teeth,  as  here  the  greatest  force  of  brushing  is  received.  The 
depressions  have  a  normal  dentin  color,  sometimes  deepened  in  the 
mouths  of  non-smokers,  and  which  in  smokers  may  be  periodically 
blackened  by  deposits  of  carbon.  If  caries  supervene,  the  abraded 
areas  lose  their  normal  color,  and  may  be  readily  indented  by  sharp 
instruments,  which  they  resist  before  the  advent  of  caries.  The 
bicuspids  and  molars,  particularly,  may  be  grooved  in  such  manner 
as  to  require  restoration  by  fillings. 

Miller^  investigated  this  subject  very  carefully,  and  found  that 
the  grit  in  many  forms  of  tooth  powder  vigorously  used  was  quite 
competent  to  wear  away  tooth  structure,  gold,  and  other  fillings 
(Figs.   266  to  269).      Figs.   268  and   271    show  a  lingual  wasting 

'  Dental  Cosmos,  1907. 


288  AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 

Fig.  267 


Photomicrograph  of  sediment  obtained  by  washing  tooth  paste,  which  caused  the 
abrasion  shown  in  Fig.  266.    (Miller.) 


Fig.  268 


A     B  c 


Abrasion  of  lingual  surface  by  assiduous  brushing  with  tooth  powder.    At  D  and  E 
amalgam  worn  down.      (Miller.) 


ABRASION 


289 


resembling  graphic  erosion.      In  both  cases  abrasion  is  proved  by 
the  wasting  of  metal,  which  acids  could  hardly  accomplish.     Miller 


Fig.  269 


Artificial  abrasion  produced  by  brushing  with  a  much-used  English  tooth  paste  with  motor  brush 
for  eighteen  hours.     Remains  of  gold  filling  in  first  bicuspid.     (Miller.) 


Fig.  270 


Gradual  wear  of  both  tooth  substance  and  filling  material,  notwithstanding 
the  open  bite.     (Miller.) 


experimentally  proved  abrasion  competent  to  produce  the  grooves 
known  as  "wedge-shaped  defect"  (Fig.  269). 
19 


290  AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 

Calculus  may  be  worn  in  like  manner,  either  by  the  brush  or  by 
the  festoon  of  a  plate  (Fig,  272). 

Miller  found  that  among  clinic  patients  who  never  used  a  tooth- 
brush the  labial  abrasion  was  wanting,  and  he  observed  that  a 
cessation  of  wear  followed  the  abandonment  of  the  use  of  gritty 
powder  and  the  adoption  of  a  soft  brush  and  mild  powder,  which  is 
the  evident  indication  in  such  a  case. 

A  clasp  may  abrade  a  tooth,  and,  if  food  debris  be  retained  on  its 
inner  side,  caries  may  follow  in  the  abraded  area.  The  purely  abraded 
surface  will  be  polished.  Slight  approximal  abrasion  may  be  normal 
as  a  facet,  due  to  the  rubbing  of  one  tooth  upon  another  at  the 
contact  point.  A  marked  example  of  this  was  seen  in  the  mandible 
of  a  skull  of  a  Maori.     (Museum  of  Philadelphia  Dental  College.) 

The  third  lower  molars  are  locked  beneath  the  distal  surface  of 
the  crowns  of  the  second  molars.  Some  form  of  bone  loss  occurred, 
producing  looseness  of  the  third  molars.  The  individual  motion  of 
the  teeth  produced  a  deep  abrasion  of  the  enamel  of  the  second 
molars  upon  the  distal  surface,  and  an  occlusoproximal  abrasion  of 
the  third  molars. 

Grit  in  powder  may  easily  be  detected  by  taking  a  small  portion 
between  the  incisor  teeth,  or  may  be  found  by  elutriating  the 
powder,  i,  e.,  place  in  water,  stir,  let  settle  for  a  few  seconds,  pour 
off  the  supernatant  fluid,  and  examine  the  sediment  as  above  or 
microscopically  (Fig.  267). 

Miller  found  from  experiments,  as  to  the  effects  of  various  acids 
acting  for  a  time  and  followed  by  brushing  with  abrasives,  that  it 
depends  very  materially  upon  the  nature  of  the  acid.  Those  acids 
which  rapidly  decalcify  (soften)  the  dentin,  of  which  we  may  take 
hydrochloric  and  lactic  as  types,  most  readily  retard  the  wearing 
away  by  friction  (unless  the  friction  be  so  great  as  to  wear  in  spite 
of  the  decalcification).  While  those  which  act  slowly  on  the  dentin 
(oxalic,  tartaric,  etc.),  as  well  as  those  which  have  a  macerating 
effect  on  decalcified  dentin,  may  be  wanting  in  this  influence.  He 
concluded  that  wear  could  not  be  produced  by  acid  alone,  but  that 
any  acid  or  acid  salt  which  possesses  the  power  of  extracting  the 
calcium  salts  from  enamel,  or  of  breaking  up  the  connection  between 
the  enamel  prisms,  may  accelerate  the  process  of  wasting,  provided 
the  necessary  mechanical  factor  works  together  with  it.  Miller 
found  food  to  be  a  negligible  quantity  as  to  wear  upon  labial 
surfaces. 

The  editor  has  a  patient  presenting  the  general  characteristics  of 
Fig.  285,  who  has  been  a  brush  enthusiast,  and  was  taught  in  early 
life  to  use  a  toilet  soap  containing  fine  pumice  (Bazin's  poncine  soap). 


ABRASION  291 

Extensive  approximal  abrasion  may  be  due  to  extrusive  elonga- 
tion of  a  tooth  in  one  or  both  jaws,  causing  a  tooth  to  occlude  with 
its  antagonist  with  a  glancing  motion. 

In  this  manner  specimens  are  produced  abraded  from  the  occluso- 
approximal  angle  to  nearly  the  apex  of  the  root. 

The  festoon  of  a  metal  plate  may  rapidly  cause  abrasion  of  the 
lingual  cer\'ix  of  a  tooth.  The  condition  is,  however,  rare,  caries 
being  more  common.  In  the  editor's  practice  a  case  was  seen  in 
which  several  teeth  were  so  affected  in  a  few  months  by  an  ill-fitting 
metal  plate.  The  festoon  of  a  vulcanite  plate  has  also  produced 
such  an  abrasion. 

Abrasion  sometimes  follows  caries  when  the  latter  has  become 
freely  exposed  to  attrition.  The  softened  surface  wears  away  and 
the  part  assumes  a  polished  appearance,  but  is  discolored  as  the 
result  of  the  stain  due  to  the  caries.  (There  is  also  eburnation, 
which  see.) 

It  is  probable  that  a  hyperacid  condition  of  the  saliva  in  con- 
nection with  mechanical  forces  may  be  a  cause  of  rapid  abrasion. 
(See  Erosion.) 

Effects  of  Abrasion. — These  are  external  and  internal,  and  most 
marked  in  the  occlusal  variety.  The  crown  wears  dowm  until  at  times 
the  gum  is  reached.  In  the  process  sharp  edges  of  enamel  are  formed. 
These  splinter  off,  leaving  rough  edges,  or  the  enamel  may  fracture 
or  split  longitudinally,  following  the  axis  of  the  crown.  Supported 
by  dentin  it  does  not  further  break  away  (Fig.  293). 

Sharp  enamel  edges  may  irritate  the  tongue,  producing  ulcers  of  a 
sometimes  chronic  type,  which  acquire  indurated  edges  and  simu- 
late syphilitic  sores  or  epithelioma.  The  causal  relationship  between 
sharp  edges  of  the  teeth  and  lingual  epithelioma  appears  to  be  quite 
clear  in  some  cases.  Brown^  mentions  a  case  of  tetanic  spasms  of 
masticatory  muscles  due  to  this  source. 

Sores  which  have  given  evidence  of  malignancy  and  been  diagnos- 
ticated as  malignant  growths,  have  been  cured  by  rounding  and 
polishing  sharp  and  irritating  enamel  edges  of  teeth. 

The  continued  stimulation  of  the  ends  of  the  dentinal  fibrillar,  which 
are  exposed  in  abrasion,  causes  them  either  to  become  hypersensitive 
or  stimulates  them  to  formative  activity.  Tubule  material  is  built 
upon  the  inner  walls  of  the  tubule,  obliterating  their  lumen.  This 
is  the  so-called  tubular  consolidation  or  calcification  (eburnation). 
Accompanying  this,  secondary  dentin  is  often  formed.  As  a  result, 
most  commonly  the  pulp  chamber  of  the  crown  is  filled  up  with 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1908,  p.  4. 


292  AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 


Fig.  271 


Fig.  272 


a,  abrasion  of  lingual  surfaces;  b,  of  amalgam  filling 
produced  by  a  plate.     (Miller.) 


Abrasion  of  calculus.     (Miller.) 


Fig.  273 


Fig.  274 


LJ^ 


Abrasion  of   lower  incisors  of  a  horse  pro-  Defects    resembling   wasting   in   the  teeth    of    a 

duced  b.y  "cribbing."    (Miller,  after  Kitt.)  sea  lion.     (Miller,  after  Murie.) 


ABRASION  293 

secondary  dentin  as  the  abrasion  proceeds,  and  the  crown  may  often 
be  worn  off  nntil  the  cervix  is  reached,  while  the  pulp  remains,  \ital 
and  covered  (Fig.  205).  In  some  cases  the  abrasion  closely  ap- 
proaches the  pulp,  which  has  failed  to  protect  itself,  probably  because 
of  atrophy  of  odontoblasts,  and  the  phenomena  of  hyperemia,  or 
even  exposure,  and  its  results  occur.  A  left  upper  bicuspid  of  the 
second  skull  in  Fig.  265  was  in  this  state. 

The  causes  and  phenomena  of  abrasion  of  the  temporary  teeth  are 
practically-  the  same  as  in  the  case  of  adults,  except,  perhaps,  that 
children  are  more  subject  to  the  action  of  rectal  parasites,  as  ascaris 
lumbricoides,  tenia,  etc.,  or  suffer  from  irritable  bladder  due  to 
hyperacidity  of  the  urine.  These  conditions  commonly  produce  a 
reflex  stimulation  of  the  muscles  of  mastication,  resulting  in  nocturnal 
gritting  of  the  teeth. 


Same  case  as  Fig.  263.     Bite  opened  by  bridge-work,  posteriorly.    Anterior  teeth 
restored  by  means  of  Land  jacket  crowns.     (W.  A.  Capon.) 

Treatment  of  Abrasion. — In  the  cases  of  cupped  occlusal  dentin, 
hard  fillings  of  gold  or,  preferably,  platinum  gold  are  advisable. 
Whether  the  filling  be  built  in  or  an  inlay  be  set,  it  is  advisable  not 
to  cut  too  closely  to  the  enamel  in  making  the  cavity,  for  the  struc- 
ture of  such  a  wall  is  often  fractured  after  filling  when  this  is  done. 
If  possible  the  form  in  Fig.  276,  with  retention  made  elsewhere  than 
near  the  side  enamel  is  preferable.  Inlays  requiring  only  pin 
anchorage  are  preferable  when  undercutting  would  weaken. 

If  nearly  all  teeth  are  present  and  the  abrasion  slight,  bridge-work 
may  be  used  to  restore  the  full  occlusion  without  attempt  at  restora- 
tion of  the  worn  surfaces. 

If  the  abrasion  of  the  upper  anterior  teeth  be  deep,  the  bite  may 
be  raised  by  appropriate  posterior  crowns  or  bridges,  and  solid 
platinum-gold  fillings  may  be  built  upon  the  anterior  teeth,  either 
the  uppers  alone  or  upon  both  the  upper  and  lower 'teeth.  Anchor- 
age may  be  obtained  in  the  dentin,  or  screws  may  be  planted  in  the 


294 


AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 


Fig.  276 


dentin  between  the  enamel  and  pulp  and  the  fillings  be  built  about 
them.  Instead  of  malleted  fillings,  tips  of  the  gold-inlay  type  may 
be  made  (Figs.  277  and  278).  Casting  the  inlay  is  a  simpler  method. 
For  those  cases  in  the  second  degree,  as  a  means  of  limiting  the 
abrasion.  Dr.  J.  C.  Curry  has  introduced  small  truncated  cones  of 

unannealed  iridioplatinum,  which  are  to 
be  cemented  into  holes  drilled  into  the 
occlusal  faces  of  the  molars  and  bicuspids 
with  an  inlay  drill  of  exactly  correspond- 
ing size  mounted  in  the  right-angle  hand 
piece.  As  many  are  put  in  as  the  safety 
of  the  pulp  and  the  enamel  will  permit. 
They  act  upon  the  same  principle  as  steel 
nails  in  a  shoe  heel. 

In  other  cases,  after  securing  a  proper 
opening  of  the  bite  and  posterior  occlusion  with  crowns  or  bridges, 
single  porcelain-faced  gold  or  platinum  crowns  may  be  made  to 
cover  each  of  the  anterior  teeth.  For  this  purpose  the  crown  is  ap- 
propriately reduced  to  convenient  form,  but  the  pulps  need  not  be 
destroyed.  Fig.  279  represents  the  method  outlined  by  Evans.^ 
There  can  be  no  objection  to  pulp  removal  in  any  of  these  cases, 
if  for  any  reason  a  dowelled  crown  seem  preferable. 


Manner  of  preparing  the  outer 
retaining  wall  of  a  cavity  in  case 
of  cupped  occlusal  abrasion. 


Fig.  277 


Fig.  278 


Fig.  279 


Gold  tip  for  abraded  teeth 
with  living  pTilps.  (Evans.)  If 
cast  the  margins  are  to  be 
beveled  outwardly. 


Gold  tip  for  abraded 
teeth  with  pulps  removed. 
(Evans.) 


Porcelain-faced  crowns 
for  teeth  with  living 
pulps.    (Evans.) 


Land  jacket  crowns,  consisting  of  a  wedge-shaped  platinum  jacket 
with  a  porcelain  facing  attached  by  means  of  one  of  the  numerous 
inlay  bodies,  may  be  used  instead  of  the  Evans  crown.  In  some  cases 
other  forms  of  crowns  may  be  indicated  (Fig.  275) . 


1  Crown  and  Bridge  Work. 


ABRASION  295 

There  present  at  times  cases  of  abrasion  in  which,  aside  from  tiie 
wear,  pyorrhetic  conditions  may  be  present,  or  where  bridges  cannot 
be  properly  inserted,  especially  when  only  a  few  teeth  remain. 

If  this  pertain  to  the  upper  jaw  only,  the  lower  denture  may  be 
restored  to  usefulness,  the  upper  teeth  extracted,  and  a  full  upper 
denture  inserted;  this  permits  the  adjustment  of  the  bite  to  any 
desired  level.  If  the  conservation  of  a  few  teeth  is  desirable  they 
may  be  crowned  or  bridged,  the  occlusion  being  raised  if  desirable, 
then  a  plate  constructed.  If  the  condition  be  transferred  to  the 
lower  jaw  and  the  anterior  teeth  be  in  good  condition,  a  piece  with 
the  Roach^  or  Morgan  attachment  type  may  be  fixed  upon  cuspid 
or  bicuspid  crowns. 

It  is  to  be  remembered  that  in  any  case  of  opening  of  the  bite  the 
occlusion  is  to  be  restored  throughout. 

The  bite  must  not  be  raised  by  means  of  partial  plates  which  strike 
before  the  natural  or  crowned  teeth,  as  they  tend  to  embed  them- 
selves in  the  soft  tissues  and  create  inflammation. 

If  the  bite  be  only  slightly  raised  by  plates,  this  embedding  will 
cause  a  return  to  the  original  condition.  Neither  must  too  great  a 
strain  be  placed  upon  supporting  teeth  (see  Overwork  of  Teeth). 

In  case  of  hypersensitivity,  Robinson's  remedy,  silver  nitrate, 
nitric  acid,  or  the  actual  (hot  burnisher)  or  the  electrocautery  may 
be  effective;  if  not,  the  areas  should  be  excavated  and  filled,  or,  if 
necessary,  the  pulp  should  be  devitalized. 

If  the  abrasion  be  caused  by  tobacco  its  use  should  be  stopped. 

A  difficult  class  of  cases  to  treat  is  found  in  those  highly  nervous 
individuals  who  grit  their  teeth  during  sleep.  It  is  probable  and 
reasonable  that  this  cause  alone  may  serve  to  explain  abrasions  trace- 
able to  no  other  source.  The  cure  of  such  cases  as  these  could  only 
be  possible  through  the  wearing  at  night  of  some  modified  form  of 
interdental  splint.  Arnone  has  described  a  simple  vulcanite  splint 
for  the  lower  teeth  to  open  the  molars  about  one-sixteenth  of  an 
inch  and  the  incisors  one-half  inch.  This  he  calls  "the  insulator," 
and  is  to  be  vulcanized  at  160°  C.  It  is  to  have  the  upper  surface 
rounded  (Fig.  280).  He  also  describes  "the  paraglossus,"  a  double 
vulcanite  splint  made  in  one  piece  to  be  inserted  by  bruxomaniacs 
during  sleep,  or  by  epileptics  during  the  forewarning  "aura,"  if 
present,  to  prevent  grinding  or  tongue  biting.-  The  cases  naturally 
indicate  the  medicinal  use  of  a  bromide  before  retiring,  unless  the 
causes  can  be  discovered  and  removed. 

If  such  gritting  be  present  in  children,  the  evidences  of  irritable 

I  Dental  Cosmos,  1908,  p.  17.  2  Ibid.,  p.  924. 


296 


AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 


bladder,  due  to  hyperacidity  of  the  urine  or  of  rectal  parasites,  should 
be  sought  and  treated.  The  urine  may  be  rendered  alkaline  by  the 
use  of  potassium  salts,  and  kept  so  by  restriction  to  a  largely  vegetable 
diet.  Belladonna  may  be  used  to  reduce  vesical  irritability.  Rectal 
parasites  may  be  removed  by  the  use  of  vermifuges,  or,  occasionally, 
by  rectal  injections. 


Fia.  280 


Fig.  281 


The  "insulator."     (Arnone.) 


The   "paraglossus."       The    metal  groove   shown 
relates  to  another  method  of  construction. 


RESORPTION  OF  ENAMEL 


Fig.  282 


Definition. — Resorption  of  enamel  is  the  removal  of  enamel  sub- 
stance by  soft  tissue  containing  osteoclasts. 

Occurrence. — It   occurs   externally   only   in   impacted   teeth   sur- 
rounded, at  least  in  part,  by  irritated  tissue,  and  internally  very 

rarely  after    resorption  of    dentin    by  the 
pulpi  (Fig.  282).     (See  Pulpitis.) 

Such  tissue  is  found  in  dermoid  cysts, 
and  causes  the  resorption  of  teeth.  (See 
Fig.  32.) 

Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. — Osteo- 
clasts approximate  the  enamel  as  they  do 
cementum,  decalcify  and  resorb  it.  The 
dentin  is  next  attacked.  There  result 
irregular  excavations  (Howship's  lacunae) 
and  white  or  discolored  areas  of  evident  slight  decalcification 
of  the  enamel.  A  deposition  of  bone  into  the  area  may  occur. ^ 
The  process  is  probably  the  result  of  a  non-septic  inflammation,  as 
in  the  case  of  root  resorption.    (See  Interstitial  Gingivitis.) 

The  enamel  may  be  resorbed  from  its  internal  surface  after  the 
resorption  of  dentin  by  the  pulp  (see  Chapter  XVII),  and,  as  shown 


Impacted  cuspid  with  resorp- 
tion of  enamel  and  a  hemato- 
genic calculuc.     (Miller.) 


'  Hopewell-Smith:  Histology  and  Pathohistology  of  the  Teeth. 


2  Ibid, 


EROSION 


297 


by  Woods,  may  be  filled  in  with  adventitious  material  of  a  strueture 
resembling  cementum. 

Treatment. — Should  the  disease  by  chance  occur  upon  a  tooth 
which  later  has  been  drawn  into  place,  the  area  may  be  filled; 
otherwise  it  has  only  a  pathological  interest. 


EROSION 

Definition. — Erosion  of  the  teeth  is  a  term  applied  to  the  chemical 
or  chemicomechanical  destruction  of  the  hard  tissues  of  the  teeth 
in  such  a  manner  that  broad,  shallow,  smooth  excavations  are 
made  in  the  enamel  and  dentin  in  situations  free  from  attrition 
bv  mastication. 


Fig.  283 


Fig.  284 


Case  described  as  ero.sion.     (Darby.)  Case  described  as  erosion.    (Darby.) 

Fig.  285 


1 . 


A  case  of  erosion  (drawn  from  the  cast) :     B,  silhouette  from  a  perpendicular  line  through  the 
left  centrals,  upper  and  lower,  showing  the  loss  of  substance.     (Black.) 

Figs.  283,  284,  and  285  illustrate  the  characteristic  appearance  of 
areas  until  recently  supposed  to  be  due  to  the  chemical  or  chemico- 
mechanical solution  which  has  been  termed  erosion. 


298  AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 

The  demonstrations  of  Miller  with  reference  to  abrasion  of  labial 
and  lingual  surfaces  of  teeth  by  means  of  the  tooth-brush  and  gritty 
powders,  and  the  abrasion  of  approximal  surfaces  into  grooves  in 
animals  by  the  drawing  of  gritty  grasses,  etc.,  through  or  along  the 
teeth,  or  the  gnawing  of  bones  by  carnivora,  etc.,  have  cast  a  heavy 
cloud  of  doubt  upon  the  chemical  etiology  of  what  have  been  usually 
considered  as  erosions  due  to  the  action  of  acid  sodium  phosphate 
excreted  by  the  mucous  glands  of  the  lips  or  cheek. 

The  appearance  illustrated  in  Fig.  283,  lower  jaw,  and  in  Figs. 
284  and  285  might  readily,  in  the  light  of  Miller's  demonstrations, 
be  regarded  as  abrasion  if  the  causes  (brush  and  abrasive  powders) 
he  suggests  be  found;  but  the  graphic  outlines  shown  in  Fig.  283, 
upper  anterior  teeth,  seem  difficult  to  harmonize  with  the  abrasion 
theory.  The  cases  of  this  sort  are  rare  as  compared  with  the  others, 
the  editor  recalling  but  two  having  the  peculiar  undercut  mesial  and 
distal  erosion  borders.  The  spreading  of  brush  bristles,  as  the  brush 
is  brought  from  the  gum  down,  might  account  in  part  for  this,  but 
in  one  of  the  cases  mentioned  there  was  also  an  undercut  at  the 
incisal  border,  which  would  render  the  theory  difficult  of  application. 

One  case  was  in  a  man  aged  forty-five  years,  a  German  Jew, 
fond  of  wines,  beer,  etc.,  at  meals;  the  other  a  middle-aged  maiden 
lady  of  nervous  temperament,  with  whitening  hair,  slightly  wrinkled 
skin,  and  some  evidences  of  goutiness. 

According  to  Miller,  acids  or  acid  salts,  which  can  extract  calcium 
salts,  may  accelerate  the  wasting  process  provided  the  necessary 
mechanical  factor  works  with  it  and  wears  off  the  decalcified  tissue 
before  it  becomes  leathery,  when  wear  is  retarded.  Kirk  burnt 
asbestos  cloth,  treated  it  with  hydrochloric  acid,  neutralized  this 
with  ammonia,  washed  it  with  distilled  water,  and  again  subjected  it 
to  high  muffle  heat.  This  absorbent,  inorganic  cloth  he  applied  to 
buccal  glands  for  twenty  or  thirty  minutes  in  cases  of  erosion,  dis- 
solved the  mucus  obtained  in  distilled  water,  dialyzed  the  salts  out, 
and  examined  the  evaporated  residue  under  the  microscope  and  by 
reagents.  He  found  acid  sodium  phosphate  to  be  the  decalcifying 
agent  in  what  he  called  graphic  (hydroglyphic)  erosions  (Figs.  283 
and  284). 

Head^  found  by  experiment  with  a  1  to  20,000  solution  of  acid 
sodium  phosphate  in  water,  acting  in  the  incubator  at  body  temper- 
ature, that  superficial  decalcification  of  enamel  occurred  after  four- 
teen hours,  and  when  polished  off  it  again  decalcified  in  eight  hours, 
and  was  quite  superficially  decalcified  in  two  days;  that  a  5  per  cent., 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1907. 


EROSION  299 

2  per  cent.,  1  per  cent.,  and  1  to  oDO  solution  acted  under  similar 
conditions  in  seventeen  hours,  and  points  out  that  a  solution  of  1 
to  10,000  and  1  to  20,000  acid  sodium  phosphate  in  alkaline  saliva 
acted  after  eight  and  five  da\'s  only.  He  also  has  shown  that  enamel 
which  was  experimentally  slightly  decalcified  again  hardened  when 
placed  in  saliva  for  a  time.  He  was,  however,  unable  to  explain  the 
result.^ 

Miller  found  the  slowly  acting  acids  to  not  produce  such  decalci- 
fication as  to  retard  the  abrasive  action  of  brushing  with  a  10  per 
cent,  pumice.  Given,  then,  a  decided  production  of  acid  sodium 
phosphate  by  the  buccal  glands  in  contact  with  the  labial  surfaces 
of  teeth  (Kirk)  for  eight  hours  (the  period  of  sleeping,  and  Head's 
period  of  one  experiment,  see  above),  it  is  quite  reasonable  to  suppose 
that  an  undetermined  percentage  of  acid  sodium  phosphate  dissolved 
in  buccal  mucus,  which  in  total  has  an  acid  reaction  to  litmus  (Tru- 
man, Kirk,  and  others),  is  competent  to  produce  a  superficial  decal- 
cification, which  the  morning  brushing  will  remove.  This  repeated 
for  months  or  years  may  produce  the  effect  seen.  Brubaker,  in  1894, 
immersed  a  tooth  for  a  week  in  a  solution  of  acid  sodium  phosphate, 
subjecting  it  daily  to  tooth-brush  friction,  and  at  the  end  of  that 
time  spots  and  grooves  resembling  erosion  made  their  appearance. 

According  to  Head  and  Kirk,  the  acid  phosphate  does  not  attack 
the  enamel  so  as  to  roughen  it,  but  leaves  it  translucently  smooth  and 
white,  and  this  mildness  of  the  action  of  the  acid  sodium  phosphate 
is  just  the  action  that  would  make  smooth  erosion  with  a  minimum 
of  abrasion.     (See  Miller's  experiments,  p.  290.) 

Head  points  out  "  that  1  to  500  lactic  acid  in  water  will  decalcify 
enamel  in  thirty  minutes,  while  the  same  percentage  in  saliva  does 
not  do  so  in  fifteen  days,  but  that  the  inhibitory  effect  of  saliva  is 
overcome  when  the  lactic  acid  has  a  strength  of  1  per  cent."  The 
inhibitory  effect,  therefore,  seems  to  lie  in  the  relative  relations  of 
the  acid  and  alkaline  elements,  though  Head  has  shown  that  a  mix- 
ture of  1  per  cent,  solution  of  acid  sodium  phosphate  with  a  1  per 
cent,  solution  of  tribasic  sodium  phosphate,  which  is  capable  of 
turning  blue  litmus  red,  but  not  of  turning  red  litmus  blue,  placed 
the  acid  under  control  so  that  the  mixed  solution  did  not  corrode 
the  tooth  placed  in  it,  which  a  1  per  cent,  solution  of  acid  sodium 
phosphate  in  water  would  do. 

Regarding  the  production  of  the  abnormal  exudate  from  the  labial 
glands,  Kirk  argues  that  in  diseases  of  suboxidation  (resulting  in 
hyperacid  conditions  such  as  gout  and  rheumatism)  the  blood  is 

»  Dental  Cosmos,  1910. 


300  AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 

loaded  with  carbonic  acid  as  a  result  of  faulty  metabolism.  In  the 
epithelium  of  the  kidneys  the  mass  action  of  the  carbonic  acid  upon 
the  sodium  phosphate  of  the  blood  normally  produces  acid  sodium 
phosphate,  which  is  eliminated  in  the  urine,  and  sodium  bicarbonate, 
which  is  returned  to  the  blood  and  maintains  its  alkalinity  (see  p.  90), 
according  to  the  following  reaction :  HNa2P04  +  H2CO3  =  H2NaP04 
+  HNaCOs.  If  the  amount  of  carbonic  acid  be  of  only  normal  pro- 
duction, this  action  will  result  in  only  a  normal  amount  of  acid 
sodium  phosphate  in  the  urine  and  perspiration;  but  if  in  excess  and 
not  cared  for  by  the  lungs,  skin,  and  kidneys,  the  buccal  glands 
may  also  take  up  the  action  and  excrete  acid  sodium  phosphate 
in  an  identically  similar  manner.  The  acid  calcium  phosphate  is 
also  found  in  the  saliva  at  times,  and  can  be  formed  in  a  similar  way, 
the  calcium  phosphate  being  substituted  for  sodium  phosphate  as 
the  basic  salt. 

.  Kirk  states  that  in  the  saliva  of  arthritics  there  are  frequently 
found  acid  salts,  such  as  acid  sodium  phosphate  and  acid  calcium 
phosphate.  The  excessive  amount  of  carbonic  acid  accounts  for  the 
excessive  loss  of  phosphate  in  the  kidneys  seen  in  arthritics,  as  the 
acid  sodium  phosphate  and  acid  calcium  phosphate  require  for  their 
production  the  basic  phosphates,  and  the  elimination  of  those  con- 
tinuously produces  a  phosphaturia  until  depletion  of  phosphates 
occur,  when  their  amount  lessens  and  other  salts  appear.    (See  p.  90.) 

In  a  paper  published  in  1902,  Kirk^  describes  polariscopic  obser- 
vations made  upon  saliva  from  a  patient  aiSicted  with  a  general 
erosive  wasting  of  the  teeth.  The  patient  had  had  attacks  of  inflam- 
matory rheumatism,  and  suffered  from  obstinate  constipation, 
periodic  attacks  of  migraine,  headaches,  and  neuralgia,  and  his 
saliva  was  most  acid  at  night.  The  saliva  was  dialyzed,  the 
dialysate  concentrated,  and  found  to  contain  lactic  acid  salts, 
calcium  lactophosphate,  calcium  lactate,  and  magnesium  lacto- 
phosphate  (Fig.  286). 

In  view  of  these  two  classes  of  cases.  Kirk  has  suggested  that 
erosion  cpses  may  be  of  two  kinds:  (1)  A  general  erosion,  in  which 
all  of  the  surfaces  are  uniformly  involved,  and  in  which  lactic  acid  is 
the  solvent  agent;  and  (2)  cases  distinctly  due  to  an  exudate  from 
abnormal  buccal  glands  or  gland,  the  acidity  of  which  is  due  to  either 
acid  sodium  phosphate  or  acid  calcium  phosphate.  Talbot^  claims 
that  the  systemic  acidosis  produced  by  various  diseases  and  by  fruit 
eating  in  excess  is  responsible  for  the  acidity  of  the  buccal  mucus 
and  saliva,  and  for  pulp  and  gingival  degeneration  and  resorption 

1  Items  of  Interest.  2  Dental  Cosmos,  December,  1907. 


EROSION 


301 


through  a  process  of  artery  and  nerve-end  degeneration.  A  decrease 
in  the  normal  acidity  of  the  urine  (below  30)  indicates  renal  insuffi- 
ciency, and  the  difference  indicates  the  amount  retained  in  the 
system.  An  excessive  acidity  of  the  urine  indicates  excessively 
imperfect  oxidation.  This  expression  of  the  cause  is  quite  compatible 
with  the  view  of  Kirk,  and  both  are  views  of  general  malnutrition. 
(See  p.  87,  etc.) 


Fig.  286 

•^ 

^■^•t>K 

%    ,4^^Vi^P^ 

^H 

B^" 

^m 

lli%/ii 

Kv      >|hHH 

^wfmi  \ 

^^^^1 

41(   /  '  ■  ^ 

.^  '^-^^J- 

Crystallization  of  salts  from  dialysate  of  saliva  from  erosion  case,  showing  two  typal  forms. 
Large  crystal  is  calcium  lactate.     (Kirk.) 

The  disease  appears  to  affect  females  more  than  males;  appears 
usually  after  thirty  years  of  age,  and  often  some  history  of  goutiness, 
arthritis,  or  rheumatism  can  be  obtained.  Miller  denied  the  presence 
of  this  disease  in  the  gouty,  but  since  his  observation  the  editor 
has  had  several  patients  hold  up  gouty  fingers  when  questioned  as 
to  a  possible  gout  as  a  cause  of  the  erosions  present. 

Erosion  Due  to  Extraneous  Acids. — Miller^  describes  a  case 
reported  by  Davenport,^  of  Paris,  of  a  healthy  man  whose  teeth  were 
eroded  and  worn  away  by  acid  vapors  within  six  months  of  entering 
a  factory  devoted  to  the  manufacture  of  nitric  and  sulphuric  acids. 
This  effect  was  observed  upon  the  other  workmen  also,  and  also  in 
workmen  in  a  dynamite  factory  in  which  these  acids  are  used.  The 
teeth  were  first  set  on  edge.  Miller  suspended  a  tooth  in  a  flask  con- 
taining equal  parts  of  nitric  and  sulphuric  acid,  and  found  that  the 
vapors  attacked  not  only  the  inorganic  but  the  organic  portion  as 


'  Dental  Cosmos,  1907. 


2  Transactions  American  Dental  Association,  1881. 


302  AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 

well,  so  that  upon  slight  rubbing  with  a  soft  tooth-brush  the  tissue 
was  worn  away,  leaving  a  hard,  polished  surface.    Miller  states  that 

Fig.  287 


Another   field   from   the   same   specimen   as   Fig.   286,    also   showing   two   typal   forms. 
Large  crystal  is  calcium  lactate.    (Kirk.) 

Fig.  288 


^M 

^S^^HB 

^^3} 

^^^■■^■■MMlB|taBr«''  ^'i^* 

pR^iH 

^^^&^ 

mmH 

^Bfi^  Tf'^.'  -\ )  .-4,'^^^^^^^H 

^H 

Crystallization  from  solution  of  a  tooth  in  1  per  cent,  lactic  acid.    Large  crystal  is 
calcium  lactate.    (Kirk.) 

the  vapor  is  nitrogen  peroxid,  N2O4.    Lemon  juice,  even  in  lemonade, 
and  vinegar  will  produce  this  effect  of  setting  on  edge,  which  undoubt- 


EROSION  303 

edly  is  due  to  the  chemical  solution  of  a  small  portion  of  the  enamel, 
probably  the  interprismatic  cement  substance,  leaving  the  enamel 
globules  a  trifle  higher,  this  soon  being  worn  oflF  to  a  general  level 
again. 

Guilford^  mentions  a  case  of  erosion  caused  by  shaddock  (grape 
fruit)  eating.  Tomes  cites  cases  of  erosion  caused  by  lemon  and 
grape  sucking.  The  pitting  of  grapes  has  produced  cases  of  peculiar 
erosion  of  the  labial  and  lingual  surfaces  and  incisal  edges  of  anterior 
teeth.  In  one  case  the  incisal  anchorage  of  an  approximal  gold 
filling  was  almost  worn  away  upon  the  tooth  most  used  to  pit  the 
grape.  Unquestionably,  other  fruit  juices  might  act  in  a  similar 
manner  if  the  acid  has  an  affinity  for  tooth  structure,  and  the  expo- 
sure to  its  action  is  sufficiently  lengthy  and  often  enough  repeated 
to  produce  effects. 

The  Effects  of  Erosion. — Tubular  calcification  and  secondary  dentin 
are  produced  together  with  atrophic  changes  in  the  pulp,  due  to 
secondary  dentin  formation.  Gold  and  amalgam  fillings  are  left  as 
raised  islands  by  the  wasting  of  the  tooth  around  them,  though 
^filler  has  shown  that  associated  abrasions  may  cause  their  wear, 
which  acids  evidently  can  hardly  be  expected  to  do. 

Scratches  shown  as  lines  and  Baume's  clefts  are  explainable  upon 
the  theory  of  abrasion  by  brush  and  powders;  though  usually 
transverse,  there  are  sometimes  vertical  lines.  The  stimulation  of 
the  dentinal  fibrillse  by  acid  or  mechanical  stimuli  may  cause 
great  hypersensitivity;  as  a  rule,  however,  this  is  not  pronounced 
(Fig.  289). 

The  anterior  teeth  are  sometimes  shortened  so  that  their  occlusion 
is  lost.  Kirk's  lactic  acid  case  was  of  this  order.  The  carious  process 
may  become  implanted  upon  an  eroded  area,  or  at  some  part  of  it, 
usually  the  cervical  portion.  Whether  this  is  initiated  by  a  decal- 
cifying process  due  to  the  acid  sodium  phosphate,  or  uncleanliness 
due  to  a  cessation  in  the  intensity  of  the  brushing,  ip  not  so  clear  as 
it  formerly  seemed,  when  it  was  thought  due  to  a  temporary  cessation 
in  production  of  acid  sodium  phosphate,  which  was  regarded  as 
immunizing  the  part  to  caries.  In  any  event  the  stain  of  iodin  is 
taken,  showing  the  presence  of  bacterial  films  at  the  point  showing 
caries. 

Diagnosis. — The  presence  of  the  peculiar  excavations,  the  hyper- 
sensitivity of  dentin  if  any,  and  the  acid  character  of  the  mucus 
from  the  follicles,  as  shown  upon  test  with  litmus  paper  made  just 
after  rising,^  are  diagnostic  signs.     Kirk's  method  of  obtaining  the 

•  Lectures.  2  Truman. 


304 


AFFECTIONS  OF   THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 


acid  may  be  used.     (See  p.  298.)    The  acid  reaction  is  not  marked 
during  the  day.     The  existence  of  erosion  has  become  a  valuable 


Fig.  289 


F  C- 


S  D 


EC 


■^ 


Sagittal  action  of  human  incisor  prepared  by  Hopewell-Smith's  process,  and  stained  with 
hematoxylin:  E  C,  erosion  cavity,  on  surface  of  which  can  be  seen  Baume's  clefts;  P,  pulp 
tissue  undergoing  degenerative  changes;  F  C,  atrophic  odontoblasts;  S  D,  secondary  dentin. 
X  45.     (Hopewell-Smith.) 

diagnostic  sign  for  the  general  practitioner  in  his  search  for  the 
nature  of  masked  maladies  from  which  patients  frequently  suffer. 


EROSION  ,  305 

Obscure  gout  has  been  pointed  out  through  dental  indications  alone, 
where  the  practitioner  had  before  been  baffled  in  his  diagnosis. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  erosion  divides  itself  under  two 
heads:  Prophylactic  and  restorative;  the  prophylactic  is  again 
divided  into  local  and  general  treatment.  The  problem  of  eradicating 
the  cause  of  the  disorder  lies  in  a  correction  of  the  morbid  glandular 
secretion.  It  is  evident  that  if  the  irritation  and  altered  secretion  of 
these  glands  be  due  to  some  systemic  cause,  a  disease  of  suboxidation, 
notably  an  affection  of  the  gout  order,  a  cure  of  the  local  disturbance 
involves  the  cure  of  the  underlying  systemic  cause.  Talbot^  reduces 
the  acidity  to  normal  with  sodium  bicarbonate  (10  to  30  grains),  or 
sodium  chlorid  (45  grains),  after  meals;  or  sodium  phosphate  morning 
and  evening.  One-tenth  grain  of  calomel  is  given  each  two  hours,  for 
a  time,  to  cleanse  the  bowel  and  stimulatie  the  liver.  Eight  to  ten 
glasses  of  water  should  be  taken  daily.  A  practically  antigout  diet 
and  hygiene  are  suggested  to  increase  oxidation  and  elimination. 
Local  treatment  of  the  gums  is  necessary.     (See  pages  91  and  99.) 

Kirk,-  working  to  the  end  of  reducing  acid  buccal  secretion  uses, 
three  times  a  day,  yi^  grain  pure  phosphorus  in  olive  oil  in  gelatin 
capsules,  along  with  a  very  mild  laxative,  and  when  the  urine 
shows  a  deficiency  of  phosphates,  25  to  30  grains  per  diem  of  glycero- 
phosphate of  lime  and  soda  are  given. 

Next  in  importance  to  the  prevention  of  acid  formation  is  its 
neutralization.  This  implies  the  application  of  alkalies  or  the  use 
of  alkaline  mouth  washes.  The  greatest  production  of  acid  occurring 
during  the  night,  applications  of  adhesive  masses  of  alkaline  sub- 
stances are  made  to  the  teeth  at  night.  The  principal  of  these  is 
prepared  chalk,  calcium  carbonate;  it  is  rubbed  over  the  labial  faces 
of  the  teeth  and  between  them,  before  retiring.  It  remains  in 
sufficient  amount  to  neutralize  any  acid  substances  coming  in  contact 
with  it. 

Excellent  results,  as  to  the  checking  of  the  progress  of  the  decal- 
cification, are  obtained  from  the  use  of  magnesium  hydrate  held  in 
suspension  in  water,  or  milk  of  magnesia.  Kirk  found  that  three 
hours  after  the  use  of  a  teaspoonful  of  the  milk  of  magnesia  the 
saliva  maintained  an  alkaline  reaction.  It  should  be  used  at  night 
as  a  wash,  after  cleansing  the  teeth,  the  residue  to  be  left  as  an 
alkaline  coating  upon  the  teeth.  The  chalk  and  milk  of  magnesia 
may  be  mixed  into  a  paste.  If  the  preparation  be  disagreeable,  a 
few  drops  of  essential  oil  may  be  added.  (See  Caries.)  The  abrasive 
factor  and  its  possibilities  as  causes  of  apparent  erosions  suggest  the 

•  Dental  Cosmos,   December,  1907.  ^  Dental  Cosmos,  1908,  p.  811. 

20 


306  AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 

avoidance  of  any  strongly  abrasive  powders,  or,  perhaps,  a  confine- 
ment to  the  use  of  castile  soap  and  a  soft  brush. 

It  has  been  suggested  by  Ottolengui^  that  in  the  earlier  stages  an 
impression  and  plaster  model  of  the  teeth  be  made  for  comparison 
at  future  dates,  so  that  the  progress  of  the  erosion  may  be  noted. 

Restorative  Treatment. — If  the  eroded  areas  be  excavated  and 
filled,  the  erosion  may  proceed  about  the  edges  of  the  fillings.  It 
may,  however,  take  some  time  for  the  erosion  to  become  as  deep  as 
the  original  area. 

If  metal  be  used,  the  margins  must  be  extended  to  avoid  this  if 
possible.  Metal  is  very  unsightly  in  the  locations  peculiar  to  erosion, 
so  that  porcelain  inlays,  which  the  locations  favor,  are  indicated.  In 
their  place  silicate  cement  fillings  may  be  used,  but  must  be  constantly 
kept  in  a  good  condition  of  surface  or  they  become  unsightly. 

The  generally  distributed  erosions  are  only  amenable  to  the  prophy- 
lactic treatment  (except  by  crowning  when  teeth  are  largely  wasted 
away),  and  slight  erosions  are  best  treated  in  the  same  manner. 


MECHANICAL  INJURY  OF  THE  TEETH 

The  enamel  is  a  material  much  more  brittle  and  inelastic  than  the 
dentin,  and,  therefore,  less  capable  of  resisting  a  parting  strain. 
Under  ordinary  circumstances,  however,  well-formed  enamel  dis- 
tributed over  sound  dentin  resists  all  the  ordinary  forces  brought 
to  bear  upon  it. 

Under  abnormal  conditions,  however,  enamel  appears  to  fracture 
readily  in  two  directions:  (1)  Along  the  line  of  the  interprismatic 
cement  substance  between  the  prisms  themselves,  and  (2)  along  the 
line  of  cement  substance  between  the  globules.  The  possibility  of 
reference  of  all  cases  into  one  or  other  class  indicates  that  the 
cement  substance  is  naturally  a  tissue  relatively  weak. 

Dentin  may  apparently  fracture  in  any  plane. 

Causes. — The  teeth  may  be  mechanically  injured  by  (1)  the  action 
of  abrg-sion,  which  mechanically  wears  away  the  teeth;  (2)  by  the 
application  of  undue  force  during  mastication  or  by  the  improper 
use  of  cutting,  filling,  or  extracting  implements;  (3)  by  blows  of 
some  sort  delivered  either  directly  upon  the  teeth  or  through  forcible 
closure  of  the  jaws,  as  the  result  of  a  shock  or  blow  delivered  upon 
the  rim  of  the  jaw. 

Aside  from  blows  or  bites  of  sufficient  force  to  break  sound  teeth, 

'  Methods  of  Filling  Teeth. 


MECHANICAL  INJURY  OF  THE  TEETH  307 

it  is  rare  to  find  teeth  fractured  without  a  previously  acquired 
weakness  in  the  tooth  itself.     The  causes  of  weakness  are  several. 

During  the  course  of  abrasion  the  enamel  is  worn  to  a  sharp  edge, 
which  is  readily  fractured.  Oblique  splintering  occurs  in  the  line  of 
cement  substance  between  the  globules.  The  enamel  edges  become 
ragged  and  further  fracture  is  imminent.  Thread  biting  produces  a 
similar  but  localized  condition  (Fig.  293). 

Caries  by  removing  the  natural  support  of  the  enamel  renders  this 
brittle  material  subject  to  fracture  in  ordinary  use.  The  removal  of 
dentin  from  both  the  mesial  and  distal  sides  of  a  crown  by  caries — 
e.  g.,  a  bicuspid — renders  the  buccal  or  lingual  section  liable  to 
fracture  as  the  result  of  a  strain  delivered  between  the  cusps  and 
tending  to  wedge  them  apart.  This  accident  is  liable  to  occur  in 
proportion  to  the  lessening  of  the  healthy  dentin  between  the  cavities 
or  beneath  the  occlusal  fissure.  An  upper  incisor  so  decayed  would 
naturally  have  its  labial  section  fractured  away,  particularly  its 
incisal  half. 

The  exposure  of  the  dentin  of  a  devitalized  tooth  to  the  saliva 
seems  to  weaken  it. 

AMiile  these  principles  are  correct,  it  is  surprising  to  what  extent 
enamel  undermined  by  caries  may  retain  its  integrity  if  properly 
supported  by  an  adhesive  oxyphosphate  of  zinc. 

The  packing  of  cohesive  gold  against  frail  enamel  walls  renders 
them  liable  to  direct  fracture,  or  if  packed  so  as  to  permit  leakage 
the  wall  is  further  weakened  by  lactic  acid  produced  upon  its  under 
surface.  Again,  the  improperly  prepared  cavity  margin  may  be 
comminuted,  a  condition  favoring  the  recurrence  of  caries. 

Gold  does  not  support  enamel  walls  so  well  as  oxyphosphate.  If 
built  over  comparatively  frail  w^alls  in  such  a  manner  as  to  protect 
them  from  direct  impact,  they  stand  fairly  well.  Inlays  of  gold 
serve  a  useful  purpose  in  this  connection. 

Amalgam  by  its  attendant  leakage  permits  gradual  weakening  of 
frail  enamel  walls.  The  use  of  a  cement  lining,  as  in  combination 
fillings,  is  distinctly  useful  both  as  a  support  and  prevention  of 
leakage. 

Johnson^  explains  fracture  after  filling,  where  the  enamel  walls 
were  previously  undermined  but  not  fractured,  upon  the  theory  that 
previous  to  filling  the  pain  attendant  upon  mastication  brings  about 
a  temporary  disuse  of  the  diseased  tooth.  After  filling,  comfort 
ensues,  the  patient  again  uses  the  tooth,  and  fracture  occurs. 

The  fractures  caused  by  blows  present  features  of  interest.     An 

I  Principles  and  Practice  of  Filling  Teeth, 


308 


AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 


Fig.  290 


actual  splitting  off  of  one  of  the  angular  portions  of  a  crbwn  may 
occur,  or  a  fracture  may  be  seen  resembling  one  sometimes  seen  in 
a  pane  of  glass  the  result  of  a  light  blow  from  a  stone. 

In  the  latter  case  the  cracks  radiate  from  a  central  crushed  spot, 
and  may  involve  only  the  enamel.  A  large  section  of  an  incisor  may 
be  fractured  away  and  include  the  labio-incisal  third  and  all  the 
lingual  section  of  the  crown  and  a  small,  ob- 
liquely fractured  portion  of  the  root.  This 
results  from  a  blow — the  exact  opposite  usually 
results  from  occlusal  strain. 

Biting  upon  hard  objects  has  caused  the 
fracture  of  sound  bicuspids  and  molars,  the 
line  extending  mesodistally  between  the  cusps, 
the  fracture  being  oblique  or  through  the 
crown  and  between  the  roots.  Thus  a  molar 
or  first  bicuspid  may  be  divided  into  two 
sections,  each  supported  by  a  root  or  roots 
(Figs.  291  and  292). 

Fracture  and  repair  of  enamel  after  eruption 
is  not,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  known.  Cases  of 
fracture  and  repair  of  dentin  have  occurred. 

A  case  of  such  repair  by  adventitious  (sec- 
ondary) dentin  has  been  recorded  by  Tomes,^ 
and  Fig.  294  illustrates  a  fracture  of  the  root 
well  below  the  gum  line.    The  root  is  girdled 
by  the  line  of  fracture,  but  the  dentin  has  been 
repaired,  and  the  attachment  is  firm.    The  line 
evidently  indicates  a  repair  from  the  pulp  side. 
A  case  analogous  to  healing  of  a  comminuted 
fracture  of  a  central  has  been  reported.^ 
Fig.  295  illustrates  a  peculiar  fracture  due  to  an  unknown  cause. 
In  a  case  reported  by  Val.  Macdonald,^  of  a  similar  fracture,  the 
pulp  maintained  its  vitality  in  both  crown  and  root  for  two  years, 
and  until  the  tooth  was  extracted.    There  was  between  crown  and 
root  a  growth  of  soft  tissue  connected  with  both  the  pulp  and  the 
pericementum,  and  considered  by  Macdonald  to  be  pulpal  in  origin 
(Fig.  290). 

In  an  experimental  implantation  of  a  dried  tooth  filed  to  fit  the 
socket  of  a  previously  extracted  tooth  union  of  osseous  nature  took 
place,  and  a  slight  fracture  of  the  root  was  reunited  by  osseous 
deposition.^ 

'  A  System  of  Dental  Surgery.     (See  Secondary  Dentin.) 

2  Watson:  Dental  Record,  May,  1906.  ^  Dental  Cosmos,  January,  1908. 

*  Mendel  Joseph  and  Dessonville:  L'Odontologie.     (See  Cosmos,  1906,  p.  1060.) 


Fracture  of  two  years' 
standing  with  pulp  vital 
and  a  lateral  tissue  growth 
resembling  granulation  tis- 
sue covering  the  root  face, 
would  explain  how  the 
case.  Fig.  294,  occurred. 


MECHANICAL  INJURY  OF   THE   TEETH 


309 


Longitudinal  cracks  in  the  enamel  of  otherwise  fairly  sound  teeth 
occur,  the  line  running  from  the  labial  edge  of  the  gum  to  the  incisal 
edge  of  an  incisor  (Fig.  293),  or  from  the  fissure  of  a  bicuspid  along 
the  enamel  to  the  summit  of  a  cusp,  or  from  the  cervical  margin  of 
an  approximal  cavity  to  the  gum  margin. 


Fio.  291 


Fig.  292 


Oblique  fracture. 


Fracture  involving  the  bifurcation  of  the  roots. 


These  lines  probably  indicate  that  force  has  been  applied  sufficient 
to  cause  a  parting  of  the  enamel  cap  without  loss  of  continuity  in 
the  more  elastic  dentin.  Dryness  from  mouth  breathing  may  be  a 
possible  cause  of  cracks,  and  the  contact  of  excessively  hot  or  cold 
substances  has  been  advanced  as  an  hypothesis,  but  mostly  they  are 
found  in  cases  of  overworked  teeth.  In  some  cases  the  enamel 
cracks  may  be  very  numerous.    These  cracks  take  up  stains,  and  at 


Fig.  293 


Fig.  294 


Abrasion  associated  with  fracture  of  the  enamel. 


Root  fracture  and  reattachment  by  adven- 
titious dentin.    (From  a  specimen.) 


times  in  the  preparation  of  cavities  cause  annoyance  by  centring 
the  chisel  and  perpetuating  a  defect  necessitating  the  removal  of 
much  tooth  tissue  or  the  risking  of  future  caries. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  fractures  involves  considerations 
purely  operative,  and  depends  upon  the  nature  of  the  case.    Rough- 


310 


AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 


ened,  abraded  enamel  margins  are  best  rounded  with  carborundum 
stones  or  coarse  sand-paper  disks,  and  should  be  polished.  Some- 
times a  deep  serration  must  be  filled;  corners  are  to  be  neatly  rounded 
or  restored  to  contour  by  fillings  or  inlays,  or  at  times  the  entire 
incisal  edge  is  to  be  ground  away  and  the  tooth  drawn  down  and 
retained  until  firm. 

In  case  of  an  uncompleted  tooth  root,  and  the  pulp  not  quite 
exposed,  a  pure  gold  all-metal  crown  is  to  be  adapted  with  or  without 
grinding,  according  to  the  future  requirements,  and  the  root  com- 
pletion awaited.  If  necessary,  the  capping  of  the  pulp  may  be 
attempted  as  well  for  the  same  purpose. 

After  root  formation  the  pulp  may  be  destroyed  if  desired.  If 
conservation  of  the  pulp  be  not  possible,  the  pulp  may  be  prepared 
for  removal  by  pressure  anesthesia  or  cocain  injection,  and  the  root 
filled.    (See  Root  Fillings.) 


Fig.  295 


Fig.  296 


Fracture  with  dovetails  for  amalgam. 
(Evans.) 

Fig.  297 


Fracture  of  portion  of  upper  cuspid,  cause 
unknown.    (Skiagraph  by  E.   Ballard  Lodge.) 


Oblique  fracture  of  root,  with  pin  and 
amalgam  for  restoration,  ready  for  crowning. 
Artificial  Crown  and  Bridge-work.     (Evans.) 


Fractures  involving  the  cementum  demand  either  the  removal  of 
the  loosened  piece  and  the  construction  of  a  special  crown  retaining 
a  portion  of  the  natural  crown  as  a  base,  or  the  removal  of  all  of  the 
natural  crown  and  the  mounting  of  a  substitute  upon  the  root,  or  the 
parts  may  be  banded,  or  in  case  of  molars  an  all-metal  crown  may 
be  mounted.  In  some  cases  screws  or  a  staple  must  be  placed  in  the 
roots  and  the  parts  restored  with  amalgam  (Figs.  297  and  298).  If 
the  loosened  portion  be  retained,  thin  oxychlorid  of  zinc  is  to  be 
introduced  into  the  joint  after  appropriate  sterilization,  and  before 
the  gold  crown  or  holding  device  is  set.  It  distributes  itself  by  capil- 
larity if  the  joint  is  slightly  opened  once  or  twice.    Should  the  pulp 


MECHANICAL  INJURY  OF  THE  TEETH 


311 


be  vital  at  the  time  of  fracture,  it  will  become  inflamed,  and  should 
be  removed  by  the  pressure  method  if  possible.  To  accomplish  this 
the  parts  must  be  lashed  together  and  an  occlusal  opening  made. 
After  devitalization  the  parts  may  be  given  a  dove-tailed  form,  and 
be  temporarily  held  together,  internally,  by  amalgam,  or  a  circular 
band  may  be  inlaid  in  a  trephined  groove  by  Cigrand's  method  (Fig. 
300^).  The  cuspid  root  shown  in  Fig.  298  had  an  amalgam  filling 
in  its  mesial  side  until  after  the  cap  and  band  were  constructed.  A 
temporary  crown  caused  the  wall  to  fracture  out,  so  the  plan  was 
devised  of  drilling  holes  in  the  root  side,  tapping  them  with  the  How 


Fig.  29S 


Fig.  299 


Screws  placed  into  a  fractured  root  to  enable 
the  building  up  of  amalgam  around  a  waxed 
pin  attached  to  a  gold  cap.  This  root  is  one 
of  four  piers  of  a  nine-tooth  bridge. 


Staple  used  to  unite  portions  of  a 
fractured  root.     (Evans.) 


Fig.  300 


Cigrand's  method  of  trephining  a  root  faoe  and  inlaying  a   metal  ring;  also  u-seful   to  prevent 
fracture  when  plain  dowel  crowns  are  used. 

tap  and  placing  iridioplatinum  screws  on  both  sides  of  the  pulp  canal 
groove.  The  pin  and  cap  were  then  waxed  slightly,  placed  in  posi- 
tion, amalgam  built  in  and  when  hard  the  wax  was  melted  by  heating 
the  cap  and  pin,  which  were  withdrawn.  After  thorough  hardening 
the  bridge- work  was  proceeded  with.  Fortunately  the  root  received 
its  strain  from  the  lingual  side,  w^hich  was  largely  intact.  The 
requirements  vary,  and  must  have  due  consideration. 


1  For  certain  crowning  devices  in  cases  of  fracture,  see  Evans'  Crown  and  Bridge-work,  and 
Goslee's  Principles  and  Practice  of  Crowning  Teeth. 


CHAPTER  X 

STAINS  OF  THE   ENAMEL  AND   DENTIN 

Certain  stains  are  found  upon  the  surface  of  the  enamel  and  some- 
times penetrating  its  substance.  The  calculus  sometimes  located 
upon  the  enamel  is  not  included  in  this  consideration,  though  the 
calculus  itself  sometimes  becomes  stained.  So  far  as  they  have 
been  observed,  stains  may  be  divided  into  those  of  metallic  and 
non-metallic  origin. 

METALLIC  STAINS 

Metallic  stains  are  those  which  are  caused  by  the  direct  depo- 
sition of  minute  particles  of  metal,  inhaled  by  workers  in  the  metals, 
in  the  organic  collections  upon  the  surfaces  of  the  teeth,  or  taken 
into  the  mouth  in  various  solutions  of  drugs. 

Copper. — Miller  found  that  "workers  in  copper,  brass,  or  bronze 
all  presented  a  green  stain  upon  the  upper  teeth,  showing  every  shade 
of  green  and  bluish  green  up  to  bluish  purple.  The  latter  color  pre- 
dominated in  rooms  where  phosphor-bronze  was  worked."  Attention 
is  called  to  th«  fact  that  "trumpeters  very  often  show  a  discolor- 
ation of  the  teeth."  Similar  discolorations  are  sometimes  noted  in 
proximity  to  copper  amalgam  fillings.  The  presence  of  copper  was 
demonstrated  in  scrapings  from  some  of  the  stained  teeth,  imparting 
a  characteristic  green  color  to  a  Bunsen  flame. 

Iron. — "Workers  in  iron  presented  stains  of  a  brownish  color." 
As  pointed  out,  "the  green  salts  of  iron  under  the  conditions  found 
in  the  mouth  would  become  oxidized  and  brownish  in  color."  The 
administration  of  iron  salts,  medicinally,  is  believed  to  produce  black 
discolorations,  iron  sulphid  being  formed.  "Iron  deposits  are  usual 
in  the  border-line  between  carious  and  normal  dentin."  It  is  usually 
believed  that  the  brownish  spots  frequently  seen  in  connection  with 
incipient  or  arrested  caries  of  the  underlying  enamel  are  due  to  the 
formation  of  iron  salts. 

Manganese. — Manganese  was  found  in  the  dark  colored  deposits 
upon  the  teeth  of  herbivorous  animals,  but  as  yet  not  upon  those  of 
man.  The  investigator  stated  "  that  alkaline  saliva  may  be  necessary 
to  the  production  of  these  deposits."    Manganese  stains  may  occur 


METALLIC  STAINS  313 

from  the  use  of  potassium  permanganate,  manganic  oxid  being 
formed. 

Mercury. — In  cases  of  prolonged  mercurial  administration  the 
deposits  (black)  upon  the  teeth  may  give  the  reaction  for  mercury, 
"  If  mercury  and  potassium  iodid  are  given  together,  the  green  iodid 
of  mercury  might  be  present  upon  the  teeth."  It  is  probable  in  these 
cases  that  another  discoloring  substance  may  form.  There  is  in 
mercurialism  more  or  less  gingivitis;  the  gums  are  swollen  and 
spongy,  bleeding  readily.  "More  or  less  putrefactive  decomposi- 
tion of  the  albuminous  matter  present  upon  the  teeth  occurs,  and 
hydrogen  sulphid  is  formed.  Reacting  upon  the  oxyhemoglobin  of 
the  blood,  sulphomethemoglobin  is  formed — greenish  red  in  concen- 
trated, green  in  dilute  solutions."  Miller  ascribes  the  discoloration 
found  in  conditions  of  gingivitis  from  various  causes,  with  lack  of 
hygienic  care,  to  a  probable  reaction  between  hydrogen  sulphid  and 
oxyhemoglobin. 

Lead. — Hirt  (quoted  by  Miller)  found  in  cases  of  lead  poisoning 
discolorations  upon  the  teeth:  dark  brown  at  the  necks,  light  brown 
on  the  crowns,  with  sometimes  a  trace  of  yellowish  green.  Miller's 
tests  (limited  in  number)  showed  no  lead  reaction  from  the  dental 
deposits  in  lead  poisoning. 

Nickel. — Some  of  the  salts  of  nickel  are  green.  Metallic  nickel 
attacked  by  fluids  of  the  mouth  and  mixtures  of  bread  and  saliva  pro- 
duce greenish  salts.  The  entire  root  of  a  tooth  containing  a  nickel 
retaining  screw  has  been  stained  a  uniform  apple  green. 

Silver.— The  dentin  of  pulpless  teeth  containing  amalgam  fillings 
is  sometimes  stained  black,  owing  to  the  formation  of  silver  sulphid. 

The  use  of  silver  nitrate  as  a  wash  may  cause  the  albuminate  of 
silver  to  precipitate  salts  of  silver  upon  the  teeth.  If  a  cavity  be 
touched  with  silver  nitrate  and  an  amalgam  filling  be  introduced, 
the  salts  of  silver  will  be  instantly  fornCied  at  any  point  where  the 
silver  nitrate  and  amalgam  combine.  If  this  be  upon  the  enamel,  the 
latter  will  receive  a  somewhat  lasting  black  stain. 

The  nitrate  of  silver  applied  to  dentin  causes  the  dentin  to  assume 
a  light  yellowish  green  tinge,  and  the  albuminate  of  silver  is  formed ; 
later  metallic  silver  is  precipitated,  the  tissue  becoming  black. 

Gold. — Gold  chlorid  stains  may  be  formed  during  the  bleaching 
of  teeth  containing  gold  fillings  by  the  chlorin  methods.  The  dentin 
becomes  first  pink,  then  violet  or  purple,  then  black. ^ 

■  Kirk:  American  Text-book  of  Operative  Dentistry. 


314  STAINS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 


NON-METALLIC  STAINS 

Green  Stain. — This  most  common  of  green  deposits  upon  enamel 
occurs  upon  both  the  temporary  and  the  permanent  teeth,  particu- 
larly of  young  persons.  The  deposits  usually  have  a  crescentic  form, 
are  mainly  upon  the  labial  faces  of  the  anterior  teeth,, and  may  be 
but  a  narrow  line  or  may  cover  one-half  the  labial  face.  It  is  unusual 
for  the  deposit  to  extend  far  into  the  interproximal  spaces,  their 
tendency  being  to  follow  the  edges  of  the  approximal  surfaces.  While 
green  stain  undoubtedly  does  form  upon  adult  teeth  (Figs.  301  and 
302)  where  clearly  the  enamel  cuticle  has  long  been  absent,  it  is  only 
very  common  upon  young  teeth  where  remnants  of  Nasmyth's  mem- 
brane persist  about  their  necks.  The  color  of  these  deposits  varies 
from  light  green  to  greenish  black. 

Fig.  301 


Extension  of  green  stain  on  the  approximal  surface  Extension  of  green  stain  on  the  lingual 

of  the  incisors.     (Miller.)  surface  of  the  incisors.     (Miller.) 


If  an  instrument  be  passed  over  the  portion  of  enamel  affected, 
more  or  less  roughness  of  the  surface  is  evident.  If  the  deposits  are 
subjected  to  friction  with  abrasives,  they  disappear  slowly  and  the 
enamel  beneath  may  be  found  roughened.  This  has  led  to  the  belief 
that  these  deposits  cause  decalcification  of  the  enamel..  It  is  found 
upon  adult  teeth  that  when  an  area  of  cervicolabial  enamel  has 
become  roughened  through  slight  decalcification,  a  green  stain  is 
likely  to  form  upon  the  rough  surface  if  proper  hygienic  care  be  not 
exercised.  It  is  also  found  that  if  the  stain  be  removed  by  means  of 
abrasives,  the  roughened  enamel  may  be  readily  polished — i.  e.,  the 
decalcification  is  very  superficial. 

If  cases  be  observed  early  enough  in  childhood,  it  will  be  noted  that 
green  stain  is  usually  preceded  by  a  lack  of  oral  hygiene;  collections 
of  food  debris  are  not  removed  from  about  the  necks  of  the  teeth, 
which  implies  that  prior  to  the  formation  of  green  stain  the  affected 


NON-METALLIC  STAINS  315 

enamel  surfaces  have  been  subjected  to  the  action  of  fermenting 
food  debris — that  is,  to  acids.  These  facts  liave  led  to  an  acceptance 
of  the  view  that  the  roughness  or  decalcification  has  preceded  the 
green  deposits.  "  If  teeth  be  placed  in  a  10  per  cent,  solution  of 
hydrochloric  acid,  in  from  two  to  four  minutes  the  enamel  cuticle 
begins  to  loosen,  and  in  from  five  to  ten  minutes  is  isolated.  It  is 
found  that  the  entire  stain  comes  away  with  the  cuticle." 

Nature  of  the  Coloring  Matter. — The  coloring  matter  is  found  to 
be  insoluble  in  water,  glycerin,  alcohol,  ether,  chloroform,  and  oil  of 
turpentine.  Mineral  acids,  hydrochloric,  nitric,  and  nitrohydro- 
chloric  act  but  slowly  upon  the  coloring  matter;  even  hydrochloric 
acid  requires  some  hours  to  completely  destroy  it.  Tincture  of 
iodin,  commonly  believed  to  act  as  a  solvent  of  green  stain,  was 
found  to  affect  it  but  slightly.  Both  chlorin  and  nascent  oxygen 
destroy  the  coloring  matter  rapidly,  the  cuticle  being  bleached  in  a 
few  minutes  by  a  10  per  cent,  solution  of  hydrogen  dioxid.  Thick, 
dark  green  deposits  were  incompletely  bleached  after  eight  hours' 
immersion  in  the  10  per  cent.  H2O2  solution,  pointing  to  a  lack  of 
uniformity  in  the  composition  of  the  stain. 

The  belief  that  the  green  coloring  matter  is  chlorophyl  is  contra- 
dicted by  the  fact  that  it  is  not  soluble  in  ether. 

Miller^  regarded  the  association  of  the  green  discoloration  with 
sulphomethemoglobin,  or  some  allied  substance,  as  the  most  probable 
explanation,  though  he  found  a  micrococcus  in  a  deposit  of  green 
stain  which  produced  a  grayish-green  color  in  glycerin  agar. 

Miller  did  not  find  any  definite  connection  between  a  milk  diet 
and  green  stain. 

Goadby^  has  found  Bacillus  liquefaciens  fluorescens  motilis  present 
in  several  cases  of  green  stain.  It  deposits  in  its  culture  medium 
a  fluorescent  blue-green  pigment.  Other  mouth  bacteria  produce  a 
greenish  pigment — e.  g.,  Bacillus  pyocyaneus  and  Bacillus  fluorescens 
non-liquefaciens.^  The  deposits  of  green  stain  are  considered  to  be 
secondary  to  enamel  decalcification  rather  than  the  cause  of  it, 
when  found  in  connection  with  it. 

In  case  of  roughened  enamel,  green  stain  appears  at  times  to  have 
been  taken  into  its  substance,  rendering  removal  without  bleaching 
difficult. 

Black  Stain. — A  peculiar  black  stain  occurs  in  the  mouths  of  appar- 
ently healthy  individuals,  both  men  and  women,  and  smokers  and 
non-smokers,  and  even  with  those  also  who  drink  neither  tea  nor 
coffee.     It  occupies  the  general  position  described  for  green  stain, 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1894.  =  Mycology  of  the  Mouth, 

s  Ibid. 


316  STAINS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 

but  may  cover  much  of  the  surface  of  the  teeth.  It  occurs  in  some- 
what unclean  mouths,  though  the  teeth  may  have  been  regularly 
brushed.  As  a  rule,  those  teeth  having  the  deposit  are  comparatively 
free  from  caries.  Its  etiology  is  not  worked  out,  but  it  may  be  due  to 
a  formation  of  iron  sulphid  in  place  of  sulphomethemogiobin.  It  is 
very  readily  removed,  and  does  not,  as  a  rule,  affect  the  enamel.  At 
times  a  superficial  caries  is  found  associated  with  it,  and  at  some 
minute  spot  the  enamel  may  be  penetrated.  Whether  this  cavity 
is  a  result  of  the  action  of  the  film  is  not  certain. 

Tobacco  Stains. — Smokers  have  characteristic  black  deposits  upon 
both  the  teeth  and  calculus  deposited  upon  them.  The  stain  is  most 
marked  upon  the  lingual  surfaces  of  the  teeth,  and  a  pipestem  held 
well  back  in  the  mouth  may  cause  a  thick  deposit  upon  some  of 
the  posterior  teeth. 

Tobacco  juice  itself  stains  exposed  dentin  and  cementum,  and 
enters  cracks  in  the  enamel,  producing  brown  discolorations  very 
difficult  or  impossible  to  remove. 

Red  Stain. — A  peculiar  red  stain  occurs  upon  the  necks  of  some 
teeth,  but  is  not  generally  distributed.  It  is  probably  due  to 
chromogenic  bacteria,  as  it  is  only  found  on  unclean  surfaces. 

According  to  Goadby,^  Bacillus  prodigiosus.  Bacillus  rouge  de  Kiel, 
Bacillus  mesentericus  ruber.  Bacillus  roseus,  Sarcina  roseus.  Micro- 
coccus roseus,  and  other  micrococci  produce  a  red  pigment  in  at 
least  some  of  their  media. 

Sarcina  lutea  and  Sarcina  aurantiaca  produce  yellow  and  orange- 
colored  pigment  respectively.^  The  exact  relation  of  chromogenic 
bacteria  to  stains  is  not  worked  out. 


DENTIN  STAINS 

Exposed  dentin  may  be  stained  as  enamel  is.  In  addition  it  may 
take  up  certain  stains  like  tobacco. 

Metallic  fillings,  such  as  amalgam,  containing  mercury,  silver, 
copper,  or  cadmium  metals  which  combine  with  sulphuretted 
hydrogen  to  form  sulphids,  may  cause  staining  of  dentin. 

Metallic  posts  containing  silver,  copper,  or  nickel,  or  made  of 
steel  or  iron  wire,  may  produce  sulphids  in  the  same  manner.  The 
dentin  may  also  be  stained  pink  by  hemoglobin  entering  the  tubules 
during  the  progress  of  venous  hyperemia.  This  finally  develops 
iron  sulphid. 

1  Mycology  of  the  Mouth. 

2  Ibid. 


TREATMENT  OF  STAINS  317 

The  dentin  may  also  be  stained  by  iron  sulphid  formed  during 
putrefaction  of  the  pulp,  by  the  action  of  ammonium  sulphid  upon 
the  iron  contained  in  the  hemoglobin  of  the  blood  undergoing 
decomposition. 

TREATMENT  OF  STAINS 

Enamel  stains  are  best  removed  by  mechanical  means,  after  the 
removal  of  calculus  from  the  teeth.  (See  Salivary  Calculus.)  For 
this  purpose  brush  wheels  and  rubber  cups  charged  with  pumice  and 
revolved  in  the  dental  engine  are  used  to  remove  the  accessible  por- 
tions of  the  stains.  Next  a  wood  point,  made  by  sharpening  an 
orange-wood  stick  or  hickory  shoe-peg  to  a  wedge-shape,  is  charged 
with  the  pumice  and  rubbed  by  hand  over  all  the  surfaces  not  reached 
by  the  brushes  and  cups.  For  the  more  inaccessible  situations  the 
point  is  to  be  mounted  in  a  Jack  or  other  porte  polisher.  A  very  fine 
linen  tape,  a  German  silver  strip,  or  flat  floss  silk  charged  with 
pumice  will  remove  the  stains  at  the  contact  points.  A  very  small 
finishing  bur  or  dull  ordinary  No.  1  or  No.  ^  bur  is  useful  upon 
lingual  surfaces  or  in  grooves. 

The  powdered  pumice  used  is  best  mixed  with  glycerin  to  prevent 
the  flying  of  the  pumice  during  the  rapid  revolution  of  the  wheels. 
Saturation  of  the  stains  with  tincture  of  iodin  followed  by  a  douche 
of  water  renders  them  more  visible,  and  also  brings  to  view  the 
associated  bacterial  films  upon  the  teeth. 

Register  recommends  the  use  of  1  per  cent,  hydrogen  dioxid,  to 
be  forcibly  sprayed  upon  the  gums  and  deposits  both  before  and 
after  the  use  of  tincture  of  iodin.  The  brush  and  pumice  will  then 
rapidly  remove  the  stains  and  bacterial  films  upon  the  accessible 
portions  of  the  teeth. 

Tobacco  stains  in  cementum  need  not  be  removed  to  their  full 
depth. 

Head^  has  suggested  the  removal  of  deep  enamel  stains  and  the 
deposits  in  irregular  depressions  and  joints  of  inlays,  inaccessible  to 
the  stick,  by  the  use  of  nascent  oxygen  derived  from  25  per  cent, 
ethereal  pyrozone,  or  a  paste  of  sodium  dioxid  and  water,  made  by 
dissolving  the  latter  in  distilled  water  at  about  32°  F.  These  are 
applied  to  the  part  on  cotton,  and  nascent  oxygen  liberated  with  a 
hot  burnisher.  The  face  and  gums  are  protected  by  the  securely 
placed  rubber  dam  and  by  oiling  the  face. 

1  Items  of  Interest,  1902. 


318  STAINS  OF  THE  ENAMEL  AND  DENTIN 

The  method  is  also  appHcable  to  the  bleaching  of  obstinate  stains 
of  the  dentin,  especially  near  the  cutting  egdes. 

In  the  joints  of  inlays  fresh  cement  is  to  be  rubbed — preferably 
the  silicates — in  order  to  prevent  a  rediscoloration. 

If  beneath  green  stains  decalcification  be  discovered,  the  decal- 
cified area  should  be  removed,  the  enamel  polished,  and  the  patient 
urged  to  careful  prophylaxis. 

After  the  removal  of  calculus  and  stains  from  the  teeth  the  mouth 
and  teeth  should  be  kept  in  as  cleanly  and  aseptic  a  state  as  possible 
by  the  employment  of  correct  prophylactic  measures.  Dental  caries 
and  pyorrhea  alveolaris  are  thus  also  largely  prevented.  (See  Pro- 
phylaxis of  Dental  Caries  and  Pyorrhea  Alveolaris.) 

The  stains  found  in  the  dentin  are  also  divisible  into  metallic  and 
non-metallic.  The  former  are  best  removed  by  transforming  the 
insoluble  metallic  salt  into  a  soluble  one. 

The  most  frequent  and  practicable  course  is  to  form  soluble  chlorids 
through  the  action  of  nascent  chlorin.  Copper,  nickel,  gold,  and 
iron  stains  should  be  subjected  to  the  chlorin  method  of  bleaching, 
followed  by  repeated  washings  with  chlorin  water,  50  per  cent.,  and 
hot  distilled  water  to  remove  the  chlorid  formed.^ 

Silver  stains  are  converted  into  silver  chlorid  by  the  chlorin 
method,  or  iodid  by  the  use  of  tincture  of  iodin,  and  dissolved  out  by 
the  use  of  sodium  hyposulphite  followed  by  hot  distilled  water.^ 

For  mercurial  stains  Kirk  recommends  the  use  of  aqueous,  ammo- 
niacal  solution  of  hydrogen  dioxid  after  the  chlorin  method,  and  a 
saturated  solution  of  potassium  iodid  after  the  iodin  method,  in 
either  case  followed  by  washing  with  hot  distilled  water. 

Manganese  stain  is  removable  by  the  use  of  25  per  cent,  aqueous 
solution  of  hydrogen  dioxid  saturated  with  oxalic  acid  crystals  and 
followed  by  washing  with  hot  water. 

The  non-metallijc  dentin  stains  are  removable  by  the  use  of  chlorin 
evolved  from  chlorinated  lime  by  the  reaction  with  dilute  acetic 
acid,  or  of  nascent  oxygen  evolved  from  hydrogen  dioxid  or  sodium 
dioxid. 

In  either  case  the  color  molecule  is  destroyed  by  the  indirect  or 
direct  oxidizing  effect. 

The  hydrogen  dioxid  may  be  used  in  the  form  of  the  25  per  cent, 
ethereal  solution  (25  per  cent,  pyrozone)  applied  for  a  time  or  sealed 
within  the  tooth  for  twenty-four  hours,  or  the  25  per  cent,  aqueous 
solution  may  be  driven  into  the  tubuli  by  the  aid  of  the  cataphoric 
current. 

1  Kirk.  2  Ibid. 


TREATMENT  OF  STAINS  319 

Sodium  dioxid  should  be  employed  in  saturated  solution  in  distilled 
water  (made  at  about  32°  F.).  The  dentin  is  first  desiccated  and 
then  saturated  with  the  solution.  ^Yeak  sulphuric  acid  (10  per 
cent.)  is  used  to  liberate  the  nascent  oxygen.  Kirk  recommends  a 
second  application,  omitting  the  use  of  the  acid. 

As  with  metallic  stains,  all  the  by-products  should  be  washed  out 
with  hot  distilled  water. ^ 

A  further  description  will  be  given  under  the  caption  of  Moist 
Gangrene  of  the  Pulp. 

•  For  a  complete  description  of  the  bleaching  process,  see  Kirk's  article  in  American  Text-book 
of  Operative  Dentistry. 


CHAPTER    XI 

DENTAL  CARIES:    HISTORY;   EXCITING  AND   PREDISPOSING 

CAUSES 

Definition. — Dental  caries  may  be  defined  as  a  disease  of  a  tooth 
characterized  chiefly  by  the  production  of  a  locahzed  cavity,  con- 
cavity, or  area  containing  decalcified  tooth  structure  and  due  to  a 
combined  acid  fermentation  and  liquefaction. 

History. — Examinations  of  crania  show  the  disease  to  be  certainly 
as  old  as  semicivilization,  and  when  more  data  are  obtainable  it 
will,  no  doubt,  be  found  even  older.  The  skull  of  a  mummy  in  the 
British  Museum,  dating  2800  B.C.,  exhibits  well-marked  caries  and 
other  dental  diseases.  Caries  appears  in  the  teeth  of  the  skulls  of 
all  peoples,  no  matter  what  their  degree  of  civilization,  provided 
their  dietary  included  cooked,  starchy  foods. 

Causes. — These  may  be  divided  into  exciting  and  predisposing. 

Prior  to  the  investigations  of  Miller,^  published  in  1882,  a  vast 
amount  of  labor  was  expended  in  the  effort  to  determine  the  cause 
of  dental  caries.  The  deductions  made  were  partly  speculative  and 
partly  based  upon  scientific  investigations. 

From  1754  to  1835  caries  was  regarded  as  an  inflammation  or 
gangrene  of  tooth  structure;  Boudett,  Jourdain,  Hunter,  Fox,  Bell, 
Fitch,  and  Koecker  advancing  one  or  the  other  theory.^ 

In  1835  Robertson,^  of  Birmingham,  England,  advanced  the 
opinion,  based  upon  his  observations,  that  it  "  is  to  chemical  and  not 
to  inflammatory  action  that  the  destruction  of  the  teeth  must  be 
attributed."  The  author  pointed  out  forcibly  the  errors  and  fallacies 
of  previous  writers.  He  stated  that  "Particles  of  food  retained  in 
fissures  and  imperfections  of  the  teeth  and  in  the  spaces  between  the 
teeth  undergo  a  process  of  decomposition  and  acquire  the  property 
of  corroding,  disuniting,  and  therefore  destroying  the  earthy  and 
animal  substances  of  which  the  teeth  are  composed." 

John  Tomes,  a  little  later,  was  the  first  to  record  microscopic 
examinations  of  carious  dentin.    He  described  the  transparent  zone 

1  International  Dental  Journal,  1884. 

2  For  an  interesting  and  exhaustive  exposition  of  their  views,  see  American  System  of  Dentistry, 
Section  on  Dental  Pathology,  by  Black. 

'  A  Practical  Treatise  on  the  Human  Teeth,  second  edition,  Philadelphia,  1839. 


HISTORY  AND  EXCITING  CAUSES  321 

lying  between  the  carious  and  non-carious  dentin,  and  observed  and 
pointed  out  also  the  dentinal  fibrillse.  He  announced  the  very 
significant  fact  in  relation  to  caries,  that  if  blue  litmus  paper  be 
applied  to  a  carious  cavity  it  is  at  once  reddened,  which  furnishes 
evidence  of  the  presence  of  an  agent  capable,  if  unresisted  by  the 
vitality  of  the  dentin,  of  depriving  the  tissue  of  its  earthy  constitu- 
ents, leaving  the  "gelatin  to  undergo  a  gradual  decomposition 
favored  by  the  heat  and  moisture  of  the  mouth." 

Tomes  first  established  the  essentially  chemical  character  of  some 
features  of  caries.  The  character  of  the  acid  and  its  localization  were, 
however,  not  ascertained. 

In  1807  Bridgman  promulgated  the  theory  that  the  crown  of  the 
tooth  and  the  gum  were  of  dift'erent  electrical  potential,  and  that 
being  bathed  in  the  oral  fluids  the  conditions  of  a  battery  were  set  up. 

Acid  substances  were  said  to  be  set  free  at  the  positive  pole  (the 
crown),  causing  decalcification. 

S.  B.  Palmer,  in  1874,  claimed  that  after  filling  recurrent  caries  was 
caused  by  the  conditions  of  a  battery  being  set  up — i.  e.,  the  differ- 
ence of  electrical  potential  between  the  filling  and  dentin  in  the 
presence  of  saliva  or  of  the  fluid  of  the  dentin  as  an  electrolyte 
caused  liberation  of  acids,  producing  decalcification  of  the  tooth  or 
disintegration  of  the  filling — e.  g.,  oxyphosphate. 

Miller,  in  1881  and  1900/  experimentally  examined  these  assump- 
tions. He  ground  the  enamel  away  from  the  crowns  of  freshly 
extracted  teeth  and  filled  cavities  made  in  them  with  gold  and  gutta- 
percha. These  he  placed  in  separate  flasks  containing  a  physiological 
salt  solution  (0.75  per  cent,  sodium  chlorid).  This,  in  the  presence 
of  electric  currents,  should  produce  hydrochloric  acid  by  liberation  of 
hydrogen  and  chlorin,  and  decalcification  should  occur.  After  four 
years  there  was  no  decalcification. 

Similarly  filled  teeth  were  suspended  in  dilute  lactic  acid.  The 
decalcification  was  exactly  similar  to  that  in  the  unfilled  pieces  used 
as  a  control.  Had  electrolytic  currents  been  generated  between  the 
metals  and  dentin,  the  latter  would  have  been  acted  upon  more 
vigorously  than  in  the  unfilled  pieces. 

In  1868  Watt-  advanced  the  theory  that  free  sulphuric,  nitric,  and 
hydrochloric  acids  were  generated  in  the  mouth  during  putrefactive 
processes  and  caused  the  different  varieties  of  caries. 

]Magitot^  pointed  out  that  the  essential  phenomena  of  caries,  as 
they  were  then  understood,  were  the  same  in  natural  teeth  mounted 
upon  plates  as  in  the  natural  organs  in  situ;  proving  that  caries  is 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  April,  1901.  2  Chemical  Essays,  1868. 

^  Treatise  on  Dental  Caries,  Experimental  and  Therapeutical  Investigations. 

21 


322  DENTAL  CARIES 

intrinsically  independent  of  existence  of  vitality.  By  immersing 
teeth  in  solutions  of  sugar  undergoing  fermentative  changes  he  found 
that  decalcification  occurred.  Teeth  immersed  in  solutions  of  sugar 
in  which  fermentation  had  been  prevented  by  boiling  the  solution 
and  sealing,  or  by  additions  of  sufficient  carbolic  acid,  remained 
unaffected. 

Leber  and  Rottenstein,  in  1867,  first  called  attention  to  the 
probable  causative  association  of  bacteria  with  some  phases  of 
dental  caries.  By  staining  carious  dentin  with  iodin  the  dilated 
dentinal  tubules  were  shown  to  be  filled  with  granular  bodies,  which 
they  recognized  as  bacteria,  identifying  but  one  of  the  many  forms 
of  oral  bacteria — the  leptothrix.  They  deemed  an  initial  exposure  of 
dentin  a  necessary  preliminary  to  the  invasion  and  growth  of  the 
leptothrix,  which  in  conditions  of  lessened  resistance  gained  access  to 
the  tubules  and  in*  some  undescribed  manner  caused  their  dilatation. 

The  question  of  the  recognition  of  the  presence  of  bacteria  directly 
resolves  itself  into  the  subject  of  special  staining.  Prior  to  the  work 
of  Koch,  presented  in  1881,  no  means  of  isolating  specific  bacteria 
by  special  cultures  and  staining  were  known,  and  it  is  remarkable 
that  in  the  same  year  the  essential  features  of  dental  caries  were 
first  made  out  with  some  degree  of  clearness. 

Miles  and  Underwood  (World's  Medical  Congress,  1881)  pointed 
out  clearly  and  at  length  the  different  appearances  produced  by 
simple  decalcification  of  dentin  and  those  by  dental  caries.  Speak- 
ing of  Magitot's  experiments,  they  say:  "We  assume  that  two 
factors  have  always  been  in  operation:  (1)  The  action  of  acids  and 
(2)  the  action  of  germs.  When  caries  occurs  in  mouths  it  is  always 
under  circumstances  more  favorable  to  the  action  of  germs  than  to 
the  action  of  acids."  They  believed  that  the  acids  necessary  for 
the  decalcification  were  excreted  by  the  germs,  which  utilized  the 
dentinal  fibrillse  as  a  food  supply. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  invasion  and  multiplication  of  organisms  in 
the  tubuli  were  held  as  the  antecedent  of  the  process  of  decalcifica- 
tion. The  deductions  of  these  gentlemen  were  drawn  from  data 
not  derived  from  the  methods  of  modern  bacteriology — i.  e.,  special 
stains  and  special  cultures.  Moreover,  they  were  made  before  the 
physiological  chemistry  of  bacteria  was  even  partially  understood. 

In  1882  W.  D.  Miller,  of  Berlin,  announced,  as  the  results  of 
experiments  conducted  by  him,  that  he  believed  the  first  stage  of 
dental  caries  to  consist  of  a  decalcification  of  the  tissues  of  the  teeth 
by  acids  which  are  for  the  greater  part  generated  in  the  mouth  by 
fermentation.  This,  it  will  be  seen,  is  a  position  in  agreement  with 
that  of  Robertson. 


EXCITING  CAUSES  323 

Miller's  observations  and  experiments  established  the  following 
basal  facts  in  connection  with  dental  caries: 

1.  That  in  all  cases  of  dental  caries  microorganisms  may  be  seen 
under  the  microscope  in  the  tubules  of  the  carious  dentin,  and  that 
bacteria  exist  in  great  numbers  in  the  mouth. 

2.  That  the  invasion  of  the  tubules  is  always  preceded  by 
decalcification  of  the  dentin — i.  e.,  an  area,  sometimes  rela- 
tively large,  of  decalcified  dentin  may  be  seen  in  advance  of  the 
organisms. 

3.  Analysis  of  the  softened  dentin  proved  that  a  large  part  of  its 
lime  salts  were  removed — i.  e.,  decalcification  had  occurred. 

4.  Test  with  litmus  paper  gave  the  acid  reaction  in  nearly  every 
case,  so  that  the  inference  that  decalcification  was  due  to  an  acid 
was  warrantable. 

5.  The  food  substances  taken  into  the  mouth  are  of  all  classes. 
Carbohydrates  (sugars  and  starches),  hydrocarbons  (fats),  and 
nitrogenous  (albuminous)  materials. 

The  carbohydrates  are  fermented  with  acid  reaction  by  many 
mouth  bacteria,  commonly  producing  lactic  acid;  the  albumins 
ferment  with  an  alkaline  reaction. 

It  was  inferred  from  this  and  other  experiments  that  caries  was 
due  to  the  acid  fermentation  of  carbohydrates  and  not  directly  to 
the  fermentation  of  albuminous  substances. 

6.  That  oral  fermentation  is  the  result  of  bacterial  action  his 
following  fundamental  experiments  show: 

(a)  A  small  tube  was  filled  with  a  solution  of  starch  and  fastened 
to  a  molar  tooth  on  retiring.  The  next  morning  the  contents  of  the 
tube  had  a  strong  acid  reaction.  A  tube  of  the  starch  solution  with 
saliva  added  was  incubated  at  blood  temperature.  After  four  or 
five  hours  the  mixture  became  acid. 

(b)  The  mixture  of  starch  and  saliva  was  kept  at  100°  C.  for  a  half 
hour,  and  incubated.  It  did  not  become  acid — /.  e.,  the  exposure  to 
this  temperature  killed  the  ferment. 

(c)  The  saliva  was  boiled  for  a  half  hour  and  then  added  to  the 
starch  solution  and  the  mixture  incubated.  No  acid  was  produced — 
i.  e.,  the  ferment  existed  in  the  saliva,  not  in  the  starch. 

(d)  The  ptyalin  of  the  saliva  was  destroyed  by  heating  the  mixture 
for  twenty  minutes  at  67°  C;  the  incubated  mixture  still  became 
acid — i.  e.,  ptyalin  did  not  act  as  the  acid-forming  ferment,  but  the 
fermentation  must  have  been  caused  by  some  other  ferment  not 
destroyed  by  exposure  to  this  temperature. 

(e)  To  the  mixture  of  saliva  and  starch  carbolic  acid  was  added 
as  an  antiseptic.    No  acid  was  formed,  but  the  ptyalin  changed  the 


324  DENTAL  CARIES 

starch  to  sugar — i.  e.,  the  acid  forming-bacteria  were  inhibited,  the 
ptyahn  not. 

(/)  A  number  of  tubes  were  each  supplied  with  a  small  quantity  of 
the  saliva-starch  solution  and  sterilized ;  a  third  of  them  were  infected 
from  the  mouth,  a  third  by  carious  dentin,  and  a  third  were  left 
uninfected  as  controls.  The  infected  tubes  became  acid;  the  controls 
did  not. 

{g)  The  first  of  a  series  of  tubes  containing  sterilized  saliva  and 
starch  solution  was  infected  with  carious  dentin;  when  this  became 
acid  a  fraction  of  a  drop  was  carried  from  it  to  a  second  tube.  After 
that  became  acid  a  third  was  infected  from  it,  and  so  on  indefinitely. 

Conclusion. — Carious  dentin  contains  a  ferment  or  ferments 
capable  of  reproduction — i.  e.,  living  organisms  are  present  in  it. 

7.  The  nature  of  this  living  ferment  was  determined  by  infecting 
a  culture  medium  with  carious  dentin  taken  from  the  deeper  layers. 
The  bacteria  cultivated  were  distended  into  pure  cultures  by  carry- 
ing through  a  series  of  cultures  and  examining  microscopically  during 
the  process.  The  same  morphological  characteristics  were  exhibited 
in  the  last  tube,  as  shown  by  the  germs  in  the  deeper  layers  of  carious 
dentin  itself,  and  was  identical  with  that  of  Bacterium  acidi  lactici. 
These  germs  may  be  found  in  the  sediment  of  a  culture  tube,  and 
consist  of  cocci  and  micrococci,  either  single  or  in  chains.  These 
cocci  possess  the  power  of  forming  lactic  acid  from  glucose.  The 
organism  is  a  facultative  anaerobe  (Fig.  303). 

8.  A  sound  bicuspid  was  sawed  into  sections,  and  an  equal  number 
of  these  sectiens  placed  in  each  of  two  test-tubes.  Upon  these  was 
poured  a  2  per  cent,  aqueous  extract  of  beef  (albuminous).  To  one 
tube  a  minute  portion  (0.2  per  cent.)  of  cane-sugar  was  added.  Both 
tubes  were  sterilized,  and  after  cooling  infected  with  a  pure  culture 
of  the  germ  obtained  from  the  deeper  layer  of  carious  dentin.  The 
sugar-containing  solution  became  acid  in  a  few  hours;  in  a  week  the 
dentin  was  softened;  in  two  weeks  thin  sections  were  completely 
decalcified;  in  three  weeks  cavities  were  found  in  the  dentin  exactly 
similar  to  cavities  formed  in  teeth  in  the  mouth  and  presenting  under 
the  microscope  other  phenomena  of  caries  to  be  described  later. 

A  more  prolonged  fermentation  resulted  in  the  complete  disintegra- 
tion of  the  slabs  of  dentin,  a  proof  of  the  fact  that  one  organism  may 
comiAetely  destroy  dentin. 

In  the  tube  containing  only  the  extract  of  beef  no  acid  was  pro- 
duced, and  no  decalcification  of  the  dentin  occurred. 

From  these  facts  Miller  argued  that  putrefaction  does  not  initiate 
the  process  of  dental  caries,  and  may  not  be  essential  to  the  destruc- 
tion of  either  the  inorganic  or  organic  dental  elements. 


EXCITING  CAUSES 


325 


9.  That  the  acid  produced  was  lactic  acid  Miller  demonstrated 
as  follows: 

Starch  and  saliva  were  mixed  and  fermentation  induced.  This 
was  then  checked  by  sterilization  with  heat.  A  quantity  of  material 
being  collected  in  this  manner,  the  whole  was  concentrated  by 
evaporation,  and  tested  w^ith  a  solution  of  methyl  violet,  which 
would  turn  first  blue  and  then  green  with  an  inorganic  acid.  Not 
so  reacting,  and  not  distilling  off  during  the  concentration,  the  acid 
present  was  pronounced  a  non-volatile  organic  acid.  The  concen- 
trate was  shaken  with  a  quantity  of  ether,  which  dissolved  the  organic 
acid  present.  When  the  solution  was  clear  it  was  filtered  and  the 
ether  partially  distilled  off,  when  the  partially  concentrated  solution 
was  further  concentrated  over  a  water  bath  and  then  mixed  with  an 
excess  of  freshly  prepared  zinc  oxid.     The  w^hole  was  boiled,  water 


Fig.  303 


Fig.  304 


„  J  5   6  7 
12345-1 


\d 


« 


o 

0 
0 

0 
0 


0 
0 


0 


^% 


being  added  as  needed,  until  the  solution  became  neutral,  when  it 
was  set  aside  to  crystallize.  A  drop  placed  upon  a  slide  under  the 
microscope  showed  the  forms  of  crystals  of  zinc  lactate  (Fig.  304). 

By  testing  the  molecular  weight  of  the  washed  and  dried  crystals 
it  was  determined  clearly  that  the  substance  was  zinc  lactate. 

In  practically  a  similar  manner  lactic  acid  was  obtained  directly 
from  carious  dentin. 

While  Miller  demonstrated  the  ability  of  one  organism  to  produce 
all  the  essential  phenomena  of  caries,  including  liquefaction  of  the 
dentin,  he  did  not  claim  that  only  one  or  two  organisms  are  involved 
in  the  process,  but  that  "any  germs  possessing  the  power  of  producing 
acid  fermentation  of  food  may  and  do  take  part  in  the  first  stage  of 
caries,  and  that  all  those  possessing  a  peptonizing  or  digestive  action 
upon  albuminous  substances  may  take  part  in  the  second  stage; 


326  DENTAL  CARIES 

and  that  those  possessing  both  properties  may  take  part  in  both 
stages."^ 

He  was  of  the  opinion  that  it  is  not  the  presence  of  this  or  that  kind 
of  bacterium,  but  rather  the  joint  activity  of  the  total  flora  as 
expressed  in  intensity  of  fermentation  in  food  particles  which  deter- 
mines the  extent  of  caries. 

Out  of  eighteen  mouth  bacteria  examined,  Miller  found  ten  that 
produced  lactic  acid  in  sugar-containing  solutions.^  He  also  found 
acetic  and  butyric  acid  to  be  by-products. 

Hinkins  and  Acree,^  in  experiments  upon  pure  cultures  of  a  number 
of  oral  bacteria  in  various  artificial  media,  found  lactic,  butyric, 
valerianic,  formic,  carbonic,  and  hydrosulphuric  acids  as  either 
principal  or  by-products  of  the  fermentation. 

It  is  quite  clear  from  Miller's  demonstrations  that  bacteria,  or 
at  least  one  bacterium,  are  the  exciting  causes  of  dental  caries;  and 
that  for  their  function  as  such  they  require  carbohydrate  material  as 
food. 

Their  action  upon  these  substances  has  been  studied.  The  carbo- 
hydrates introduced  into  the  mouth  as  food  are  monosaccharids, 
disaccharids,  and  polysaccharids.  (1)  The  monosaccharids  or  glu- 
coses have  the  general  formula  C6H12O6,  and  are  represented  by 
dextrose  and  levulose,  found  in  seeds,  fruits,  roots,  honey,  and  in 
many  forms  of  candy,  such  as  peanut  brittle  and  glaces,  and  galac- 
tose formed  from  lactose  or  milk  sugar  by  hydrolysis.  These  ferment 
directly  into  lactic  acid  without  formation  of  gas. 

C6H12O2  +  bacterial  ferment  =  2C3H6O3. 

A  certain  proportion  of  the  glucose,  etc.,  is  appropriated  by  the 
bacteria  as  food.  (2)  Disaccharids  or  saccharoses  have  the  general 
formula  C12H22O11.  The  principal  one  is  saccharose,  found  in  sugar- 
cane, the  sugar-beet,  sugar-maple,  and  maize.  This  is  inverted  by 
the  ferment  of  the  bacteria  into  glucose  and  levulose  through  a 
process  of  hydration : 

C12H22O11  +  H2O  +  bacterial  ferment  =  C6H12O6  +  C6H12O6. 

Two  other  disaccharids  enter  the  mouth  or  are  formed  therein: 
lactose  and  maltose,  both  Ci2H220n  (H2O).  Lactose  exists  in  milk 
and  by  hydrolysis  is  changed  by  bacteria  to  galactose,  2C6H12O6,  and 
then  ferments  like  other  monosaccharids.  Maltose  is  an  intermediate 
product  in  the  formation  of  glucose  from  starch,  and  is  produced  by 

1  Microorganisms  of  the  Human  Mouth.  ^  Ibid. 

3  Dental  Cosmos,  1901. 


EXCITING  CAUSES  327 

the  action  of  ptyalin.  It  is  also  directly  fermentable  by  some  bac- 
teria (Goadby).  (3)  Polysaccharids  or  amyloses  with  the  general 
formula  (C6Hio06)n.    Starch,  cellulose,  glycogen,  and  gum. 

Starch  was  found  by  Miller  not  to  undergo  direct  fermentation  by 
mouth  bacteria — i.  e.,  culture  media  containing  starch  but  not 
sugar  when  infected  by  bacteria  did  not  ferment  into  lactic  acid 
unless  ptyalin  was  present.^  When  saliva  was  used,  however,  the 
acid  reaction  occurred,  owing  to  the  formation  of  glucose  through  the 
action  of  ptyalin. 

In  oral  fermentation  starch  is  first  changed  by  ptyalin  to  maltose 
by  hydration,  and  the  maltose  to  glucose.  Then  the  bacteria  changes 
this  to  lactic  acid. 

2C6H10O5  +  2H2O  +  ptyalin  =  daHzzOnCHaO). 

Starch.  Water.  Maltose. 

Ci2H220u(H20)  +  ptyalin  =  2C6H12O6. 

Maltose. 

2C6Hi206  +  bacterial  ferment  =  4C3H6O3. 

In  a  serial  of  seven  papers  in  the  American  Dental  Journal,  beginning  November,  1910,  J. 
Oxford  Keller,  D.D.S.,  endeavors  to  establish  the  claim  that  dental  caries  is  produced  by  causes 
existing  in  the  saliva  apart  from  organic  acids  produced  by  microorganisms.  The  causes  ascribed 
are: 

1.  Neutral  salts — a  chemical  combination  of  acid  and  base,  as  potassium  phosphate. 

2.  Neutral  salt  acid  or  neutral  salts  with  excess  acidity. 

3.  Neutral  salt  alkaline  or  neutral  salts  with  excess  alkalinity. 

These  by  chemism  are  supposed  to  extract  the  salts  from  tooth  structure. 

After  making  the  assertion  that  lactic  acid  has  never  been  discovered  even  in  trace  in  human 
saliva,  he  states  that  such  acids  as  lactic,  sulphuric,  muriatic,  acetic,  oxalic,  phosphoric,  malic,  and 
carbonic  may  be  contained  in  saliva  in  combination  or  association.  (Compare  with  Miller's  deter- 
mination of  lactic  acid  in  carious  dentin. — Editor.) 

He  states  that  lactic  acid  does  not  develop  in  the  mouth  in  sufficient  strength  to  cause  caries; 
that  full  digestive  fermentation  necessary  to  produce  lactic  acid  requires  from  three  to  six  days,  and 
any  found  would  be  neutralized  by  the  alkaline  saliva.  (Compare  with  Miller's  Experixnent,  No. 
6,  a. — Editor.) 

The  editor  has  carefully  read  these  papers,  but  can  see  no  reason  to  disturb  the  text  of.  this  work 
on  their  account,  for  the  reasons  that: 

1.  The  microbic  plaques  are  always  present  in  enamel  in  incipient  decay,  and  should  protect 
against  the  access  of  saliva  to  enamel.  Certainly  it  would  have  to  contend  with  them,  but  when 
the  carbohydrate  element  in  it  is  considered,  it  is  probable  it  furnishes  them  their  pabulum. 

2.  That  acid  may  exist  in  a  cavity  while  the  saliva  is  alkaline,  and  can  be  often  noted  in  food 
masses  collected  on  teeth,  and  can  be  demonstrated  to  patients  by  the  aid  of  litmus  paper. 

3.  That  caries  is  clinically  noted  in  the  exact  locations  in  which  plaques  are  found  is  demonstrable 
with  tincture  of  iodin,  whereas  if  salivary  salts  are  alone  responsible,  there  is  no  reason  why 
clean  spots  should  not  be  affected. 

4.  That  where  saliva  is  most  abundant  decay  occurs  least,  as  a  rule.  ' 

5.  Because  the  author  has  by  no  means  shown  how  the  salts  of  saliva  produce  decay,  as  his 
experiments  with  concentrated  saliva,  which  disintegrated  teeth  after  two  or  three  years  may 
have  contained  concentrated  acid,  and  as  compared  with  Miller's  experiment  No.  8,  seems  uncon- 
vincing. 

6.  Black  has  shown  that  the  plaques  formed  by  saliva  in  formation  of  calculus  are  the  habitat 
of  bacteria  after  twenty-four  hours,  hence  their  agency  is  hard  to  exclude. 


1  American  System  of  Dentistry,  vol.  i,  p.  805. 


328  DENTAL  CARIES 

According  to  Goadby^  a  few  bacteria  found  in  the  mouth  can  pro- 
duce the  change  direct  from  starch  to  maltose  and  thence  to  acid. 
This  is  of  no  practical  consequence,  however,  as  ptyalin  is  always 
present  in  the  mouth.    (See-  Miller  above.) 

Glycogen,  CeHioOg,  or  animal  starch,  is  fermented  to  glucose  by 
liver  cell  ferment,  and  probably  exists  in  the  oral  epithelium  in 
certain  states  as  well  as  in  the  saliva  in  others,  hence  a  systemic  state 
may  introduce  gliicose  (in  diabetes).  (See  Glycogenic  Infiltration 
and  pages  95,  334,  and  338.) 

Miller  has  demonstrated  that  bacteria  produce  acid  from  starches 
and  sugars  in  about  equal  proportions,  provided  the  starches  are 
cooked.  The  cooking  of  starchy  foods  bursts  the  starch  granules 
and  renders  them  more  adhesive  to  the  teeth,  as  well  as  more  fer- 
mentable. The  following  synopsis  of  experiments^  made  with  food 
mixed  with  saliva  in  definite  quantities  speaks  for  itself: 

Material.  Duration  of  experiment.  Acid  formed,  in  units. s 

Bread,    starch,    potato,    maccaroni, 

rice,     corn,     and    other     cooked 

starches 12  and  30  hours.  20  to  25  and  42  to  110 

Raw  starches,  potato,  spinach,  etc.  12  and  30  hours.  0  0 

Cane-sugar  and  grape-sugar        .      .  12  and  30  hours.  17  to  20  and  37  to  41 

Meats,  fish,  eggs,  etc 12  and  30  hours.  0  or  alkaline 

The  table  shows  that  albuminous  materials  and  raw  starches 
produce  no  acid  and  are  not  concerned  in  caries  except  in  so  far  as 
meats,  etc.,  act  as  culture  media  perpetuating  bacteria  which  later 
may  produce  an  acid  reaction  in  carbohydrate  materials. 

The  fats  maj^  be  fermented  with  production  of  fatty  acids.  Goadby 
has  found  these  of  no  importance  in  relation  to  caries,  but  Miller  has 
shown  that  the  acids  found  in  dermoid  cysts,  among  which  are  fatty 
acids,  can  produce  decalcification;  as  other  acids,  as  oxalic,  were 
present,  the  relation  of  fatty  acids  is  not  quite  clear.  Miller  asserts 
that  fats  deposited  upon  the  teeth,  as  well  as  calculus  retard  decay, 
and  that  fat  mixed  with  saliva  will  give  an  alkaline  reaction.^ 

Milk  contains  a  carbohydrate  (lactose)  and  often  lactic  acid  bacilli. 
It  therefore  may  supply  both  the  bacilli  and  their  food.  This, 
however,  only  has  relation  to  caries  after  plaque  formation  or  by 
retention  of  acid  milk  against  the  teeth.  That  such  a  result  may 
occur  has  been  shown  by  Bennett. 

That  alkalies  do  not  produce  tooth  disintegration  in  the  mouth  is 

'  Mycology  of  the  Mouth.  ^  Microorganisms  of  the  Human  Mouth. 

'  An  acid  unit  equals  the  amount  of  acid  necessary  to  neutralize  0.1  c.c.  of  a  0.5  per  cent,  solu- 
tion of  potassium  hydrate— e.  g.,  if  in  an  indefinite  quantity  of  acid  material  25  of  such  alkaline 
units  are  necessary  to  neutralize  the  reaction,  there  were  25  acid  units  present  in  it. 

«  Dental  Cosmos,  1904. 


EXCITING  CAUSES  329 

shown  by  the  fact  that  a  tooth  is  not  affected  by  alkaline  solutions 
which  are  not  strong  enough  to  injure  the  soft  parts. 

The  influence  of  carbohydrate  diet  in  the  production  of  caries  is 
well  shown  by  tables  compiled  by  Mummery  and  quoted  by  Miller.^ 
The  races  consuming  a  fish  and  meat  diet  almost  exclusively — e.  g., 
the  Esquimaux — are  recorded  as  having  about  3  per  cent,  of  caries 
in  skulls  examined,  while  those  using  a  mixed  or  vegetable  diet  have 
from  10  to  40  per  cent,  of  caries.  A  most  convincing  example  is 
that  given  by  Miller  of  two  related  tribes  living  on  either  side  of 
the  Andes,  in  the  Argentine  Republic,  and  Chili  respectively.  The 
former,  a  cattle  breeding  and  meat  eating  tribe,  were  practically  free 
from  caries,  while  the  latter,  living  on  mixed  foods,  and  consuming 
sugar,  had  19  per  cent,  of  caries. 

While  the  fermentation  of  carbohydrate  food  debris  into  acid  is 
conceded  to  be  the  active  exciting  cause  of  dental  caries,  the  modus 
operandi  of  the  inception  has  not  been  satisfactorily  settled.  Miller 
held  that  as  he  was  able  to  find  bacterial  plaques  upon  many  sur- 
faces of  teeth,  even  in  the  mouths  of  immunes  without  caries  beneath, 
the  plaques  had  no  relation  to  the  inception  of  caries  of  enamel,  but 
that  the  carbohydrate  food  collecting  at  favoring  spots  undergoes 
acid  fermentation,  with  production  of  enamel  decalcification,  after 
which  the  bacteria  enter.  By  experiments  he  determined  that  the 
plaques  rather  hindered  the  action  of  acids  experimentally  used  as  a 
decalcifying  agent.  Black,  on  the  other  hand,  claims  that  the  bacteria 
produce  a  gelatinoid  material  and  are  left  upon  the  teeth  in  the 
form  of  a  plaque  or  zooglea  mass,  and  that  the  plaque  is  a  thin, 
transparent,  slightly  yellowish  film  not  seen  without  close  inspection. 
(It  can  be  stained  by  iodin. — Editor.)  Williams  found  a  film  of 
bacteria  over  the  decalcified  area  in  almost  all  cases  of  superficial 
caries  of  enamel,  and  that  it  has  sufficient  resistance  to  permit 
grinding  in  situ  (Figs.  320  and  321). 

Goadby  frequently  found  on  the  opaque  white  patches  of  softened 
enamel  a  coccus  to  which  Williams  called  attention,  which  would 
cause  a  plaque  deposition  upon  teeth  suspended  in  its  culture,  and 
that  when  acid-producing  bacteria  were  mixed  with  the  coccus  and  a 
carbohydrate  medium  used,  superficial  decalcification  of  the  enamel 
under  the  plaques  was  produced  in  from  a  week  to  ten  days. 

Miller  also  showed  that  in  the  immune  with  unclean  teeth  the 
putrefactive  reaction  was  the  dominant  one,  and  that  the  collection, 
if  persistent,  could  act  as  a  protective  against  the  access  of  acid- 
producing  material. 

1  Microorganisms  of  the  Human  Mouth. 


330  DENTAL  CARIES 

In  the  above  data  we  find  that  the  plaques  are  almost  universal, 
even  on  immune  surfaces  (Miller),  so  that  their  presence  on  a  decal- 
cifying surface  is  probably  true,  as  claimed  by  Williams.  If,  then, 
they  are  a  protection  against  the  acids  produced  from  carbohydrate 
they  should  protect,  but  they  do  not.  Secondly,  experiments  with 
formed  acids  are  not  conclusive,  as  they  may  even  be  germicidal  and 
the  dead  film  might  be  a  relative  protection  against  decalcification 
by  the  acids.  Thirdly,  the  bacterial  films,  if  containing  acid-pro- 
ducing bacteria,  can  easily  take  up  any  carbohydrate  food  collected 
against  them,  form  acid  from  it,  which  they  then  pass  to  the  enamel 
in  a  nascent  state,  hold  it  against  it,  and  permit  it  to  abstract  the 
calcium  salts,  which  they  then  pass  out  as  lactates,  etc.,  or  allow  to 
remain  in  situ.  This  latter  conclusion  in  the  main  is  the  theory  of 
Black,  and  while  the  decalcifying  ability  of  infected  carbohydrate 
food  without  the  intervention  of  the  plaques  is  a  possibility,  it  seems 
a  reasonable  conclusion  to  admit  the  activity  of  the  plaques.  Kirk 
has  shown  that  the  precipitation  of  mucin  from  saliva  rich  in  mucin 
content  by  lactic  acid  produced  by  lactic  acid  bacilli  plays  a  part  in 
the  development  of  the  plaques,  or  by  binding  the  bacteria  together 
creates  a  bacterial  plaque. 

The  frequent  disturbance  of  the  plaques  by  monthly  cleansings 
(prophylaxis)  also  prevents  dental  caries  in  large  degree,  so  that  they 
must  have  some  relation  to  the  inception,  though  it  is  only  fair  to 
state  that  a  constant  warfare  against  any  species  of  bacteria  doubtless 
vastly  reduces  their  number  in  the  mouth. 

Noyes^  claims  that  in  well-cared-for  mouths  the  confinement  of 
acid  under  the  plaques  is  great,  while  in  uncared-for  mouths,  though 
much  acid  is  formed,  it  may  be  dissipated  in  the  saliva  and  the  teeth 
not  be  much  attacked.  This  argument,  however,  does  not  take  into 
consideration  the  idea  of  Miller  that  stagnant  materials  take  on  a 
putrefactive  reaction  after  the  acid  production  is  exhausted  (see 
p.  341). 

The  Predisposing  Causes  of  Caries. — The  causes  of  the  predis- 
position to  caries  are  local  and  general. 

Local  Predisposing  Causes. — So  invariably  does  caries  begin  in 
sulci  or  pits  upon  approximal  surfaces,  about  defective  fillings,  and 
upon  unclean  surfaces,  that  faults  of  form  or  retentive  nature  of 
approximation,  defects,  and  faulty  position  of  the  teeth  must  bear  a 
relation  to  the  difficulty  of  keeping  the  parts  free  from  accumulations 
of  bacteria  and  carbohydrates. 

These  local  predisposing  causes,  as  they  are  called,  are  simply 

1  Items  of  Interest,  1909,  p.  750. 


PREDISPOSING  CAUSES  331 

conditions  favoring  the  formation  of  the  bacterial  plaques  upon  the 
teeth  and  the  retention  of  carbohydrate  food. 

Faults  of  Form. — Deep  pits  or  sulci  in  the  occlusal  surfaces  of 
bicuspids  or  the  occlusal  or  buccal  surfaces  of  molars,  or  in  the  lingual 
surfaces  of  incisors,  and  occasionally  cuspids,  or  pits  upon  the  cusps 
of  bicuspids  or  molars,  or  in  other  unusual  situations,  are  not  sub- 
jected to  a  cleansing  friction,  and  so  permit  bacteria  to  form  plaques 
in  these  locations  (Figs.  306  to  319). 

The  nature  of  the  approximal  contact  has  to  do  with  the  inception 
of  caries.  Teeth  are  seen  in  which  the  approximal  surfaces  are  well 
rounded  and  their  buccal  and  lingual  angles  free  from  approximation. 
Such  teeth  are  usually  relatively  narrow  at  their  cervices,  so  that 
these  also  recede  well  from  the  line  of  contact.  A  V-shaped  space 
is  formed  which  the  gum  festoon  normally  nearly  fills.  Such  per- 
fection of  contour  is  also,  as  a  rule,  associated  with  a  perfect  organi- 
zation of  the  enamel  structure,  in  virtue  of  which  the  surface  is 
smooth. 

While  such  teeth  may  decay  approximally,  there  is  much  less 
tendency  to  caries  (Fig.  322). 

Opposed  to  this,  approximations  exist  of  a  broad  nature.  Broad 
approximations  are  very  common,  and  not  infrequently  are  asso- 
ciated with  a  certain  degree  of  enamel  opacity  and  an  unevenness 
of  enamel  surface  plainly  visible  to  the  naked  eye. 

The  fluid  exuded  by  the  gum  is  normally  alkaline  in  character, 
and  probably  neutralizes  the  products  of  acid  fermentation.  In  view 
of  this  fact,  the  first-mentioned  form  of  contact  evidently  affords 
more  of  this  immunizing  principle.  The  extension  of  cavity  margins 
beneath  the  gum  has  been  strongly  indicated  by  experience  as  good 
practice,  and  probably  is  explainable  upon  the  same  ground.  There 
is  also  some  evidence  that  the  gum  has  some  cleansing  action  (prob- 
ably phagocytic)  upon  metal  placed  beneath  it,  as  it  is  noted  that 
when  unclean  gold  crowns  are  removed  the  portion  extending  beneath 
the  gum  is  usually  quite  clean. 

With  the  narrow  approximations  saliva  is  readily  forced  between 
the  teeth  and  neutralizes  the  acids  formed,  or  washes  away  soluble 
carbohydrates,  the  food  for  the  bacteria.  With  the  broad  approxima- 
tions such  a  result  is  less  likely  to  occur. 

Stagnant  saliva  retaining  carbohydrates  probably  will  develop  an 
acid  reaction.    (Miller.) 

A  depressed  approximal  surface  may  decay,  but  frequently  does 
not.    An  acquired  fault  of  form  requires  notice. 

Anatomically  the  gum  covers  the  cementum  and  the  enamel 
margin.     When  recession  of  the  gum  occurs,  the  cementum  is  left 


332  DENTAL  CARIES 

exposed  and  food  debris  accumulates  at  the  angle  formed  by  it  with 
the  gum.  Owing  to  the  cementum  being  less  smooth  than  enamel, 
microbic  plaques  readily  collect,  hence  decay  of  the  cementum 
frequently  occurs,  and  is  apt  to  progress  rapidly,  owing  to  the 
natural  low  percentage  of  inorganic  matter.    (See  Figs.  312  and  316.) 

Arrangement  and  Position  of  the  Teeth. — The  overlapping 
of  one  tooth  upon  another  creates  a  form  of  contact  producing  a 
tendency  to  decay  at  that  point.  Angle^  claims  to  have  observed  a 
comparative  freedom  from  caries  of  very  irregular  teeth  (Fig.  319). 

The  presence  of  a  supernumerary  third  molar  lying  at  the  buccal 
side  of  the  interdental  space  between  the  second  and  third  upper 
molar,  or  an  inlocked  bicuspid,  very  frequently  causes  approximal 
caries  at  the  contact  points.  The  upper  third  and  lower  third  molars 
frequently  stand  in  bad  relation  to  the  cheek  or  the  gum. 

Food  collects  upon  their  buccal  surfaces,  or  they  are  not  subjected 
to  the  friction  of  the  tooth-brush,  and  decalcification  of  a  broad  area 
of  a  buccal  surface  frequently  results. 

Defects  about  Fillings. — Under  the  caption  of  Recurrence  of 
Caries  will  be  found  a  list  of  the  causes  which  perpetuate  caries  about 
fillings.  Defectively  cemented  bands  are  also  a  cause.  I  believe 
the  abundance  of  these  and  a  lack  of  oral  hygiene  to  be,  in  a  large 
degree,  the  measure  of  a  tendency  to  persistent  caries.  A  patient 
has  a  large  number  of  cavities  due  to  a  period  of  negligence  with 
consequent  intensity  of  oral  fermentation.  If  these  are  obliterated 
in  the  best  manner  with  physically  perfect  fillings,  and  oral  hygiene 
be  exact,  the  tendency  to  caries  is  largely  obliterated.  If,  on  the 
other  hand,  a  large  number  of  even  slightly  defective  fillings  are 
made,  not  only  is  recurrent  caries  induced,  but  the  caries  ferment  is 
continuously  active,  and  exact  oral  hygiene  is  an  impossibility.  The 
number  of  cleansings  a  day  is  no  guarantee  of  perfect  hygiene,  even  with 
perfect  teeth,  as  nothing  is  more  common  than  to  see  unclean  embra- 
sures easily  taking  the  stain  of  tincture  of  iodin  even  in  the  anterior 
part  of  the  mouth  (in  less  degree  than  shown  in  Fig.  305).  Unques- 
tionably food  debris  may  even  be  swept  into  the  interdental  spaces 
by  brushing  alone.  Miller^  has  shown  that  a  mixture  of  bread  and 
saliva  may  become  decidedly  acid  in  one  hour,  and  superficially 
decalcify  sections  of  dentin  in  five  hours.  With  this  going  on,  day 
after  day,  in  cases  of  soluble  teeth  and  without  other  aid  than 
brushing,  and  often  this  not  thoroughly  done,  the  persistence  of 
decay  is  not  surprising.  This,  however,  does  not  prove  the  absence 
of  systemic  susceptibility  or  immunity  as  an  added  cause  of  caries 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1903.  2  Ibid.,  1905. 


PREDISPOSING  CAUSES  333 

or  its  absence.  A  condition  similar  to  a  defect  about  a  filling  is 
that  of  the  presence  of  an  orthodontic  appliance  which  may  afford 
convenient  nooks  for  caries,  fungi,  and  food. 

Other  Local  Predisposing  Causes. — Acids  taken  in  excess  into 
the  mouth  may  act  as  predisponents  by  causing  a  roughness  of  the 
enamel,  which  invites  the  formation  of  the  bacterial  plaques.  A 
course  of  tincture  of  ferric  chlorid  has  a  bad  reputation  in  this  con- 
nection. In  the  cases  observed  by  the  editor  the  hydrochloric  acid 
in  the  tincture  seemed  to  have  formed  roughnesses  between  the 
teeth,  and  many  large  ca\ities  of  not  unusual  form  were  later  pro- 
duced and  evidently  due  to  the  carious  process.  Morjenstern^ 
describes  experiments  that  show  that  acid  iron  waters  or  tinctures 
have  a  decalcifying  action,  ferrous  iodid  and  ferric  chlorid  being 
particularly  injurious,  while  reduced  iron,  saccharated  solution  of 
iron,  and  albuminate  of  iron  produced  no  ill  effects  either  local  or 
through  systemic  action. 

The  acid  vomitus  of  pregnancy  and  seasickness  have  an  analogous 
effect.  It  is  not  likely,  however,  that  during  a  transatlantic  voyage 
large  cavities  can  develop.  The  probable  explanation  of  the  presence 
of  such  cavities  directly  after  the  voyage  is  that  they  existed  before 
the  voyage  was  begun.  Cavities  are  frequently  left  or  overlooked. 
(See  Prophylaxis  of  Caries.)  Since  the  advent  of  medication  by 
lactic  acid  preparations  and  those  containing  lactic  acid  bacilli,  such 
as  sour  milk,  analogous  effects  have  been  observed,  and  therefore  the 
mouth  should  be  washed  out  with  alkaline  antiseptics  after  such 
remedies  are  taken. ^ 

Miller  found  that  the  saliva  has  no  antiseptic  quality  as  a  whole 
and  contains  no  antiseptic  substance,  and  though  he  found  the  saliva 
of  immunes  to  develop  a  little  less  acid  than  that  of  highly  susceptible 
individuals,  the  difference  was  not  constant  and  not  sufficient  to 
account  for  the  marked  difference  in  susceptibility.  IMiller  found  that 
carbohydrate  foodstuffs  mixed  with  an  alkaline  saliva  became  even 
more  acid  than  when  the  reaction  of  the  saliva  was  intensely  acid 
and  the  chance  for  caries  was  about  the  same  with  either  reaction 
at  the  start. 

Under  conditions  of  oral  irritation,  such  as  catarrhal  stomatitis, 
or  even  the  presence  of  many  cavities  of  decay,  a  stringy,  mucinous 
condition  of  the  saliva  may  result.  This  may  be  due  to  a  partial 
coagulation  of  the  mucin  by  the  acid  present  in  the  mouth,  and  the 
coagulum  may  entangle  food  masses  and  cause  their  adherence  to 
the  teeth. 

•  Therapeutische  Monatshefte,  1908.  2  Vanel,  Dental  Cosmos,  1910,  p.  694. 


334 


DENTAL  CARIES 


The  contention  of  Lohmann  that  the  carbohydrate  element  in 
mucin  was  the  cause  of  caries  Miller  examined  experimentally  and 
found  it  untenable,  but  that  the  explanation  here  given  of  its  entang- 
ling action  is  the  probable  one.  Nevertheless,  as  shown  by  Kirk, 
the  presence  of  such  a  soluble  carbohydrate  is  a  fact,  and  may  furnish 
the  pabulum  for  the  lactic  acid  bacilli  after  the  plaque  is  localized. 
He  states  that  very  small  amounts  of  lactic  acid  precipitate  the 
mucin  and  thus  enables  the  bacteria  to  become  fixed  to  the  teeth  as 
plaques. 

Miller  has  noted  that  some  immunes  have  had  exceedingly  ropy 
saliva  which  could  be  drawn  out  into  long  threads,  while  much 
caries  was  noted  in  the  mouths  of  some  almost  absolutely  free  from 
mucus. 

Miller  could  find  no  antiseptic  quality  in  the  saliva  nor  any  prin- 
ciple corresponding  to  alexin,  and  found  that  bacteria  developed  in 
the  saliva  of  immunes  almost  as  readily  as  in  that  of  those  susceptible 
to  caries. 

Fig.  305 


Caries  of  enamel  about  the  cervices  of  many  teeth,  due  to  tenacious  films  collected  upon 
them;  at  first  probably  neglected,  later  impossible  to  cleanse  with  brush  alone.  (Model  by 
W.  A.  Capon.) 


He  also  pointed  out  that  the  mucus  may  readily  undergo  putre- 
factive fermentation  with  alkaline  reaction,  and,  again,  the  carbo- 
hydrates entangled  in  it  will  ferment  with  acid  reaction,,  causing  any 
caries  which  might  be  attributable  to  mucin  fermentation. 

It  is  possible  that  the  secretion  from  the  gum  may  in  some  cases 
be  acid  and  favor  the  production  of  caries  by  decalcifying  the  enamel 
about  the  cervix  (Fig.  305). 

Cook  has  shown  that  glycogenic  infiltration  of  the  oral  mucous 
membrane  may  be  produced  by  the  use  of  irritant  or  astringent 
washes,  which  may  possibly  permit  a  change  of  this  substance  by 
bacteria  into  acid  about  the  necks  of  teeth,  accounting  for  a  certain 
form  of  cervical  decay  long  thought  to  be  due  to  an  acid  mucus. 
(See  Glycogenic  Infiltration.) 


PREDISPOSING  CAUSES  335 

Structure. — While  the  structure  of  the  enamel  has  no  relation  to 
the  inception  of  caries,  that  is,  teeth  of  poor  structure  may  not  decay, 
a  roughness  of  the  enamel  surface,  which  often  accompanies  teeth 
of  opaque  appearance,  may  act  as  a  favoring  condition,  and  after 
inception  of  caries  inferior  structure  and  possibly  the  presence  of 
Caush's  tubes  may  permit  more  rapid  disintegration.  (See  p.  165.) 
An  interesting  examination  of  16,000  mouths  made  in  Sweden  by 
Forberg  (Stockholm)  and  others  by  Rose  in  Baden  and  Thuringia 
seem  to  show  that  there  is  a  relation  between  the  color  (structure)  of 
teeth  and  the  presence  of  caries,  the  following  averages  of  all  ages 
being  observed :  White  teeth,  14.3  per  cent,  of  caries;  yellowish- 
white,  16.4  per  cent.;  yellow,  20  per  cent.;  grayish  blue,  24.3  per 
cent. 

According  to  these  observers,^  in  the  regions  in  which  the  water 
was  rich  in  calcium  salts  the  individuals  examined  had  the  yellowish- 
white  teeth.    Miller's  observations  confirm  this. 

Gautier^  found  that  in  young  pigs  deficient  osseous  development 
corresponded  exactly  to  the  lack  of  calcium  salts  in  their  drinking 
water. 

Black^  made  analyses  of  so-called  hard  and  soft  teeth,  and  deduced 
from  them  the  opinion  that  the  hardness  and  softness  of  teeth  have 
nothing  to  do  with  the  inception  of  caries. 

Touching  this  point,  Black^  instances  the  case  of  a  man  whose 
enamel  had  always  been  chalky  and  as  easily  cut  as  a  slate-pencil, 
yet  who  had  little  caries  of  the  teeth.  That  some  teeth  of  apparently 
poor  structure  and  defective  form  do  not  decay  is  also  a  fact  of 
common  observation,  but,  as  a  rule,  they  go  together. 

These  observations,  together  with  the  foregoing  data,  regarding 
the  inception  of  caries,  point  to  the  now  conceded  conclusion  that 
the  caries  of  teeth  is  entirely  due  to  the  environment  of  the  teeth, 
and  in  no  sense  does  it  arise  from  within  the  tooth,  and  that  in  so 
far  as  the  cause  is  active  it  is  a  question  of  the  localization  of  the 
exciting  cause  or  its  factors  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  solubility  of 
the  teeth  on  the  other;  and  that  no  amount  of  cause  is  sufficient  to 
produce  it  unless  permitted  to  exert  its  effect  upon  special  points 
upon  the  teeth;  in  other  words,  it  requires  localization  and  time  to 
act,  though  it  may  in  some  cases  be  broadly  localized.  There  appar- 
ently remains  only  to  be  considered  the  effect  produced  by  systemic 
states  upon  the  development  of  the  bacterial  causes  or  whether  any 
material  is  introduced  through  the  oral  juices,  saliva,  mucus,  etc. 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1901.  2  L'Odontologie,  October,  1910.    See  Cosmos,  1911,  p.  242. 

'  Ibid.,  1898.  *  Ibid. 


336  DENTAL  CARIES 

Systemic  Predisposing  Causes. — Some  individuals  seem  to 
suffer  much  from  caries;  others  in  less  degree.  In  either  case  periods 
of  immunity  or  comparative  immunitj^  may  be  established,  and  may 
be  again  followed  by  a  period  of  susceptibility  and  a  succeeding 
immunity. 

These  facts  point  to  the  conclusion  that  a  period  of  caries  is  due 
either  to  a  temporary  lack  of  oral  hygiene  with  a  corresponding 
intensity  in  oral  fermentation — i.  e.,  the  exciting  cause  is  active — or 
that  it  is  due  to  some  systemic  condition  which  changes  the  consti- 
tution of  the  oral  fluids,  permitting  the  formation  of  the  microbic 
plaques  upon  the  teeth,  or  increases  the  fermentation  by  supplying 
some  element  nutritive  to  bacteria  or  depriving  it  of  some  element 
inhibiting  the  growth. 

Black  has  shown  that  caries  fungi  are  always  present  in  the  mouth, 
but  do  not  always  form  the  plaques.  Cases  also  exist  in  which  caries 
has  begun  during  some  period  of  susceptibility  and  a  number  of  new 
cavities  have  been  started.  Later  a  period  of  immunity  has  followed 
and  the  cavities  have  not  progressed. 

So  far  as  classed,  systemic  conditions  influencing  susceptibility 
and  immunity  may  be  placed  under  the  four  headings:  Heredity, 
Prenatal  and  Postnatal  Influences,  Age,  and  Bodily  Condition. 

Heredity. — ^Black^  records  observations  on  certain  families  as 
showing  a  tendency  to  caries  of  certain  teeth  at  a  given  age,  or  in 
certain  positions  upon  the  teeth,  e.  g.,  occlusal  pits.  In  certain  cases 
the  hereditary  tendency  persists.  This  tendenc}^  must  be  due  either 
to  an  inherited  cell  physiology,  or  diet  tendency  influencing  the  oral 
fluid,  or  to  transmitted  faults  of  form  or,  possibly,  of  structure  of 
the  teeth. 

Prenatal  and  Postnatal  Influences. — It  is  quite  probable  that 
the  systemic  condition  of  the  mother  during  gestation  may  pro- 
foundly modify  the  anatomicophysiological  condition  of  the  body 
cells  of  the  child;  nutritional  processes  maj"  suffer  and  the  postnatal 
tooth  development  proceed  irregularly,  structure  being  affected; 
moreover,  the  altered  biochemical  function  of  the  cells  may  stand 
in  close  relation  to  the  constitution  of  the  oral  fluids,  and  these  in 
turn  may  favor  the  development  of  caries  fungi.  If,  therefore,  the 
mother  is  not  properly  nourished  the  teeth  ma}'  not  be  well  con- 
structed, especially  if  lime  be  lacking  in  her  food.  The  same  line  of 
argument  may  be  applied  to  bottle  feeding  of  recently  born  infants, 
or  to  other  conditions  profoundly  affecting  general  nutrition. 

In  an  examination  of  school  children,  Th.  Frick^  (Zurich)  found  a 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1904.  -  Ibid.,  1901. 


PREDISPOSING  CAUSES  337 

much  greater  percentage  of  decay  in  children  that  had  been  bottle- 
fed  at  between  three  and  six  months  of  age.  He  performed  an  experi- 
ment on  a  Htter  of  six  dogs,  feeding  three  on  cows'  milk  and  bouillon; 
one  of  them  died  and  the  others  had  poorly  developed  teeth.  The 
controls  were  normal. 

Forberg  and  Rose^  have  shown  that  the  individuals  who  drink 
water  rich  in  calcium  salts  have  a  smaller  percentage  of  caries  than 
those  drinking  soft  waters.  Ferrier  has  observed  a  coincidence  of 
caries  and  the  drinking  of  boiled  water  which  has  been  deprived  of 
calcium  carbonate.  Whether  this  effect  is  due  to  a  better  develop- 
ment of  tooth  structure  or  is  a  post-developmental  effect  is  not  stated 
in  either  case.  The  point  brought  up  by  Head,^  who  has  shown 
the  apparent  rehardening  of  teeth  in  saliva  after  partial  decalcifica- 
tion by  a  weak  acid  opens  up  the  question  here  as  to  whether  the  use 
of  calcareous  waters  after  tooth  eruption  can  increase  the  density  of 
enamel.  Enamel  can  be  dried,  why  then  not  infiltrated  by  calcareous 
solutions?  The  question  cannot  now  be  answered.  Another  view 
might  be  that  some  of  the  calcium  salts  in  drinking  water  come 
back  to  the  saliva  eventually,  and  if  abundant  may  neutralize  the 
acidity  in  plaques  either  through  their  alkalinity  or  by  combining 
with  the  acids  formed.  Degeneracy  must  be  considered  as  a  factor 
possibly  influencing  the  body  cells,  thus  also  the  body  fluids. 

Age. — That  the  age  has  an  influence  upon  caries  was  noted  by 
Flagg.  He  recorded  the  ages  from  five  to  eight,  twelve  to  twenty, 
thirty  to  thirty-five,  forty-five  to  fifty,  sixty  to  sixty-five  years,  and 
senility  as  periods  of  decay,  while  the  intervening  periods  were 
intervals  of  comparative  exemption. 

Black  has  noted  that  caries  is  a  disease  of  youth,  most  intense 
before  adult  age,  at  which  time  immunity  is  established,  provided  the 
teeth  have  been  well  and  promptly  filled  and  the  mouth  otherwise 
cared  for.  In  view  of  this  fact  he  aims  at  establishing  this  immunity 
by  close  attention  to  the  teeth  during  youth. 

He  records  fluctuations  in  susceptibility  not  unlike  those  recorded 
by  Flagg,  and  also  points  out  that  some  persons  pass  through  the 
ordinary  periods  of  susceptibility  and  first  develop  caries  in  middle 
age.  In  old  age  general  recession  of  the  gum  is  common,  and  in  the 
conditions  of  debility  associated  with  old  age  much  caries  of  cemen- 
tum  occurs.  The  patients  are  often  either  unwilling  or  unable  to 
keep  the  cementum  cleansed. 

Repeated  examinations  of  the  mouths  of  school-children  show  a 
deplorable  amount  of  caries  which  may,  perhaps,  be  attributable  to 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1S99.  2  See  p.  299. 

22 


338  DENTAL  CARIES 

several  causes,  such  as  the  induction  of  a  lessened  systemic  resistance 
due  to  confinement,  study,  etc.,  and  also  to  the  inhalation  of  vitiated 
air,  which  presumably  also  contains  acid-producing  bacteria.  More- 
over, bacteria  of  caries  may  be  directly  transmitted  by  kissing, 
common  use  of  drinking  cups,  pencils,  etc. 

Michaels,^  of  Paris,  has  observed  that  "the  saliva  of  adolescence 
contains  a  dextrinic  principle  (glycogen)  susceptible  of  fermentation 
under  the  influence  of  ptj^alin  in  the  presence  of  earthy  salts.  Lactic 
acid  is  formed." 

Bodily  Condition. — It  is  a  matter  of  observation  that  such  con- 
ditions as  pregnancy,  typhoid  fever,  anemia,  leukemia,  diabetes, 
dyspepsia,  nervous  exhaustion,  and  debility  are  frequently  accom- 
panied by  or  followed  by  a  development  of  cavities  of  decay,  but 
whether  the  diseases  themselves  or  a  coincident  lack  of  oral  hygiene 
act  to  permit  the  formation  of  the  gelatinous  plaques  has  not  clearly 
been  made  out.  If  oral  and  dental  prophylaxis  be  practised  during 
typhoid  fever  and  convalescence  therefrom,  the  production  of 
cavities  is  much  limited,  but  this  does  not  prove  anything.  The  same 
is  true  of  pregnancy,  which  introduces  an  exciting  cause  (the  vom- 
itus),  and  of  glycosuria,  which  introduces  glucose.  Black  contends 
that  periods  of  susceptibility  are  noted  both  in  apparent  good  and 
ill  health.  That  apparent  health  may  really  not  be  true  health  is  a 
matter  that  must  be  considered. 

This  bodily  condition  is  seemingly  the  key  to  any  change  which 
can  occur  in  saliva,  or  mucus,  or  oral  phagocytosis,  to  one  of  which 
must  be  attributed  any  possible  systemic  effect  upon  caries  bacteria, 
which  can  aid  or  inhibit  their  growth  or  localization.  It  matters  very 
little  whether  the  bodily  condition  is  due  to  heredity  as  a  general 
modification  of  cell  physiology,  to  age,  or  some  period  of  stress,  as 
the  "change"  of  the  teeth,  puberty,  growth  during  adolescence, 
business  or  family  anxieties,  the  degenerative  tendencies  of  advancing 
age,  or  to  some  more  acute  systemic  condition,  as  typhoid  fever, 
diabetes,  etc.,  except  in  so  far  as  these  conditions  may  introduce 
into  the  oral  fluid  a  substance  which  may  act  either  (1)  as  a  direct 
decalcifying  agent  (an  acid)  or  (2)  as  an  indirect  decalcifying  agent 
by  furnishing  a  food  material  for  the  bacteria  hbm  which  they  may 
manufacture  acid  (a  carbohydrate),  or  (3)  furnish  a  substance  in  the 
saliva  which  may  glue  the  germs  to  the  teeth,  or  (4)  take  from  the 
saliva  some  substance  which  normally  inhibits  plaque  formation. 

It  was  shown  under  the  caption  of  Erosion  that  a  very  weak  acid 
may  decalcify  more  rapidly  than  a  stronger  solution,  and  it  has 

'  Sialosemeiology.    See  Dental  Cosmos,  1900. 


PREDISPOSING  CAUSES  339 

been  noted  that  in  systemic  conditions  inducing  general  acidosis 
(as  chronic  nephritis  or  diabetes)  there  is  a  tendency  to  deep  decalci- 
fication of  cervices  of  teeth,  beginning  particularly  upon  the  cemen- 
tum.  While  by  no  means  proved  not  due  largely  to  fermentation  of 
carbohydrate  food  by  bacterial  plaques,  as  a  result  of  defective 
hygiene,  there  is,  nevertheless,  a  strong  suspicion  that  the  acidosis 
expressed  as  acidity  of  saliva  has  produced  the  decalcification.  There 
is  also  a  probable  reduction  in  the  amount  of  normal  sodium  phos- 
phates as  the  result  of  the  general  acidosis,  and  this  also  found  in 
the  saliva  reduces  the  controlling  quality,  which  Head  has  shown 
to  exist  when  a  certain  percentage  of  basic  sodium  phosphate  is 
present  in  solutions  having  an  acid  reaction.  (See  p.  299.)  On 
the  other  hand,  in  such  a  condition  as  diabetes  there  is  not  only  a 
general  acidosis,  but  also  the  possible  transudation  of  a  glycogenic 
principle  into  the  saliva  which  can  undergo  acid  fermentation  by 
oral  bacteria. 

Michaels^  states  that  the  constitution  of  the  sali^•a  changes  with 
the  establishment  of  various  diatheses,  and  that  a  physiological 
saliva  with  the  biochemical  principles  in  a  state  of  equilibrium  is 
probably  very  rare.  He  states  that  the  most  active  dental  caries  is 
found  in  the  mouths  of  hypo-acid  individuals,  in  whom  saline  chlorids 
predominate  over  the  acid  elements  of  metabolic  waste,  reducing  the 
acidity  of  body  fluids  below  normal,  and  inducing  a  lessened  resist- 
ance to  development  of  infective  causes,  and  that  caries  is  least  active 
in  the  hyperacid  individuals,  in  whom  sulphocyanid  of  potassium  is 
more  abundant  in  the  saliva. 

Under  the  auspices  of  the  Xew  York  State  Dental  Society  its 
Committee  on  Scientific  Research  has  conducted  experiments  which 
tend  to  show  that  individuals  having  marked  tendency  to  caries 
have  but  relatively  small  amounts  of  potassium  sulphocyanate  in  the 
saliva,  while  those  with  little  caries  have  an  abundance. 

It  is  argued,  from  observations,  that  saliva  in  which  it  is  abundant 
causes  the  solution  of  the  mucoid  substances  necessary  to  form 
bacterial  plaques  or  prevents  the  bacteria  from  forming  them. 

It  w^as  shown  that  smokers,  photographers  who  use  potassium 
cyanid  in  removing  silver  nitrate  stains  from  the  hands,  those  to 
whom  hydrochloric  acid  has  been  administered  for  a  time,  and  those 
to  W'hom  potassium  sulphocyanate  has  been  administered  in  f-grain 
doses  per  diem  have  an  abundance  of  potassium  sulphocyanate  in 
the  saliva,  with  lessened  tendency  to  caries.  It  is  argued  that  its 
natural  entrance  into   the  saliva  is  lessened  in  carious  subjects, 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  December,  1900. 


340  DENTAL  CARIES 

through  some  fault  in  the  economy,  and  it  was  found  that  its  admin- 
istration (also  as  sodium  sulphocyanate^  in  ^-grain  doses  in  tablet 
form  per  diem  would  reestablish  its  regular  formation,  for  some  time 
even  after  its  administration  ceased. 

When  large  quantities  of  mucoid  substances  accompanied  the 
presence  of  ordinarily  sufficient  sulphocyanate  caries  was  not  inhibited, 
and  in  a  few  cases  low  findings  did  not  render  the  individual  suscep- 
.  tible  because  some  unknown  ingredient  seemed  to  cause  a  solution  of 
the  mucoid  substances.  The  test  supplied  by  the  committee  is  as 
follows : 

Take  2  c.c.  of  saliva,  to  which  add  2  c.c.  of  distilled  water,  and 
shake  thoroughly  together.  Add  5  drops  of  iron  perchlorid,  and 
shake  again. 

The  presence  of  sulphocyanate  naturally  in  the  saliva  is  determined 
by  the  color. 

A  straw  color  indicates  little  or  none.  A  brick  color  indicates  a 
sufficiency.    A  wine  color  indicates  abundance. 

The  Committee  on  Scientific  Research  of  the  National  Dental 
Association  have  devised  a  colorimetric  scale^  which  consists  of  two 
tubes.  In  tube  A  1  c.c.  of  saliva  is  placed.  In  tube  B  1  c.c.  of  a  1  to 
2000  solution  of  sulphocyanate  of  ammonia.  To  each  add  2  drops 
of  a  5  per  cent,  ferric  chlorid  solution  from  the  same  pipette.  Add 
distilled  water  to  be  in  definite  quantities  until  the  color  matches 
that  of  the  saliva.  Calculation  of  the  dilution  of  the  standard 
solution  will  give  the  amount  of  sulphocyanate  in  the  saliva.  While 
the  observatioas  have  not  produced  finality  in  this  direction,  the 
observations  are  introduced  that  others  may  continue  the  line  of 
thought. 

The  Committee  has  concluded  that  its  presence  retards  caries, 
renders  teeth  less  sensitive,  assists  in  softening  the  stains  on  teeth, 
aiding  prophylaxis  and  changes  the  character  of  the  saliva  and  oral 
fluid  in  general.  It  also  finds  that  the  administration  of  potassium 
sulphocyanate  not  only  furnishes  it  immediately  to  the  saliva,  but 
restores  the  metabolic  activity  temporarily  in  abeyance  which  pro- 
duces it.  The  use  for  a  few  weeks  is  to  be  renewed  when  the  test 
shows  its  need.^ 

Potassium  sulphocyanate  is  described  as  a  nerve  tonic  safe  in  even 
10-grain  doses.  It  must  not  he  confused  with  potassium  cyanate,  which 
is  a  virulent  poison. 

Kirk  has  succeeded  in  altering  viscid  saliva  to  a  more  limpid  condi- 
tion by  reducing  the  ratio  of  carbohydrate  to  proteid  diet,  first  cutting 

1  Parke,  Davis  &  Co.,  sodium  sulphocyanate.  2 Dental  Cosmos,  1908,  p.  1365. 

3  Ibid.,  p.  469. 


PREDISPOSING  CAUSES  341 

out  carbohydrates  almost  altogether,  then  adding  them  gradually  to 
the  diet.  He  cites  observations  upon  asylum  children  kept  upon 
well-balanced  rations  as  having  large  numbers  of  arrested  caries.^ 

Black^  believes  that  the  condition  of  the  system  alters  the  oral 
fluid  so  as  to  permit  the  bacteria  in  it  to  produce  a  gelatinoid  material 
as  a  by-product  in  one  case  and  not  to  produce  it  in  another,  and 
that  when  produced  plaques  adhere  to  the  teeth  in  sheltered  spots, 
while  when  not  produced  no  plaques  adhere,  though  a  general  acidity 
of  the  oral  fluids  may  be  produced. 

Miller,^  some  years  ago,  pointed  out  that  filthy  mouths  often  do 
not  contain  carious  teeth.  He  offered  the  rational  explanation  that 
the  unchanged  food  particles,  once  their  acid-producing  capacity  is 
destroyed,  can  even  act  as  a  protection  in  so  far  as  caries  is  concerned. 
In  experiments  on  artificial  production  of  caries,  Miller  found  that 
the  pabulum  of  the  bacteria  needed  constant  change,  otherwise 
putrefaction  resulted  and  decay  ceased.  The  fact  that  fairly  cared- 
for  mouths  often  contain  carious  teeth  is  rather  an  argument  in 
favor  of  the  local  etiology  of  caries,  as  teeth  unbrushed  after  a  meal, 
or,  rather,  not  thoroughl}'  cleansed,  as  is  the  rule  in  a  vast  majority 
of  mouths,  contain  every  necessary  factor  of  caries,  including  a 
renewal  of  fresh  carbohydrate  food  for  the  bacteria. 

1  Dental  Brief,  1907. 

2  Dental  Digest,  1907. 

3  Lecture  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 


CHAPTER    XII 

DENTAL  CARIES:    PATHOLOGY,  MORBID  ANATOMY,  AND 
CLINICAL  HISTORY 

PATHOLOGY  AND  MORBID  ANATOMY 

It  is  a  fact  of  common  observation  that  caries  begins  only  at 
spots  protected  from  friction  or  uncleansed.  These  are  in  order  of 
frequency:  (1)  Pits,  grooves,  and  fissures  in  the  enamel;  (2)  approxi- 
mal  surfaces  just  above  the  contact  point;  (3)  smooth  surfaces  which 


Fig.  306 


Fig.  310 


Fig.  317 


Fig.  308 


Fig.  309 


Fig.  311 


Fig.  312 


Fig.  315 


Fig.  318 


Fig.  313 


Fig.  316 


Fig.  319 


from  any  cause  are  habitually  unclean;  (4)  necks  of  the  teeth  at  or 
near  the  junction  of  the  cementum  and  enamel  (Black)  (Figs.  306 
to  319). 

In  these  situations  Williams  has  demonstrated  the  fact  that  the 
oral   bacteria,   protected  from  friction,   attach  themselves  to  the 


PATHOLOGY  AND  MORBID  ANATOMY 


343 


enamel,  forming  microbic  plaques  which  are  sufficiently  adherent 
to  permit  their  retention  during  the  grinding  of  the  specimen  for 
microscopic  examination.  (See  Figs.  320,  321,  and  322.)  Carbo- 
hydrate food  debris  lodges  at  the  points  at  which  retention  is  favored, 
and  either  ferments  directly  against  the  enamel  or  through  the 
medium  of  the  microbic  plaque. 

The  bacteria  in  the  plaque  require  food  and  obtain  it  from  the 
carbohydrate  and  albuminous  materials  which  come  in  contact  with 
them.     From  the  carbohydrates  lactic  acid  is  produced  as  a  waste 

Fig.  320 


Section  of  normal  human  enamel,  showing  thick,  felt-like  mass  of  microorganisms  slightly 
raised  from  the  surface  of  the  tissue  by  pressure  of  the  cover-glass  in  mounting.  X  250. 
(Williams.) 


product.  (See  Chapter  XI.)  Williams  states  that  it  is  "highly  im- 
probable that  the  enamel  is  affected,  except  in  rare  and  special 
instances  by  any  other  acid  than  that  which  is  being  excreted  by  the 
bacteria  at  the  very  point  at  which  they  are  attached  to  the  enamel." 

This  thick  mass  of  fungi  also  prevents  the  excreted  acid  from 
being  washed  away,  so  that  it  exerts  its  full  chemical  power  upon 
calcific  tissue. 

The  lactic  acid  produced   attacks  the  inorganic  matter  of  the 


344 


DENTAL  CARIES 


enamel,  following  first  the  interprismatic  cement  substance  between 
the  prisms,  later  dissolving  the  transverse  cement  substance  between 
the  globules.  The  effect  is  to  produce  an  irregular,  roughened  sur- 
face of  the  enamel  and  to  bring  into  view  the  structure  of  the  rods 
(Fig.  327). 

Fig.  321 


-V 


Microorganisms  of  caries  attached  to  enamel  on  approximal  surface  of  tooth.    (Williams.) 


The  gradual  loss  of  cement  substance  unbinds  the  enamel  globules, 
which  are  in  turn  dissolved  and  washed  away,  leaving  a  depression 
or  cavity. 

In  the  process  of  enamel  dissolution  the  bacteria  may  enter  the 
crevices  formed  by  solution  of  the  interprismatic  cement  substance, 
and  by  repetition  of  the  process  gain  access  to  the  dentin  (Fig.  330). 

The  form  of  the  enamel  may  be  retained  until  and  even  after 
decalcification  has  reached  the  dentin.     Clinicallv  this  is  seen  as  an 


PATHOLOGY  AND  MORBID  ANATOMY 

Fig.  322 


345 


Superficial  approximal  caries  of  enamel  with  tilms;  also  shows  slight  approximal 
abrasion.    (Miller.) 


Fig.  323 


Budding  of  spores  on  the  stems  of  Leptothrix  racemosa.     (Williams.) 


346 


DENTAL  CARIES 


opaque  white  or  discolored  spot,  resisting  the  instrument  until  some 
force  is  used,  when  it  rapidly  breaks  down  (Fig.  322). 

A  central  cavity,  or  several  minute  openings,  leading  to  or  almost 
to  the  dentin,  is  sometimes  seen  in  the  general  decalcified  area.  It 
signifies  the  loss  of  the  organic  matter  of  the  enamel  by  unbinding  or 


Fig.  324 


Thick  growth  of  Leptothrix  racemosa  fructification  heads  from  approximal  surface  of  tooth, 
under  high  magnifsdng  power.    (Williams.) 


peptonizing  actions.  The  extraction  of  an  approximating  tooth 
permits  the  film  to  be  rubbed  off  or  prevents  the  retention  of  carbo- 
hydrate media,  so  that  the  bacteria  cease  to  be  active,  and  this  spot 
may  remain  indefinitely  at  this  point — e.  g.,  the  disease  is  arrested. 
It  may  cease  spontaneously  to  develop  further,  owing  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  an  immunizing  systemic  change,  even  though  the  teeth 


PATHOLOGY  AND  MORBID  ANATOMY 

Fig.  325 
i 


347 


>-/    \ 


A  form  of  streptococcus  found  abundantly  in  mouths  where  very  rapid  decay  of  teeth 
is  in  progress.     X  750.     (Williams.) 

Fig.  326 


Scrapings  of  microorganisms  from  the  approxin.al  surface  of  a  deraying  tooth:  -sliows  the  Lepto- 
thrix  buccalis  maxima  and  the  Bacillus  bucoalis  maximus  of  Miller.     X  loOO.     (Williams.) 


348 


DENTAL  CARIES 


remain  in  approximation,  and  strict  prophylaxis  will  usually  arrest 
the  advance  of  the  process. 

It  is  also  noted  clinically  and  microscopically  that  the  decalcifica- 
tion is  deepest  at  a  spot  just  above  the  point  of  contact,  and  less 
deep  at  points  buccal  or  lingual,  occlusal  or  cervical,  to  this  spot, 
and  still  less  at  points  more  buccal  or  lingual — i.  e.,  it  shades  off  to 
zero  lingually,  bucally,  occlusally,  and  cervically  (Fig.  331).  The 
dentin  may  in  such  cases  be  deeply  affected.  Bacteria  growing  in 
the  spaces  from  which  the  interprismatic  cement  substance  has  dis- 
appeared causes  detachment  of  masses  of  partially  decalcified  rods 
(Figs.  330  and  332). 


Fig.  327 


Section  through  human  enamel,  showing  first  stages  of  caries,   i.  e.,  solution  of  interprismatic 
cement  substance.    To  be  compared  with  Fig.  170.     (Williams.) 


When  the  entire  thickness  of  the  enamel  is  penetrated  and  the 
dentin  attacked  there  is  a  change  in  the  mode  of  progress  of  the 
decalcification,  which  proceeds  along  the  line  of  union  between  the 
enamel  and  dentin,  as  well  as  directly  into  the  dentin  (Fig.  331);  in 
this  way  the  enamel  is  attacked  from  its  dentinal  side  (backward 
caries)  "(Fig.  329). 


PATHOLOGY  AND  MORBID  ANATOMY 


349 


In  the  ultimate  breaking  down  of  the  enamel  the  rods  first  separate; 
the  outlines  of  the  several  globules  of  which  the  rods  are  composed  are 
brought  into  plain  view;  next,  the  calcified  plasmic  strings  noted  in 
enamel  formation  become  evident;  and  finally,  the  bead-Hke  masses 
upon  these  strings  are  left  as  the  ultimate  granular  detritus  of  the 
enamel. 

In  cases  of  rapid  enamel  dissolution  Williams  found  streptococci 
almost  invariably  present;  and  suggests  tentatively  that  the  variety 
of  organism  may  be  the  factor  governing  the  rapidity  of  dissolution 
(Fig.  325). 


Fig.  328 


Section  of  human  bicuspid,  showing  commencement  of  caries:  a  and  a',  appearances  caused 
in  enamel  and  dentin  by  the  acid  of  decay;  b  and  b'^,  shreds  of  a  felt-like  mass  of  bacteria  raised 
from  the  surface  of  the  enamel;  c,  a  cavity.     X  12.     (Williams.) 


These  are  probably  the  Streptococcus  brevis  of  Goadby  (Micro- 
coccus nexifer  of  Miller). 

Williams  found  Streptococcus  pyogenes  albus  and  aureus  and 
Sarcinea  lutea  to  be  acid  producers. 

The  large  cocci  and  diplococci  shown  in  Fig.  333  were  always 
found  in  the  secondary  decay  of  enamel. 

"  In  the  direct  caries  of  enamel  the  cavities  are  lined  with  leptothrix 
and  thread-like  forms." 


350 


DENTAL  CARIES 


"The  Leptothrix  buccalis  maxima  and  the  Bacillus  buccalis 
maximus  of  Miller  are  nearly  always  found,  the  latter  more  spar- 
ingly" (Fig.  326). 


Fig.  329 


Section  of  carious  tooth,  showing  appearances  of  decay  in  enamel  and  dentin  at  the  line  of 
union  of  these  tissues;  the  dark  spots  shown  in  the  enamel  and  dentin  are  masses  of  microorganisms 
X  250.     (Williams.) 

Fig.  330 


Penetration  of  bacilli  between  enamel  prisms  after  solution  of  interprismatic  cement 
substance.    (Miller.) 

Some  of  these  bacteria  are  not  acid  producers,  and  it  may  be  that 
if  a  film  is  composed  entirely  of  these  they  may  occupy  a  field  and 
really  protect  it  by  excluding  acid-forming  bacteria. 


PATHOLOGY  AND  MORBID  ANATOMY 


351 


"Beneath  the  felt-like  masses  of  thread  forms  and  lying  in  contact 
with  the  decomposing  enamel  in  direct  decay,  and  also  in  deep  cracks 
and  fissures  in  secondary  decay,  there  is  invariably  found  a  short, 
thick  bacillus,  usually  constricted  in  the  centre."  (Williams,  also 
Goad  by.) 

Caries  of  Nasmyth's  Membrane. — Miller^  demonstrated  that  the 
enamel  cuticle  may  act  as  a  breeding  ground  for  many  forms  of 
bacteria  which  occupy  it,  forming  a  matrix  which  may  retain  minute 
particles  of  food,  which  in  turn  aid  in  acceleration  of  the  progress 
of  decay  (Fig.  335). 

Fig.  331 


Decalcification  of  enamel  without  loss  of  form:    a,  film.      X  35.     (Miller.) 

Caries  of  Dentin. — The  bacteria  after  penetrating  the  substance 
of  the  enamel  attack  the  dentin.  This  presents  a  different  anatomical 
and  chemical  structure  to  be  acted  upon.  Beneath  the  enamel  the 
first  layer  of  dentin  is  of  a  composition  which  permits  the  bacteria 
to  rapidly  spread  laterally  along  this  zone.  They  also  enter  the 
tubules  of  the  dentin,  and  penetrate  by  multiplication  toward  the 
pulp.    A  wedge-shaped  area  of  decay  is  produced  (Figs.  331  and  337). 


1  Microorganisms  of  the  Human  Mouth,  1890,  and  Dental  Cosmos,  1900. 


352 


DENTAL  CARIES 


In  all  cases  decalcification  precedes  these  invasions.  At  the 
periphery  the  tubules  communicate  freely  by  their  lateral  branches 
(Fig.  336),  and  the  lateral  spreading  of  the  bacteria  by  multiplication 
is  readily  explained. 

It  is  seen  clinically  in  caries  that  a  portion  of  the  dentin  is  abso- 
lutely destroyed  and  removed,  leaving  within  the  tooth  a  "cavity  of 
decay"  bounded  by  dentin  and  enamel  undergoing  disintegration; 


Fig.  332 


Cover-glass  preparation  from  scrapings  of  wiiite,  opaque,  decaying  enamel:  the  cement  sub- 
stance between  the  rods  is  seen  to  be  dissolved  away,  and  the  crevices  thus  formed  are  filled 
with  round  and  oval  forms  of  micrococci  and  bacteria.  Stained  by  the  Gram  method.  X  450. 
(Williams.) 


beneath  this  lies  dentin  less  affected,  and  beneath  this,  sound  dentin 
(Fig.  337).    These  phenomena  require  explanation. 

The  tubules  of  the  decalcified  dentin  become  packed  for  a  distance 
with  bacteria  (Fig.  338).  These  act  upon  the  organic  matrix  of  the 
decalcified  tubule  walls.  The  internal  pressure  due  to  multiplication 
distends  them  so  that  the  lumen  is  enlarged.    At  the  same  time  the 


PATHOLOGY  AND  MORBID  ANATOMY 

Fig.  333 


,t,. 


«w  *-. 


<4  M^-y 


•^' 


m 


r^ 


> 


■r,  v^    ~^>^.  --  „x        . 


X    %/    .J 


353 


Various  forms  of  micrococci  and  bacteria  from  decaying  enamel.     Photographed  by   Mr. 
Andrew  Pringle  from  Williams'  cover-glass  preparation.     X  1000.     (Williams.) 


Fk;^  334 


Cover-glass  preparations  of  scrapings  from  decay  of  enamel;  shows  Leptothrix  buccalis  maxima 
and  Bacillus  buccalis  maximus  of  Miller.     Stained  by  Gram  method.      X  S30.     (Williams.) 

23 


354 


DENTAL  CARIES 


bacteria  excrete  a  ferment  or  ferments  which  cause  the  wall  at  first 
to  thicken.  The  dilatation  and  thickening  together  cause  the  com- 
pression of  the  decalcified  intertubular  substance,  and  the  tubules 
assume  an  hexagonal  shape  owing  to  the  mutual  pressure  (Fig.  339). 
The  phenomenon  is  not  a  vital  one,  as  it  occurs  in  artificial  caries. 
(Miller.) 

Fig.  335 


Enamel  cuticle  permeated  by  bacteria.     (1100  to  1.)     (Miller.) 
Fig.  336 


Carious  dentin,  stained  with  fuchsin  to  show  microorganisms.  The  section  shows  the  con- 
dition of  the  tubules  as  filled  with  microorganisms  along. the  junction  of  the  dentin  with  the  enamel 
at  o.     The  tubules  are  very  much  enlarged.     (l/lO  immersion  objective.)     (Black.)' 


The  bacterial  ferment  possesses  a  digestive  or  peptonizing  power 
analogous  to  trypsin,  and  begins  to  liquefy  the  inner  surface  of  the 


PATHOLOGY  AND  MORBID  ANATOMY 


355 


tubule  wall.  As  it  does  so  the  lumen  is  further  increased  and  the 
bacteria  fill  the  acquired  space.  Taking  up  carbohydrates  lactic 
acid  is  produced,  which  combines  with  the  calcium  salts  of  deeper 
tubules  and  intertubular  substance  and  prepares  a  path  of  dccalci- 


FiG.  337 


Longitudinal  ground-section  through  the  crown  of  an  inferior  molar  of  a  negro:  E,  enamel; 
D,  dentin;  C,  cement;  p,  pulp  chamber;  a,  large  decay,  from  the  occlusal  surface;  6,  small  decay, 
from  the  mesial  surface;  c  s,  cone  of  septic  invasion  and  discoloration;  e,  partially  decalcified  and 
discolored  enamel  around  the  carious  cavity;  z,  dark  cones;  z',  clearer  cones;  z'p.  oldest  cones  where 
putrefaction  of  the  tooth  cartilage  begins;  c,  outer  transparent  zone,  or  zone  of  Tomes;  s  d,  secondary 
dentin,  caused  by  irritation;  s'  d',  secondary  dentin  deposited  by  normal  physiological  process, 
recession  of  the  pulp.  This  figure  is  drawn  from  a  ground  and  polished  section  mounted  in  Canada 
balsam.     (Gysi.) 


356 


DENTAL  CARIES 


jQed  tissue  for  bacterial  advance  (Fig.  340).    This  decalcified  tissue, 
to  all  intents  and  purposes,  becomes  a  culture  medium. 


Fig.  339 


Cross-section  of  decayed  dentin:  the  tubules  through 
reciprocal  pressure  have  assumed  the  shape  of  five-  and  six- 
sided  prisms.     (Miller.) 


This  combination  of  the  acid  with  the 
calcium  salts  disposes  of  or  neutralizes 
the  acid,  which,  if  accumulated  to  the 
strength  of  2  per  cent.,  would  cause  the 
destruction  of  the  bacteria,  by  their  waste 

products.    (Miller.)     Calcium  lactophosphate,  calcium  lactate,  and 

magnesium  lactophosphate  are  produced. 


Carious  dentin,  showing  in- 
vaded tubules  and  uninvaded 
but  decalcified  intertubular  sub- 
stance.    (Miller.) 


Fig.  340 


Section  of  decalcified  dentin  partly  invaded  by  bacteria:  a,  uninvaded  zone.     (Miller.) 


Miller  experimentally  found  that  the  calcium  carbonate  does  so 
neutralize   the   acid   formed   by  formation  of  calcium  lactate,  but 


PATHOLOGY  AND  MORBID  ANATOMY 


357 


the  calcium  phosphate  does  not,  as  it  develops  calcium  lactophos- 
phate,  setting  free  phosphoric  acid,  which  maintains  the  relative 


Fig.  342 


^ 


Liquefaction  foci.     (Miller.) 


Decayed  dentin  showing  a 
mixed  infection  with  cocci  and 
bacilli.     X  400.     (Miller.) 


acidity.  Experimentally  the  addition  of 
calcium  phosphate  to  a  solution  of  lactic 
acid  did  not  reduce  the  decalcification  in 
pieces  of  dentin  placed  in  it,  for  the  reason 
named. 

The    bacterial     ferments    continue     to 
digest  the  wall  of  the  tubule,  and  a  time 

arrives  when  they  have  penetrated  its  substance.  The  intertubular 
substance  is  then  removed  in  like  manner.  The  same  process 
occurring  in  adjoining  tubules  as  well,  the  entire  dentinal  substance 
in  the  particular  area  at  the  cavity  surface  is  destroyed — i.  e., 
liquefied  and  washed  away  (Fig.  337,  a). 

Occurring  at  a  point  beneath  the  general  cavity  surface,  the 
bacteria  in  several  adjoining  tubules  destroy  their  walls  and  the 
intervening  intertubular  substance,  forming  what  Miller  has  called  a 
"liquefaction  focus"  (pi.  foci)  (Fig.  341).  This  action  proceeds  until 
the  enamel  is  undermined  and  the  pulp  is  exposed.  A  decalcified 
area  always  exists  in  advance  of  the  tubule  invasion,  sometimes  large 
masses  being  found,  though  it  lessens  in  quantity  as  the  pulp  is 
approached. 

As  the  enamel  is  undermined  by  the  carious  process  the  bacteria 
and  their  acids  decalcify  its  inner  surface,  the  process  proceeding 


358 


DENTAL  CARIES 


from  within  outward  and  termed  "secondary  caries,"  or  "backward 
caries,"  of  enamel. 

The  enamel  is  thus  weakened  and  at  the  same  time  deprived  of 
dentinal  support,  and  breaks  down  under  stress  of  mastication. 

Any  interglobular  spaces  in  the  dentin  being  filled  with  transi- 
tional or  uncalcified  material  like  the  tubule  walls  are  rapidly  invaded 
by  the  bacteria  during  their  progress  along  the  tubules  (Fig.  343). 

The  character  of  the  organisms  in  the  tubules  and  the  nature  of 
the  liquefaction  seem  to  depend  upon  the  particular  germs  present. 

Miller  has  shown  that  in  the  deeper  portions  of  tubules  micrococci 
appear  to  predominate  over  the  rod  forms,  which  are  also  present; 
although  one  tubule  may  be  filled  with  cocci  and  its  neighbor  with 
rod  forms  (Fig.  342).  It  is  only  in  the  more  superficial  layers  that 
the  thread  forms  are  found  in  numbers. 

Goadby^  has  done  much  interesting  work  in  this  direction,  and 
offers  the  following  classification  of  bacteria  found  in  decayed  dentin : 


Bacteria  of  Dental  Caries 


Acid-forming  Bacteria 


Streptococcus  brevis 
B.  necrodentalis 
Staphylococcus  albus 
Streptococcus  brevis 
Sarcina  lutea 
Sarcina  aurantiaca 
Sarcina  alba  (Eisenberg) 
Staphylococcus  albus    . 
Staphylococcus  aureus 


Deep  layers  of  carious  dentin. 


>  Superficial  layers  of  carious  dentin. 


Bacteria  which  Liquefy  Dentin  (  Decalcified) 


None  isolated  as  yet     .... 
B.  mesentericus  ruber  .... 
,  B.  mesentericus  vulgatus  . 
B.  mesentericus  fuscus 

B.  fervus 

B.  gingivae  pyogenes     .... 
B.  liquefaciens  fluorescens  motilis 

B.  subtilis 

Proteus  Zenkeri 

B.  plexiformis 


Deep  layers  of  carious  dentin. 


Superficial  layers  of  carious  dentin. 


Goadby  states  that  his  experiments  show  that  the  bacteria  which 
dissolve  blood  serum  also  digest  decalcified  dentin,  while  those  which 
only  liquefy  gelatin  do  not  digest  decalcified  dentin. 

His  experiments  also  indicate  that  of  the  bacteria  found  in  the 
superficial  layers  of  carious  dentin  some  produce  digestive  enzymes, 
others  acid  fermentation,  and  others  have  both  functions. 


1  Mycology  of  the  Mouth,  and  Dental  Cosmos. 


PATHOLOGY  AND  MORBID  ANATOMY 


359 


Choquet'  has  confirmed  the  observation  of  Miller,  \'ignal,  (iallipe, 
and  Goadby  that  the  deeper  the  portions  of  dentin  examined  the 
fewer  species  of  fungi  are  found  in  the  tubules,  and  explains  it  upon 
the  ground  that  the  anaerobic  or  facultative  aerobic  organisms  in  the 
outer  layers  advance  into  the  deeper  dentin  because  they  are  better 
suited  to  the  conditions. 

Fig.  343 


'^^ 


Si^^^iS^i' 


7//, 

Interglobular  spaces  filled  with  bacteria.     (Miller.) 

These  exact  findings  are  interesting  as  bearing  out  the  general 
demonstrations  of  Miller;  at  the  same  time,  Miller's  experiment 
showing  absolute  dissolution  by  a  single  bacterium  in  pure  culture  is 
to  be  recalled. 

Choquet-  has  shown  that  dental  caries  may  proceed  under  fillings 
against  sound  dentin  by  the  following  experiment : 

Artificial  cavities  were  prepared  in  the  incisors  of  a  sheep.  In  these 
was  securely  sealed  with  cement  a  small  particle  of  a  gelatin  culture 
of  caries  fungi  applied  on  a  sterilized  platinum  cap.  Nine  months 
later  the  dentin  had  become  yellow,  slightly  decalcified,  and  the 
tubules  penetrated  by  bacteria.  This  softened  dentin  was  used  to 
inoculate  a  portion  of  the  medium  originally  used,  and  the  species 
again  cultivated. 

Milled  estimated  the  relative  loss  of  inorganic  and  organic  matter 
in  dentin  during  the  process  of  caries  by  weighing  and  analyzing 
equal  volumes  of  carious  and  sound  dentin  from  the  same  teeth. 

The  carious  dentin  had  lost  about  seven-ninths  of  its  weight, 
which  was  due  to  the  loss  of  twelve-thirteenths  of  its  original  calcium 
salts  by  decalcification,  and  two-fifths  of  its  original  organic  matter 
by  liquefaction  of  its  substance. 

Tube  Casts. — In  the  zone  of  decalcification  in  advance  of  bacterial 
invasion  of  the  tubes  are  found  rod-shaped  bodies  or  shining  granules, 


'  Microbes  of  Dental  Caries,  Dental  Cosmos,  1900. 
2  Microorganisms  of  the  Human  Mouth, 


•Ibid. 


360  DENTAL  CARIES 

first  described  by  J.  Tomes.  They  occur  in  both  natural  and  artificial 
caries,  hence  it  must  be  inferred  that  their  presence  is  not  the  result 
of  a  vital  process. 

The  rods  do  not  dissolve  in  organic  acids,  but  dilute  sulphuric 
acid  quickly  dissolves  them.     They  are  unaffected  by  alcohol  or 
chloroform,  a  proof  that  they  are  not  composed 
Fig.  344  of  fat.     IMillcr  regards  them  as  probably  calcic 

formations  against  the  tubule  wall  as  a  cast  of 
the  wall,  and  which  become  loosened  when  en- 
largement of  the  tubule  occurs.  They  have  a 
tubular  structure,  are  brittle,  and  may  contain 
a  central  thread-like  filament  which  may  possibly 
be  the  remains  of  a  dentinal  fibril.  Bacteria  may 
surround  them,  but  do  not  enter  them.  The 
granules  are  probably  broken  rods.^  The  data 
Tube  easts.  point  toward    a    probability  that  the    rods  are 

composed  of  calcium  lactate  and  calcium  lacto- 
phosphate,  the  result  of  a  combination  of  lactic  acid  with  the  calcium 
salts  of  the  dentin.  The  resultant  salt  is  probably  deposited  as  a 
tube  cast,  as  suggested  by  Miller.  Polariscopic  experiments  should 
be  competent  to  settle  the  question. 

The  Transparent  Zone. — x\round  the  zone  of  decalcified  uninfected 
dentin  appears  a  zone  of  dentin  more  transparent  than  the  surround- 
ing normal  dentin.  The  zone  extends  from  periphery  to  periphery 
around  the  cone  of  carious  dentin  (Fig.  337,  c).  The  tubules  in  this 
area  contain  granular  matter  not  seen  in  normal  dentin,  nor  in  the 
dentin  of  dead  teeth  in  the  same  situation. ^ 

Tomes  and  ]\Iagitot  both  regarded  the  transparency  as  an  attempt 
made  by  nature  to  impede  the  progress  of  caries.  Walkhoff  regards 
it  as  due  to  a  sclerotic  action,  the  fibrillse  upon  stimulation  producing 
intercellular  substance  (tubule  wall)  at  their  own  expense  and 
primarily  of  their  offshoots.  Black  once  regarded  it  as  the  earliest 
stage  of  decalcification,  but  has  discarded  this  idea.  Miller  advanced 
the  following  data:^ 

1.  Transparency  indicates  increased  homogeneity  as  opposed  to 
the  heterogeneity  of  normal  dentin — i.  e.,  the  coefficients  of  light 
refraction  are  brought  nearer  together. 

2.  It  occurs  in  living  dentin  only  and  is  not  found  in  natural  teeth 
mounted  on  plates  and  decayed  in  the  mouth,  nor  in  secondary  caries 
of  dentin  from  the  pulp  cavity  to  the  periphery,  and  is,  therefore,  a 


1  Miller.  "^  Ibid. 

'  Microorganisms  of  the  Human  Mouth. 


PATHOLOGY  AND  MORBID  ANATOMY 


361 


result  of  vital  action.     (Compare  Figs.  337  and  347  with  Figs.  345 
and  346.) 

3.  The  tubules  have  their  lumen  lessened  in  diameter  in  the  trans- 
parent areas,  an  agreement  with  the  position  of  Walkhoff. 

4.  Secondary  dentin  may  accompany  the  process  in  contiguity 
with  the  area;  moreover,  secondary  dentin  is  translucent.  It  indi- 
cates a  constructive  excitation  of  the  odontoblasts,  of  which  the 
dentinal  fibrils  are  prolongations  (Figs.  337,  Sd). 


Fig.  345 


Section  from  a  lower  incisor  worn  on  a  plate,  extensive  decay  without  increase  of 
transparency.     X  15.    (Miller.) 

5.  Chemical  analysis  proved  that  no  lime  salts  had  been  lost,  and 
it  was  pointed  out  that  a  gain  in  the  percentage  of  salts  was  unneces- 
sary, as  new  dentin  is  necessarily  composed  of  organic  as  well  as 
inorganic  matter,  wherefore  the  analysis  would  not  necessarily  varj' 
from  that  of  normal  dentin. 

6.  It  is  found  in  connection  with  abrasion  of  human  teeth  in  which 
the  activity  of  acid  may  possibly  be  an  open  question,  and  it  also 
occurs  in  the  worn  teeth  of  dogs,  the  saliva  of  which  is  strongly 
alkaline. 

Miller  states  that  opacity  may  follow  or  be  associated  with  trans- 
parency.^ 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  April,  1903. 


362 


DENTAL  CARIES 


The  natural  conclusion  is  that  the  transparency  is  a  form  of 
tubular  calcification,  and  that  it  impedes  the  progress  of  caries;  that 
it  does  not  succeed,  as  a  rule,  is  due  to  the  overwhelming  action  of 
the  bacteria. 

In  cavities  from  which  the  walls  are  broken  away,  freely  exposing 
the  carious  dentin  to  mastication,  the  carious  dentin  and  its  con- 
tained bacteria  may  be  removed  by  friction  (Fig.  355). 

In  the  transparent  area  the  tubules  become  obliterated ;  a  polished, 
discolored  surface  results  resembling  in  degree  an  abraded  surface. 

Fig.  346 


Secondary  caries  of  dentin  advancing  from  pulp  chamber  and  therefore  occurring  after 
death  of  the  pulp.    Absence  of  transparency.     X  15.    (Miller.) 


This  process  is  called  "eburnation,"  and  is  really  tubular  calcifica- 
tion (which  see).  In  the  same  tooth  a  more  sheltered  border  of  this 
spot  may  be  undergoing  the  carious  process.  Miller  records  cases  of 
badly  decayed  teeth  in  which  the  process  ceased  spontaneously  and 
the  dentin  became  hard  and  smooth. 

Pigmentation  in  Caries. — Pigmentation  occurs  in  caries  possibly 
from  extraneous  substances  entering  the  carious  area,  possibly  from 
the  substances  formed  during  putrefaction. 

The  slower  the  progress  of  the  decay  the  greater  the  discoloration. 


PATHOLOGY  AND  MORBID  ANATOMY 


363 


The  colors  vary  from  light  yellow  to  reddish  l)r()wii,  dark  brown, 
and  black. 

The  color  is,  as  a  rule,  darkest  upon  the  outside  of  the  carious 
dentin,  but  the  pigment  may  extend  through  large  masses  and  be 
found  staining  dentin  beneath  the  caries  hard  enough  to  leave  in 
situ.    As  a  rule,  this  is  not  the  case. 

Black  suggests  the  possible  formation  of  sulphids.  Miller  has 
found  iron  almost  constantly  present  in  carious  dentin.  The  dis- 
coloration of  dentin  does  not  seem  to  be  necessarily  due  to  the 
carious  process,  as  it  may  be  seen  in  areas  of  abrasion.    In  a  specimen 

Fig.  347 


Transparency  resulting  from  cracks  in  the  enamel  at  a  and  b.     X  20.     (Miller.) 


possessed  by  the  editor  a  limited  cervical  caries  caused  a  growth  of 
secondary  dentin  and  an  area  of  tubular  calcification.  From  the 
pulpal  surface  of  the  secondary  dentin  to  the  area  of  caries  extends 
a  sharply  defined  area  which  has  a  flesh-rose  color  (Fig.  348).  Many 
areas  of  secondary  dentin  due  to  abrasion  are  stained  a  dark  brown. 

Artificial  caries  produced  in  teeth  placed  in  a  mixture  of  bread 
and  saliva  and  the  mixture  constantly  renewed  was  white.  If  putre- 
faction was  allowed  to  occur,  discolorations  ensued  (Miller). 

The  discolorations  of  carious  dentin  may  be  due  to  the  action  of 
chromogenic  bacteria.    Miller  isolated  from  the  mouth  an  organism 


364  DENTAL  CARIES 

which  he  named  Bacillus  f uscans,  and  "  which,  cultivated  on  the 
surface  of  nutritive  agar-agar,  in  a  few  weeks  imparts  to  the  medium 
a  yellowish-brown  color,  which  gradually  darkens  and  extends 
deeper  into  the  substratum  as  the  age  of  the  culture  increases." 

It  is  significant  that  the  three  acid-forming  organisms  found  by 
Goadby  in  the  deep  layers  of  carious  dentin  do  not  form  pigment 
in  their  artificial  media. 

Caries  of  Cementum. — Caries  of  cementum  occurs  when  the  gum 
has  receded,  exposing  the  cementum  to  the  fluids  of  the  mouth.  As 
a  rule,  a  triangular  depression  exists  bounded  by  the  thickened  gum 
margin,  the  cementum,  and  the  enamel.  This  favors  the  collection 
of  the  bacterial  plaques,  and  caries  follows.  The  gum  may  be  much 
receded,  yet  no  caries  occurs.  As  a  rule,  however,  recession  and 
uncleanliness  frequently  assure  its  presence.  Especially  is  this  true 
in  cases  of  general  recession  in  aged  or  debilitated  persons. 

Fig.  348  ■•      Fig.  349 


Cervical  caries  associated  with  secondary  Caries  of  cementum  and  dentin  com- 

dentin.    Area  pigmented.  pletely  encircling  the  tooth. 

The  path  of  bacterial  invasion  after  decalcification  is  by  way  of 
Sharpey's  fibers  to  the  lacunae  and  canaliculi;  later  the  dentin  is 
invaded  as  in  the  crown.  Frequently  the  form  of  the  cementum  is 
largely  retained,  while  the  decalcification  is  deep. 


CLINICAL  HISTORY  OF  CARIES 

The  clinical  history  of  dental  caries  records  the  observable  phe- 
nomena associated  with  its  inception,  progress,  and  termination. 

Inception  of  Caries. — Caries  begins,  after  the  manner  described 
in  the  pathology,  at  favoring  spots.  As  a  rule,  in  molars  the  occlusal 
fissures  are  first  decayed,  being  often  carious  in  this  situation  before 
fully  erupted.  Uninformed  parents  usually  consider  the  first  perma- 
nent molar  a  temporary  one,  and  frequently  neglect  it.    It  moreover 


CLINICAL  HISTORY  365 

has  often  seriously  defective  fissures  which  afford  lodgement  for 
microbic  plaques,  which  seem  to  be  readily  formed  because  of  the 
unhygienic  state  of  the  temporary  teeth,  which  are  frequently 
carious,  and  the  permanent  molars  are  unbrushed  during  eruption. 
Not  infrequently  a  cavity  is  produced  on  the  mesial  surface  of  this 
tooth  by  a  carious  condition  of  the  distal  surface  of  the  second 
temporary  molar.  In  other  mouths  both  teeth  are  affected  alike, 
owing  to  the  nature  of  the  approximation.  The  relative  liability  of 
the  various  surfaces  of  the  different  teeth  to  caries  may  be  averaged 
for  a  great  number  of  persons,  but  tables  drawn  from  clinical  cases 
may  have  little  application  to  a  particular  individual,  as  peculiarities 
of  local  predisposing  causes  and  personal  habits  modify  the  inception. 
Nevertheless,  such  tables  are  exceedingly  interesting  as  showing  a 
general  relative  liability. 

Charts  have  been  made  by  Black  which  explain  themselves  (Figs. 
350  to  353).  The  figures  given  for  the  buccal  surfaces  of  the  third 
molars  seem  rather  lower  than  those  I  would  feel  warranted  in  giving; 
certainly  after  adult  age  caries  frequently  occurs. 

The  lower  anterior  teeth  are  the  last  of  all  to  be  affected,  and  it  is 
common  to  see  the  six  lower  anterior  teeth  free  from  caries  years 
after  all  of  the  other  teeth  have  been  lost.  This  is  attributable  to 
the  constant  motion  of  the  saliva,  the  presence  of  calculus,  and  to 
the  mechanical  effects  of  tongue  movmeent,  lip  movement,  and 
mastication. 

In  the  temporary  set  the  molars  decay  much  more  frequently  than 
the  incisor  teeth,  partly  because  longer  retained  and  partly  because 
of  the  width  of  their  approximations.  The  pulp  is  readily  exposed 
because  of  its  relatively  larger  size. 

Approximal  cavities  are  frequently  more  broad  than  deep,  and 
present  problems  of  anchorage. 

The  Progress  of  Caries. — The  rapidity  of  progress  of  caries  depends 
upon  the  intensity  of  the  action  of  the  exciting  cause,  the  structure 
of  the  tooth,  and  the  nature  of  the  vital  resistance  offered.  The 
exciting  cause  will  act  most  intensely  in  mouths  ill-cared  for,  and 
containing  much  carbohydrate  debris,  and  these  conditions  being 
equal,  enamel  of  poorer  organization  and  presenting  a  greater  degree 
of  solubility,  in  teeth  presenting  broad  approximations,  will  be  the 
more  rapidly  destroyed.  Caries  does  not  begin  or  spread  under  the 
gum. 

Williams  has  expressed  the  opinion  that,  as  a  rule,  the  process  of 
enamel  destruction  occupies  a  considerable  period  of  time,  a  fact 
which  may  account  for  the  general  lack  of  caries  in  the  temporary 
teeth  until  about  four  or  five  years  of  age. 


366 


DENTAL  CARIES 


Fig.  350 


O 

n  3 

SB    H 

>2 

€0 


3rd. 

MOL^R 

^- 

/— 

2nd. 
Molar 

^ 

/^ 

1 

M 

ST. 
OLAR 

^ 

/— 

2nd 

Bicub 

»id 

V. 

^ 

18T. 

Bicuspid 

^ 

^■ 

Cuspid 

~s 

/— 

LATERAL 

Incisor 

-\ 

^— 

Central 
Incisor 

] 

MESIAL 

BUCCAL 

GRINDING 

PALATiNfc 

DISTAL 

MESIAL 

BUCCAL 

GRINDING 

PALATINE 

DISTAL 

MESIAL 

BUCCAL 

GRINDING 

PALATINE 

DISTAL 

MESIAL 

BUCCAL 

GRINDING 

PALATINE 

DISTAL 

mesial 

BUCCAL 
GRINDING 
PALATINE 
DISTAL 

mesial 

BUCCAl 
INCISIVE 
PALATINE 
DISTAL 

mesial 

BUCCAL 
INCISIVE 
PALATINE 
DISTAL 

> 

1 

>  i 

-  < 

2   m 

2  1 

M       •      1     J 

■■■■         "  ■       ' 

- 

!  J    '    !    ■ 

t 

'    i- 

_,iU: 

— 

i 

;  i   1 

- 

-" 

— 1 ■ 

— ' 

'■■    i 

1 



\~'  J 

-1 

-. 

, 

- 

~ 

-- 

i  n1 

1 

1 

— 

_^ 

I'll 

~- 

1 

' 

- 

.. 

1 

1         i 

— 

j 

^                     1 

- 

.     1 

--- 

~ 

— 

1 

'     [        1 

,  .^, 

,   , 

' 

— r- 

-i ^-- 

~ 

1    ' 

*   i              j 

^^ 

^ 

_l    '' 

■ !■ 

1 

' 

;^^^  _ 

Ei 

.^ 

1      ■      ! 

; 

1 

1^ 

^ 

i 

P 

1     " 

■    :    1    1 

S 

8 

i 

i      i      ; 

1          ■      ;     ! 

^^ 

j    ; 

, 

i 

K, 

■  ^ 

>   1 

1 

' 

^1 

#  - 

k 

M 

^ 

1 

,         1         . 

' 

'      1 

i        1 

^ 

tSS« 

_j 

1 

^ 

e 

1 

^ 

1 

1 

j 

^ 

i    1       ' 

!            i      i 

1 

5^ 

.f 

! 

>      i      ! 

L-- 

H 

s^ 

'         1 

1      ■      1 

'      '      1 

^ 

III 

I    ! 

i 

1 

1    i    ;    1 

i      1      1      1 

1    1 

i 

V" 

\        .    ':■ 

1         i 

i    1    ■    ; 

1 

;    1    1 

! 

! 

'■€ 

' 

1       i        1       ! 

1 

!    !    i 

i 

1 

^i\ 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1     1     1 

H     1 

1 

U, 

p 

0 
b 

C 

•<» 

N 

< 

0, 

iu 

!;; 

0 

c, 

b    1 J 

b 

b 

p 

p 
■SI 

b 

^ 

d 
b 

p 

0- 
b- 

Cj 

b- 

b 

C 

b- 

Co 

0 

b 

0, 

0 

b- 

<> 

Co 

b 

Co 

|0 

b- 

V 
C, 

Co 

b- 

These  charts  represent  the  number  of  carious  cavities  observed  in  one  hundred  persons,  and  the 
position  of  these  canities  on  the  individual  surfaces  of  the  teeth.  There  are  five  columns  of  squares 
devoted  to  each  tooth  of  one  .side  of  the  mouth,  representing  the  five  surfaces  as  shown  on  the 
left  hand.  The  number  of  cavities  in  the  surface  represented  is  shown  by  the  number  of  squares 
darkened,  so  that  the  efJect  of  the  diagram  as  a  whole  gives  a  striking  picture  of  the  frequency 
of  decay  in  the  individual  surfaces  of  the  several  teeth.  On  the  right  the  percentage,  or  the  number 
per  hundred  persons,  is  given  in  figures  calculated  to  the  first  decimal  point.  On  the  left  the  per- 
centage of  cavities  in  the  individual  teeth  for  all  surfaces  is  given  in  the  same  way.  The  cavities 
occurring  on  one  side  of  the  mouth  only  are  represented.     And  only  one  decay  in  an  individual 


CLINICAL  HISTORY 
Fig.  351 


367 


o 

r   I 
L   Z 

5  o 


r 

3rd. 
Molar 

-^ 

^ 

2nd. 
Molar 

^ 

1st. 
Molar 

^ 

^ 

2no. 
Bicuspio 

~N 

^ 

1st. 
Bicuspid 

^ 

c 

USPIO 

■"s 

^ 

Lateral 
Incisor 

^ 

Central 
Incisor 

^ 

MESIAL 

BUCCAL 

GRINDING 

LINGUAL 

DISTAL 

MESIAL 

BUCCAL 

GRINDING 

LINGUAL 

DISTAL 

MESIAL 

BUCCAL 

GRh-IDIiNG 

LINCjUAL 

DISTAL 

MESIAL 

BUCCAL 

GRINDING 

LINGUAL 

DISTAL 

MESIAL 

BUCCAL 

GRINDING 

LINGUAL 

DISTAL 

MESIAL 

BUCCAL 

INCISIVE 

LINGUAL 

DISTAL 

MESIAL 

BUCCAL 

INCISIVE 

LINGUAL 

DISTAL 

BUCCAL 
INCISIVE 
LINGUAL 
DISTAL 

2 
> 

'$ 

% 

^ 

^A    \     : 

mJ 

■       1 

'. 

T    rb 

1=^1 

-i- 

~'"H 

J    L4- 

' 

,'  ■     |_ 

! 

"■_i- 

1..^ 

_    ;_  J_.. 

■       ^^^ 

= 

— 

— 

i 

j 

1           J 

, 

l« 

- 

- 

— !-    i  —1 

- 

' 

1 

k> 

~ 

-- 

=j_._ 

■t 

!    1 

-J 

!^ 

' 

\    t 

u- 

i     1     1 

! 

!      1 

1 

.  1 

\     i 

^ 

1     i 

'.     :  i 

:   ! 

j 

i 

!    1 

O 

~ 

1 

1    i 

i 

1 

1 

i      i 

''\"'' 

. 

j 

— 1 

j       1       i 

J  i 

<-. 

t                    I 
I 

1 

^, 

t    : 

^ 

! 

•    • 

,    ! 

1     i 

;  : 

i 

M 

'— ! 

j 

1 

1 

lit! 

j 

i 

N, 

-t^^- 

1       ,       , 

■_1     J 

' 

^ 

, 

1    I   :   ; 

1         i 

^ 

i         1 

1 

1    ,     i 

t,. 

!^     I 

o 

1 

i 

^    : 

i 

'        ^ 

1 

U, 

l\)    O     O    Cu     lo   -v 


•^    Co  c-   o 
b  b  C,    b 


b-s»   bbbCjCcbviCiC,   bb   covjb-^bCjC,C|Cobuvjb 


surface  is  counted;  that  is,  if  two  or  more  pits  are  found  decayed  in  the  grinding  surface  of  a  molar, 
but  one  is  counted;  and  the  same  rule  is  followed  with  all  of  the  surfaces. 

Charts  Nos.  1  and  2  (upper  and  lower  jaw)  are  made  up  from  my  records  of  fillings  for  628 
persons  of  all  ages,  and,  therefore,  repre.sent  what  is  seen  in  practice  rather  than  the  actual  number 
that  may  occur. 

Charts  Nos.  3  and  4  (upper  and  lower  jaw)  are  made  from  100  of  my  own  patients  between  the 
ages  of  ten  and  twenty-five  years,  for  whom  I  have  filled  all  cavities  and  know  the  condition  at 
present.  They  represent  the  actual  number  of  cases  in  which  the  individual  surfaces  have  decayed 
m  these  100  persons.    (Black.) 


368 


DENTAL  CARIES 


The  decalcified  enamel  may  retain  its  form  for  a  time  after  dentin 
decalcification  has  begun.  An  opaque  spot,  often  discolored,  is 
seen  upon  the  tooth,  and  is  readily  broken  down  by  an  instrument 
before  dentin  decalcification  occurs.    If  the  approximating  tooth  be 


Fig.  352 


O 

c   I 

3  > 

,!^    =D 

3  ^ 

1? 

^ 

■■-?*- 

u 

■-JJ3. 

3rd. 
Molar 

2nd. 
Molar 

-- 

^ 

M 

ST. 
OLAR 

^ 

/- 

2nd. 
Bicuspid 

-N 

/^ 

1 

Bic 

o 

ST 
USPID 

^ 

/-' 

Cuspid 

-N 

Lateral 
Incisor 

^ 

/- 

Central 
Incisor 

o 

H 
> 

> 
> 

H 

o 

z 

m 

c 

> 

s 
> 

D 

H 
> 

r 

> 
> 

H 

m 

o 

2 
> 

> 

r 

> 
> 

O 

to 

c 

> 

> 

r 

o 

H 
> 

> 
> 

5 

o 

z 

c 
> 

2 
> 

> 

> 

> 

O 
z 

c 
> 

3 
> 

> 

> 
> 

2 

< 

C 

o 

> 

2 
> 

> 

> 
> 

< 

c 

> 

S 
> 

g 

> 

-□ 
> 

> 

z 

o 

m 

ID 

3 
> 

' 

I. 

-J 

— 

• 

£. 

- 

-- 

^ 

' 

- 

„- 

: 

- 

L 

^ 

<ff.. 

^ 

^r 

fi 

^ 

J- 

— 

1 

_ 

- 

te 

i 

V 

— 

^ 

^ 

^^ 

^\' 

* 

- 

te 

^ 

^ 

^1 

^? 

1 

__ 

1 

,>v 

Jiv^ 

\ 

:)i^ 

%-~ 

» 

^v 

^^ 

^ 

- 

^ 

- 

■^  ^ 

\s\ 

- 

^' 

~ 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

In' 

« 

1 

^<"^ 

c^ 

^ 

1 

^^ 

^ 

^ 

■■ 

■■' 

1 

N 

^ 

#! 

^ 

bbC>CbO,ciCf,C,    bo    bC\C^bbbbC,d    bbC,bO,CbbbC,    bbCiC>C>OibC,C,pi 


CLINICAL  HISTORY 


369 


extracted  the  carious  process  may  cease,  owing  to  the  removal  of 

the  bacterial  plaque  or  a  lack  of  food  supply  (retention).   This  result 

may  not  follow  if  the  dentin  has  been  invaded  before  the  extraction. 

After  enamel  destruction  at  a  limited  area,  caries  progresses  along 


Fig.  353 


O 


/^ 


/^ 

3rd. 
Molar 

^ 

/^ 

2 
M 

ND. 
OLAR 

1 

M 

ST. 
3LAR 

^ 

2nd. 
Bicuspid 

^ 

1st- 

BlCUSFID 

^ 

CU£P 

= 

^ 

/^ 

Lateral 
Incisor 

^ 

Central 
Incisor 

^ 

> 

z 
> 

z 

CI 

c 

o 
> 

> 

1    1 

2-1 

en  1  z 

H    <r 
>    c 
r-    > 

Z 

z 
o 

> 

s 
> 

> 

z 

c 
> 

2     r-     "^ 

O     1- 

•-  > 

o 

z 

n   2 
>   > 

> 

r;  1  o 
z    ? 
r  .  z 

c  1  c 

2 

2 

> 

> 

z 

c 
> 

< 

CD 

c 
> 

2 
> 

> 

z 
o 

c 
> 

2 

> 

2 
> 

D 

H 
> 

z 

2 

CD 

2 

2 
> 

Co 

■" 

"Z 

- 

n 

i 

.L_ 

~ 

J    ; 

.... 

1 

— 



! 

- 

1 

i 

_„ 

o, 

■" 

4v. 

!       I       i       :  . 

i 

- 

- 

- 

s 

1 

^ 

- 

^_ 

> 

\ 

- 

f» 

k^ 

'^ 

1 

-^ 

- 

- 

- 

^ 

L 

1 

_ 

1 



U. 

Lijk,       t\)      t^iu'oL^,      vio-co^      <.r,.s,s      •^K.s^        ..'J.V-'...^^...V' 
bb    bbCnC.   b    bbC.i>^ibC,bb    Cibbi^b    bbbbCr,i^booO,ucc    ot^oc   oo    o 


24 


'0 


DENTAL  CARIES 


its  inner  side  and  penetrates  the  dentin.  The  enamel  is  undermined. 
The  extent  of  cavity  orifice  is  no  certain  guide  as  to  the  depth  of 
penetration.  The  under  surface  of  the  enamel  then  decalcifies.  This 
is  backward  or  secondary  decay  of  enamel,  and  causes  an  opaque 
appearance  of  the  undermined  enamel. 

Cases  are  frequently  observed  in  which  the  only  external  evidence 
of  caries,  in  a  molar  or  bicuspid,  is  a  white  or  bluish-black  line  marking 
the  fissure,  and  yet  the  dentin  may  be  deeply  and  widely  penetrated 
(Fig.  355,  .4). 


Fig.  354 


Caries  undermining  enamel:  a,  masses  of  bacteria  lining  the  cavity.     X  -50.     (Miller.) 

As  a  rule,  however,  as  the  cavity  in  the  dentin  enlarges  the  enamel 
at  the  orifice  becomes  disintegrated,  so  that  the  orifice  is  enlarged 
and  more  food  debris  enters  to  accelerate  the  process  (Fig.  337).  A 
deep  and  wide  cavity  may  thus  be  formed  before  the  patient  is 
objectively  or  even  subjectively  aware  of  its  existence.  After  a 
time  the  occlusal  enamel  boundary  of  the  cavity  breaks  down  and 
food  is  even  more  readily  admitted. 

It  has  been  noted  that  if  the  enamel  break  away  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  expose  the  carious  dentin  to  the  friction  of  food  masses  which 


CLINICAL  HISTORY  371 

are  not  retained  and  to  the  access  of  saliva,  the  progress  of  the  caries 
is  delayed  and  in  some  cases  ceases  altogether.  The  process  of 
eburnation  is  set  up.  (See  Transparent  Zone  and  Tubular  Calci- 
fication.)    (Fig.  355,  B.) 

The  process  is  sometimes  seen  in  certain  cases  in  which  caries 
has    followed    the    dento-enamel    junction, 
the    enamel    chipping    off    as    undermined,  ^  ^ 

so  that  almost  the  entire  superficial  portion 
of  the  dentin  may  be  subjected  to  this  pro- 
cess and  remain  of  original  form  and  dis- 
colored and  eburnated.  This  is  "spreading 
caries."  In  other  cases  the  tubules  are 
followed  and  the  pulp  is  rapidly  approached. 
This  is  "penetrating  caries." 

Caries  may  progress  rapidly  for  a  period,  and  then  receive  a  check 
to  its  progress.  Teeth  previously  free  from  the  disease  may  suddenly 
fall  victims  to  its  rapid  and  widespread  progress.  No  doubt,  in  many 
of  these  cases  there  are  removed  from  or  added  to  the  local  oral 
conditions,  constitutional  influences  which  deter  or  favor  the  local 
development  of  caries  producing  bacteria.  The  editor  has  the  models 
of  the  jaws  of  a  boy,  aged  fourteen  years,  with  every  tooth  but  three 
decayed  to  the  gum,  and  the  three  teeth  contained  six  cavities. 

Secondary  dentin  is  less  readily  decalcified  than  primary  dentin. 

The  dentin  of  pulpless  teeth  is  more  rapidly  invaded  after  enamel 
decalcification  than  that  of  vital  teeth,  owing  to  the  absence  of  vital 
resistance.  This  condition  does  not  necessarily  apply  to  the  enamel 
of  pulpless  teeth. 

While  caries  appears  at  all  ages  from  childhood  to  old  age,  its 
ra\-ages  are  most  pronounced  and  its  progress  most  rapid  during  the 
period  of  adolescence  and  early  maturity.  Its  effects  are  most 
marked  between  the  ages  of  eight  and  twenty-five  years.  As  a  rule, 
a  denture  which  remains  at  twenty-five  years  unaffected  by  caries, 
remains  unaffected  or  but  slightly  affected  to  an  indefinite  age.  To 
be  sure,  this  implies  two  conditions:  (1)  That  the  active  causes  of 
caries  have  been  in  but  slight  evidence,  and  (2)  that  the  denture  is 
of  the  highest  order.  The  classes  of  dentures  which  escape  are  per- 
fectly formed  and  symmetrically  arranged  teeth,  in  the  mouths  of 
patients  who  lead  sanitary  lives  and  care  for  the  teeth,  who  masticate 
vigorously,  and  who  escape  other  diseases.  Very  filthy  dentures 
may  escape,  owing,  as  stated,  to  putrefaction. 

Caries  beginning  at  the  junction  of  the  cementum  and  enamel  of 
the  teeth  has  a  somewhat  different  clinical  history  from  that  noted 
when  its  occurrence  is  in  other  situations.    Its  progress  is  subject  to 


372  DENTAL  CARIES 

great  variations.  In  any  of  the  catarrhal  conditions  or  atrophic 
conditions  of  the  gum  which  lay  bare  the  neck  cementum,  caries 
usually  occurs.  It  occurs  also  as  a  process  secondary  to  labial 
abrasion  and  erosion  of  the  teeth.  Teeth  affected  by  erosion,  however, 
at  the  ended  area  are  commonly  exempt  from  dental  caries. 

The  Terminations  of  Caries. — After  the  pulp  is  exposed  it  sooner 
or  later  becomes  inflamed  and  hypertrophies  or  dies.  In  the  latter 
case  putrefaction  results,  which  for  a  time  may  exert  a  restraining 
influence  upon  decay,  but  not  for  a  long  time. 

Masses  of  food  freely  enter  the  pulp  cavity  and  caries  proceeds  in 
the  dentin  from  within  toward  the  periphery.  This  is  "secondary 
caries"  of  dentin,  and  as  it  occurs  in  dentin  without  vitality,  no 
transparency  results  (Fig.  346).  Notwithstanding,  caries  at  this 
stage  proceeds  rather  slowly,  particularly  if  the  crown  be  much 
broken  down.  The  result  of  secondary  caries  is  a  hollowing  out  of 
dentin  of  the  root,  and  finally  a  decalcification  of  the  cementum, 
which  may  persist  for  some  time  as  a  thin,  elastic  wall.  Finally  this 
is  destroyed  either  at  the  occlusal  periphery  or  caries  causes  pene- 
tration to  the  pericemental  tissue.  This  may  occur  laterally  or 
through  to  the  bifurcation  of  the  roots.  In  either  case  it  is  called 
"perforation  by  caries."  Into  this  perforation  the  pericemental 
tissue  may  become  protruded  by  hypertrophy,  and  the  condition 
of  hyperplastic  or  fungous  gum  be  established.  Following  the 
breaking  down  of  the  crown,  the  blood  pressure  in  the  pericementum 
begins  an  extrusive  process,  the  pericementum  becomes  thickened, 
and  the  tooth  is  somewhat  loosened. 

Decay  of  the  root  face  and  interior  and  breakage  of  the  cemental 
margins  proceed  simultaneously  with  the  extrusion  until  finally  but 
a  small  discolored  bit  of  the  root  end  lies  upon  the  surface  of  the 
gum,  from  which  it  is  removed  by  some  slight  force  or  is  extracted. 

The  entire  process  of  caries  in  a  tooth  may  thus  extend  over  a 
period  of  from  ten  to  twenty  years. 

At  times  the  extrusive  force  pushes  a  root  up  sidewise,  particularly 
when  the  tooth  has  been  tipped  over  before  the  loss  of  the  crown. 
It  may  thus  be  retained  in  position  and  attached  upon  its  under  side 
for  some  time.  The  upper  side  may  be  polished  by  abrasion.  The 
exposed  end  of  a  root  undergoing  extrusion  is  also  sometimes  made 
smooth  by  abrasion.  A  bit  of  root  left  in  situ  after  breakage  during 
extraction  usually  undergoes  the  same  process  of  extrusion,  but  may 
not  decay  until  it  comes  under  oral  influences.  Usually  a  sinus  leads 
to  such  a  root,  but  very  rarely  the  gum  may  heal  over  it. 

Such  a  root  may  at  any  time  become  the  source  of  apical  abscess 
or  of  an  intractable  neuralgia,  the  cause  being  only  determinable 
by  radiography. 


CHAPTER    XIII 

DENTAL   CARIES:     DIAGNOSIS,   SYMPTOMS,  AND   PROGNOSIS 

HYPERSENSITIVE  DENTIN  AND  ITS  THERAPEUTICS 

Diagnosis  of  Dental  Caries 

The  diagnosis  of  dental  caries  is  made  through  both  objective  and 
subjective  symptoms.  The  signs  are  the  existence  of  cavities  and 
of  softened  areas,  directly  visible  or  made  evident  through  instru- 
mental means.  The  symptoms  are  pains  of  several  degrees  of  inten- 
sity. The  nature  and  intensity  of  the  pains  furnish  a  guide  to  the 
depth  of  the  carious  invasion,  and  but  an  indirect  indication  of  the 
location  of  the  disease. 

Diagnosis  by  Objective  Symptoms. — The  presence  of  the  markings 
of  superficial  decay,  decalcified  surfaces,  or  cavities  may  often  be 
detected  at  a  glance  or  be  seen  reflected  in  a  mouth  mirror.  Opacity 
of  enamel  is  usually  due  to  its  superficial  decalcification  or  caries 
beneath  it,  though  at  times  a  malformation  may  exist.  The  dis- 
coloration or  opacity  about  a  fissure  should  excite  suspicion  of 
caries.  In  the  routine  examination  for  cavities,  sharp,  finely  pointed 
explorers  bent  at  various  angles  are  to  be  passed  over  all  the  surfaces 
of  the  teeth.  If  the  enamel  at  any  point  admit  the  point  of  the 
explorer,  caries  is  usually  present.  Fissures  are  sometimes  deceptive 
in  this  respect.  A  good  rule  is  to  adjudge  the  presence  of  caries 
when  the  point  catches  slightly  as  removed.  It  is  well  to  remember 
in  this  connection  that  an  unsuspected  adjunct  fissure  will  often 
contain  beneath  it  caries  deeper  than  the  central  point  judged 
defective. 

In  the  search  for  approximal  caries  great  care  is  required,  explorers 
with  very  short  points  being  often  necessary,  as  long  points  will  not 
turn  into  the  cavity  owing  to  the  close  contact.  Frequently  a  cavity 
may  only  be  discoverable  from  one  point  of  access,  so  that  the 
approximal  surfaces  should  be  examined  both  from  the  labial  and 
lingual  sides.  In  the  absence  of  evident  cavities,  some  force  should 
be  applied  to  detect  softened  spots  of  enamel.  The  catching  of  the 
explorer  upon  both  teeth,  after  it  has  passed  through  the  interspace, 
often  simulates  the  catch  in  a  cavity. 


374 


DENTAL  CARIES 


Kia   -Arte 


Fig.  357 


Explorer  for  cari> 
(Jack.i) 


Dow  electric  lamp  for  mouth  illumination,  with  reflectors. 
Reflector  A  is  jointed  to  vary  the  angle  of  reflection. 
KcHector  B  is  for  illumination  of  the  fauces.  Reflector  C 
is  for  lateral  illumination.     (Jack.2) 

Unwaxed  floss  silk  passed  over  carious 
surfaces  indicates  a  rough  surface  by 
fraying.  It  may,  however,  at  times  pass 
readily  over  a  cavity  easily  detected  by 
instruments;  so  that  it  is  not  absolutely 
reliable  as  a  test. 

The  strong  light  of  an  electric  mouth 
I  lamp  transmitted  through  the  teeth  ex- 
hibits a  cavity  as  an  opaque  spot  outlined 
upon  a  pinkish  background.  It  not  only 
permits  an  easy  diagnosis,  but  also  affords 
evidence  of  the  depth  of  penetration. 
Mechanical  separators  or  wedges  are  at 
times  necessary  to  press  apart  contiguous 
teeth  sufficiently  to  admit  exploring  in- 
struments. 

The  necks  of  the  teeth  should  be 
examined  with  sharp  points  to  note  any 
softness  of  the  tooth  tissues.  The  mar- 
gins, particularly  the  cervical  and  neigh- 
boring margins,  of  every  filling  should  be 
explored  to  test  the  integrity  of  the  junc- 
tion of  filling  and  tooth  or  any  excess  or 
deficiency  of  filling  material. 

The  examination  should  be  conducted 
by  one  of  two  systematic  methods.  In 
one  method  the  occlusal  faces  of  all  the 
teeth  are  first  examined  in  one  survey,  then 
the  interproximal  spaces,  and  lastly,  the 


'  American  Text-book  of  Operative  Dentistry. 


2  Ibid. 


HYPERSENSITIVE  DENTIN  AND  ITS  THERAPEUTICS     375 

buccal  and  lingual  surfaces  of  the  teeth.  In  the  other  method 
every  portion  of  each  tooth  is  examined,  beginning  with  a  central 
incisor  or  terminal  molar,  before  passing  to  the  adjoining  tooth.  Any 
cavity  or  condition  found  should  be  noted  upon  a  diagram  for  refer- 
ence at  sittings. 

Diagnosis  by  Subjective  Symptoms. — Complaints  by  patients 
that  cold  or  hot,  salt,  sweet,  or  acid  substances  taken  into  the  mouth 
cause  unlocalized  or  partly  localized  pain  indicate  exposed  and 
hypersensitive  dentin  or  pulp  exposure.  Such  complaint  is  to  have 
due  consideration. 

Pain  beginning  without  the  application  of  special  stimuli  is  like- 
wise ordinarily  connected  with  caries  or  its  sequelae,  and  should  be 
taken  into  account. 

Pain  produced  upon  mastication  has  either  the  same  significance 
or  is  a  symptom  of  pericemental  irritation. 


Prognosis  of  Caries 

If  existing  caries  be  promptly  treated  in  youth  and  a  proper  sys- 
tematic prophylaxis  be  employed,  its  recurrence  during  youth  may 
be  largely  prevented.  At  about  adult  age  a  fair  degree  of  immunity 
may  be  expected.  In  the  absence  of  treatment  or  prophylaxis  the 
exciting  causes  seem  to  become  very  active,  and  many  teeth  may  be 
lost  from  caries  or  by  reason  of  extraction  for  pulp  and  pericemental 
diseases.    Extraction  itself  brings  many  evils  in  its  train. 

Even  advanced  caries  may  be  checked  by  proper  filling  or  crown- 
ing, and  if  then  prophylaxis  receive  due  attention  the  prognosis 
for  the  teeth  is  generally  good;  indeed,  it  seems  as  though  but  few 
conditions  exist  dependent  upon  caries  alone  which  are  not  subject 
to  correction  by  some  of  the  means  within  the  resources  of  the 
profession. 

Hypersensitivity  of  Dentin 

The  exposure  of  dentin  to  external  agencies  is  so  commonly 
followed  by  an  increase  in  sensitivity  that  the  condition  requires 
description  in  itself.  It  is  a  general  condition  attendant  upon 
abrasion,  erosion,  and  caries,  and  has  a  therapeutics  of  its  own. 

The  term  sensitive  dentin  applied  to  this  condition  is  a  misnomer; 
all  vital  dentin  is  sensitive,  and  its  degree  of  sensitivity  diflFers 
markedly  in  individuals;  it  is  only  when  hypersensitivity  is  observed 
that  the  condition  becomes  pathological. 

Hypersensitivity  of  dentin  may  be  defined  as  such  a  degree  of 


376  DENTAL  CARIES 

sensitiveness  of  the  dentinal  fibrils  as  interferes  with  the  comfortable 
excavation  and  shaping  of  a  cavity  of  decay;  or  which,  in  the  absence 
of  dental  ministrations,  causes  painful  symptoms,  as  a  rule,  reflected 
about  neighboring  parts. 

Causes  and  Pathology. — Normally  the  dentin  is  protected  from 
external  agencies  by  the  enamel,  and  in  the  early  stages  of  gum 
recession  by  the  cementum,  though  it  has  been  shown  that  in  some 
cases  the  dentin  is  not  covered  by  either.    (See  p.  165.) 

With  the  removal  of  these  coverings  by  caries,  erosion,  abrasion,  or 
fracture,  the  terminal  filaments  of  the  dentinal  fibrils  become  sub- 
jected to  sudden  variations  of  temperature  ranging  from  a  little 
above  32°  F.,  the  temperature  of  ice-water,  to  130°  F.,  that  of  very 
hot  foods  or  liquids. 

These  thermal  stimuli  at  times  give  evidence  of  their  effect  by 
producing  painful  sensations.  The  pulp  is  stimulated  through  the 
odontoblasts  and  their  relations  with  the  terminals  of  sensory  nerves 
in  the  pulp,  and  a  degree  of  vascular  overfulness  occurs  which  may 
be  denominated  mild  hyperemia.  The  effect  of  these  reactions  is  to 
cause  the  sensory  functions  of  the  pulp  to  become  somewhat  exalted, 
and  it  therefore  becomes  more  responsive  to  the  stimuli. 

Apart  from  the  effect  of  thermal  changes,  other  substances  act  as 
irritants.  The  lactic  acid  and  other  bacterial  products  in  the  cavity 
of  decay  without  doubt  play  a  part  in  exalting  the  irritability  of  the 
fibrils.  A  slightly  loosened  filling  holds  the  acid  in  contact,  as  such 
cases  are  often  very  sensitive.  Salt,  sweet,  or  acid  substances  intro- 
duced into  the  mouth  are  also  evidently  irritant,  as  active  symptoms 
follow  their  application  to  hypersensitive  dentin. 

Mechanical  abrasion  or  erosion  may  irritate  the  fibrils,  or  at  least 
expose  them  to  the  action  of  other  irritants.  As  a  rule,  however,  the 
abraded  or  eroded  surfaces  are  protected  from  hypersensitivity  by 
the  process  of  eburnation.    (See  Transparent  Zone.) 

The  scraping  of  necks  of  teeth  with  scalers  sometimes  induces 
exposure  of  dentin.  Within  cavities  of  decay  the  hypersensitivity 
is  greatest,  as  a  rule,  at  the  dentinal  periphery.  That  at  this  point 
the  dichotomous  endings  of  the  tubules  present  a  greater  number 
of  fibrils  to  the  action  of  the  irritant  is  quite  evident.   (See  p.  167.) 

In  cervical  hypersensitivity  the  cementum  or  enamel  is  removed 
by  abrasion,  erosion,  or  caries,  and  the  fibrils  are  exposed.  The 
presence  of  the  granular  layer  of  Tomes  in  this  situation,  and  the 
possibility  of  this  layer  containing  the  expansions  of  the  fibrils,  are 
to  be  considered. 

In  certain  cases  the  irritation  excited  by  the  touch  of  an  instrument 
to  dentin  adjacent  to  enamel  is  carried  to  the  pulp  by  anastomosing 


HYPERSENSITIVE  DENTIN  AND  ITS  THERAPEUTICS     377 

dentinal  fibrils.    This  was  proved  by  a  few  cases,  of  which  the  follow- 
ing is  an  extreme  one: 

In  a  central  incisor  secondary  dentin  had  filled  a  portion  of  the 
pulp  cavity  (Fig.  358,  SD).  Caries  had  subsequently  removed  the 
incisal  portion  of  this  secondary  growth  and  also  the  dentin  con- 
taining fibrils  leading  from  the  pulp  cavity  to  the  middle  of  the 
incisal  edge.  The  application  of  an  excavator 
to  dentin  in  the  incisal  portion  of  the  cavity 
(at  A),  the  fibrils  of  which  could  have  no 
direct  relation  with  the  pulp,  produced 
flashes  of  pain.  This  was  unmistakably  of 
the  character  of  hypersensitive  dentin. 

A  professional  friend  claimed  to  feel  sensi- 
tivity in  a  cervicolingual  cavity  of  a  molar 
in  which  the  filaments  had  been  destroyed 
by  suppuration  for  one-third  of  the  length 
of  the  canals.  If  his  contention  was  true,  indirect  transmission  of 
the  sensation  must  have  been  conducted  by  ZZtZ Zntin'7^ d!111'- 
way  of  the  granular  layer  of  Tomes  to  the  ondary  dentin;  a,  point  of 
level  of  the  pulp  and  thence  by  the  fibrils  to  tTtLT"'"'*'''  ^°''"'''"' 
its  substance. 

Spots  of  cervical  hypersensitivity  have  been  occasionally  recorded 
as  occurring  in  teeth  the  canals  of  which  have  been  filled. 

Head^  records  a  case  in  which  the  dentin  bounding  the  pulp  canal 
remained  hypersensitive  for  a  year  after  the  pulp  was  removed.  In 
this  connection  the  possibility  of  the  presence  of  a  vital  pulp  filament 
in  the  pulp  canal,  or  of  irritable  apical  tissue  receiving  the  impact  of 
liquid  forced  down  upon  it  by  a  canal  probe,  or  of  a  pericementum 
irritable  to  touch  of  any  sort,  must  all  have  due  differentiation.  I 
have  never  seen  a  case  of  hypersensitivity  of  dentin  in  which  some 
filament  of  pulp  was  not  present  in  at  least  a  part  of  the  tooth. 

Dentin  cannot  become  infiamed  in  the  ordinary  sense,  as  leukocytes 
cannot  enter  the  tubules;  nevertheless,  the  irritability  of  the  fibrils, 
like  that  of  other  protoplasm,  may  be  exalted  (or  lessened).  It  has 
been  noted  that  during  excavation  of  a  cavity  the  irritability  is,  as 
a  rule,  greatest  at  the  surface  of  the  dentin — i.  e.,  at  the  point  at 
which  irritants  are  present  in  greatest  amount  and  the  fibrils  most 
numerous. 

With  hypersensitivity  other  functions  are  increased,  and  in  con- 
ditions producing  a  constant  stimulation  a  constructive  change  may 

»  Dental  Cosmos,  1899. 


378  DENTAL  CARIES 

occur  and  the  fibrils  form  tubular  substances  at  their  own  expense. 
(See  Transparent  Zone  and  Tubular  Calcification.) 

That  the  hypersensitivity  is  primarily,  as  a  rule,  a  disease  of  the 
fibrils  involved  or  of  the  fibrils  and  their  odontoblasts  is  shown  by 
the  fact  that  occasionally  of  two  cavities  in  the  same  tooth  one  will 
present  a  hypersensitivity  and  another  none;  again,  one  part  of  a 
cavity  may  be  hypersensitive  and  the  rest  not  so.  In  other  cases 
perfectly  normal  dentin  is  hypersensitive,  as  noted  when  the  attempt 
is  made  to  reduce  a  sound  tooth  for  bridge-work  or  a  sound  fissure 
is  opened  for  prevention  of  decay. 

There  are  two  theories  accounting  for  the  transmission  of  the 
impulse  which  is  translated  by  the  patient  as  pain:  (1)  That  a  con- 
traction of  the  whole  cell,  fibril  and  odontoblast,  occurs,  the  sen- 
sory nerve  endings  being  pressed  upon  in  the  act — i.  e.,  contraction 
causes  a  lateral  increase  in  size.  (2)  That  a  wave-like  motion  along 
the  protoplasm  is  set  up,  causing  excitation  of  the  sensory  nerves 
and  due  to  the  incompressibility  of  the  water.    (Gysi.) 

The  first  is  analogous  to  the  contraction  of  a  voluntary  muscle 
cell  under  nerve  impulse.  The  whole  muscle  cell  contracts,  though 
the  nerve  ending  is  supplied  to  only  a  portion  of  it.^  If  the  con- 
tention of  Robertson  that  the  odontoblast  is  connected  with  the 
axis  cylinders  of  the  nerves  be  true,  then  the  contraction  pulls  the 
nerve  fibril.    (See  p.  172.) 

This  hypothesis  fits  the  symptoms  as  excited  by  both  mechanical 
and  chemical  irritants,  while  the  second  theory  does  not. 

Symptoms. — A  certain  degree  of  uneasiness  of  undefined  character 
may  at  times  he  noted  in  teeth  containing  cavities,  but,  as  a  rule, 
pain  other  than  pulp  pain  is  only  felt  upon  the  application  of  special 
stimuli.  Of  course,  the  presence  of  ferments,  acids,  etc.,  in  a  cavity 
are  real  stimuli. 

The  infiltration  of  acid,  salt,  or  sweet  substances  into  contact  with 
a  hypersensitive  surface  is  followed  by  a  wave  of  gnawing  pain 
reflected  usually  along  the  course  of  contiguous  nerve  filaments. 
While  not  definitely  localized,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  pulp  does 
not  pos':ess  a  tactile  or  localizing  sense,  the  pain  may  usually  be 
referred  to  a  certain  part  of  the  mouth.  The  pressure  of  an  instru- 
ment upon  the  dentin  is  attended  by  a  fiash  of  sharp  pain,  which 
continues  for  a  time,  but  lessens  if  the  contact  be  maintained.  In 
this  test  the  pain  is  localized  in  the  affected  tooth,  the  touch  of  the 
instrument  being  followed  by  a  recognition  of  position  by  the  tactile 
organ  of  the  tooth,  the  pericementum. 

•  Black;   American  System  of  Dentistry. 


HYPERSENSITIVE  DENTIN  AND  ITS  THERAPEUTICS     379 

Occasionally  food  forced  by  mastication  against  a  hypersensitive 
surface,  such  as  due  to  abrasion  or  caries  in  a  crevice,  will  produce 
a  sharp  pain  subsiding  promptly,  and  which  may  not  be  repeated  for 
some  time.  The  mere  rubbing  together  of  opposing  abraded  surfaces 
may  cause  the  symptom. 

Cavities  dried  for  filling  usually  produce  a  steady  pain,  caused  by 
dryness  and  relieved  by  an  analgesic  or  by  filling. 

It  is  beyond  doubt  that  individuals  differ  as  to  the  degrees  of 
normal  dentinal  sensitivity;  the  dentin  of  one  person  may  be  cut 
freely  without  evidence  of  marked  pain;  in  another  the  touch  of  an 
instrument  to  the  newly  exposed  dentin  is  productive  of  unbearable 
pain.  The  difference  in  degree  of  irritability  is  manifested  in  another 
manner:  If  a  mild  sedative — for  example,  oil  of  cloves  or  an  obtun- 
dent— be  applied  to  the  hypersensitive  dentin  of  one  person,  it  may 
remove  the  distressing  symptoms,  but  with  others  it  may  be  necessary 
to  employ  the  most  extreme  measures  to  reduce  in  any  degree  the 
hypersensitivity.  In  some  cases  the  exposure  of  dentin  about  the 
necks  of  teeth  may  induce  such  an  unbearable  local  pain  or  neuralgic 
condition  as  to  positively  demand  relief. 

In  a  few  cases  enamel  has  exhibited  sensitivity.  In  one  case  the 
effort  to  open  sound  fissures  about  a  cavity  for  prevention  excited 
sharp  pain,  ceasing  upon  removal  of  the  instrument.  The  patient 
was,  hoM^ever,  a  sufferer  from  insomnia,  and  from  the  effects  of 
morphine  taken  for  it,  and  her  dentin  was  exquisitely  sensitive. 

In  another  patient  the  side  of  the  enamel  exposed  by  a  cavity  in  a 
molar  analogous  to  that  in  Fig.  358  gave  flashes  of  pain  when  touched 
with  an  excavator  point,  though  no  evident  direct  path  of  trans- 
mission to  the  pulp  could  be  seen.  Caush's  tubes  and  indirect  trans- 
mission seem  the  only  basis  of  explanation.     (See  p.  165.) 

There  is  a  pseudohypersensitivity  of  enamel  in  some  cases  due  to 
apprehension.  The  patients  can  be  ridiculed  out  of  the  idea  by 
demonstrating  its  absurdity,  as,  for  example,  by  touching  a  cusp 
and  then  showing  them  the  part  touched.  Pericemental  irritability 
at  times  must  also  be  excluded. 

There  can  be  no  question  that  systemic,  nervous  irritability  from 
any  cause  aggravates  the  phenomenon  of  hypersensitivity,  though 
whether  it  can  make  dentin  more  sensitive,  or  w^hether  the  patient 
is  less  able  to  endure  pain,  is  not  clear. 

The  general  perceptivity  of  the  individual  seems  to  play  a  part, 
and  even  apparently  normal  dentin  may  be  exquisitely  hypersen- 
sitive. Again,  pain  produced  in  excavating  may  be  due  to  the 
character  of  the  manipulation,  heavy  continued  burring  producing 
heat;  lighter  touches  may  excavate  equally  well,  but  produce  much 
less  pain.    The  dulness  of  the  excavator  or  bur  has  a  similar  effect. 


380 


DENTAL  CARIES 


Fig.  359 


Diagnosis. — In  the  diagnosis  the  above  characteristic  symptoms 
are  to  be  considered.  The  decisive  test  is  made  by  pressing  an 
instrument  upon  the  suspected  surface,  when  the  characteristic  pain 
is  produced,  subsiding  upon  or  shortly  after  removal  of  the  contact. 
Upon  the  pulpal  wall  of  deep  cavities  doubt  may  exist  as  to 
whether  the  pain  is  due  to  pulp  irritation. 

A  suspected  exposure  may  be  differentiated  by  the  localization  of 
the  pain  upon  touch  to  a  point  corresponding  to  the  pulp  horn  or 
pulp  body,  or  by  the  point  catching  in  the  exposure.  Hypersensitive 
dentin  will  be  more  generally  distributed  or  occur  at  points  at  which 

exposure  is  impossible.  Pulp  abnor- 
mality or  approach  may  be  detected 
by  means  of  a  drop  of  cool  water  or 
a  blast  of  cool  air  from  a  syringe. 
(See  Hyperemia  of  the  Pulp.) 

Treatment.^ — The  methods  of  treat- 
ment which  have  been  followed  for 
the  relief  of  hypersensitivity  of  dentin, 
and  the  induction  of  such  a  degree  of 
analgesia  as  will  permit  the  necessary 
cutting  of  dentin,  may  be  divided  into 
general  and  local. 

General  Remedies. — The  general 
remedies  employed  are  those  which 
abolish  or  lessen  the  perceptive  func- 
tion in  the  centres  of  the  fifth  pair  of 
nerves,  or  which  reduce  hyperirrita- 
bility  of  the  nervous  system.  Either 
general  anesthesia  or  general  ano- 
dynes are  employed  to  lessen  per- 
ception. The  inhalation  of  a  few 
whiffs  of  chloroform  or  ethylic  ether 
lessens  the  perception  of  pain,  or  a 
mixture  of  chloroform,  ether,  and  alcohol  may  be  used.  Chloroform 
is  usuallv  avoided  in  this  connection  on  account  of  its  dangers  when 
used  in  the  sitting  position.  Slight  etherization,  the  inhalation  being 
carried  only  to  the  benumbing  point,  affords  marked  relief  from  the 
pain  incidental  to  the  cutting  of  hypersensitive  dentin.  Nitrous  oxid 
and  oxygen  have  been  employed  with  some  satisfaction,  administered 
by  means  of  a  nasal  apparatus,  which  permits  the  mouth  to  be 
unobstructed.  The  Teter  apparatus  furnishes  definite  quantities 
of  nitrous  oxid  and  oxygen,  which  may  be  warmed  to  increase  the 
anesthetic  effect.     The  administration  for  excavation  of  cavities  is 


1 


The  Teter  apparatus  without  warmer 
on  apparatus  stand. 


HYPERSENSITIVE  DENTIN  AND  ITS  THERAPEUTICS     381 

by  the  nose,  and  can  be  continued  at  pleasure.    Fear  contraindicates 
its  use  for  children. ^    Gregg  has  devised  a  special  nasal  inhaler.^ 

The  administration  of  general  anodynes,  particularly  the  com- 
bination of  morphin  and  atropin,  has  been  found  useful  in  this  field. 

IJ — Morphinae  sulph gr.  ^ 

Atropina  sulph gr.  yi^j 

M.  et  ft.  pil.  No.  1. 

Sig. — To  be  taken  one-half  hour  before  operation. 

Flagg  noted  that  blondes  bear  morphin  sulphate  better  than 
brunettes;  particularly  are  nervobilious  and  bilionervous  patients 
idiosyncratically  opposed  to  its  use,  the  physiological  action  of  the 
drug  being  reversed  or  the  after-effects  being  pronounced.  Patients 
having  dark  hair  and  blue  eyes  may  be  expected  to  be  thus  idio- 
syncratic. For  them  he  recommended  morphin  bimeconate  solution 
in  doses  equivalent  to  \  grain  of  the  salt,  to  be  taken  one  the 
evening  before  and  the  other  before  the  operation. 

Chloral  in  5-  or  10-grain  doses,  administered  in  water  before  the 
operation,  has  a  quieting  effect  upon  the  nervous  system.  Ambler' 
has  suggested  the  use  of  from  10  to  20  drops  of  fluidextract  of  piscidia 
erythrina,  to  be  administered  about  ten  minutes  before  operating. 
Drowsiness  may  be  expected.  Phenobromate,  10  grains,  before 
operation,  or  15  grains  for  any  great  pain,  may  be  administered  in  a 
copious  draught  of  water. 

For  the  reduction  of  excitement  and  nervousness  in  anticipation 
of  dental  operation,  bromural,  5  grs.,  ordinarily  to  be  administered 
while  waiting,  or  10  grs.  in  unusual  cases,  is  highly  recommended  for 
this  purpose  by  Hecker.^  It  is  also  useful  in  insomnia,  and  its 
associated  hyperesthesia. 

Hyoscyamin  hydrobromate,  -^^  grain,  will  be  useful  in  those  cases 
which  are  associated  with  muscular  spasm  or  hysteria. 

The  coal-tar  derivatives,  phenacetin,  acetanilid,  and  others,  are 
occasionally  efficient.  The  preparations  known  as  antikamnia  (said 
to  be  a  combination  of  acetanilid,  caffein  citrate,  and  sodium  bicar- 
bonate) and  ammonol  (acetanilid  and  ammonium  carbonate,  equal 
parts)  are  to  be  preferred  in  this  connection.  The  dose  of  the  latter 
two  is  10  grains,  administered  one-half  hour  before  operation. 

The  induction  of  the  hypnotic  state  belongs  in  the  category  of 
means  acting  upon  the  nerve  centres.  The  use  of  the  ordinary 
suggestion  that  the  work  will  not  be  unduly  painful,  considerate 
treatment,  patience,  and  the  employment  of  remedies  all  have  a 

1  Gregg.  2  Dental  Cosmos,  1912,  p.  355. 

3  Ibid.,  1901.  *  Ibid.,  1909,  p.  844. 


382        '  DENTAL  CARIES 

calming  influence,  permitting  relaxation  upon  the  part  of  the  patient, 
who,  if  "keyed  up"  to  expect  great  pain,  will  expect  and  feel  unduly. 

The  use  of  blue-light  anesthesia  consists  in  causing  the  patient  to 
gaze  intently  for  a  few  minutes  at  a  blue-globed  electric  light  having 
a  reflector  behind  it.  A  blue  veil  is  thrown  about  the  head  and  lamp 
to  exclude  daylight.  Short  operations  have  been  performed  under 
its  sedative,  or,  possibly,  hypnotic  effects,  though  it  seems  to  fail 
in  some  cases. 

Local  Treatment. — The  local  treatment  of  hypersensitive  dentin 
may  be  considered  from  two  standpoints,  according  to  whether  a 
concavity  containing  it  requires  excavation,  or  whether  the  hyper- 
sensitive spots  are  not  to  be  excavated  after  treatment. 

Treatment  in  Cavities  of  Decay. — The  remedies  employed  in 
the  endeavor  to  reduce  or  abolish  hypersensitivity  in  a  cavity  of 
decay  at  the  time  of  operation  are  quite  numerous;  few  are,  however, 
always  effective.    They  may  be  classed  under  two  headings: 

1.  Those  which  temporarily  benumb  or  anesthetize  the  fibrillse  and 
prevent  the  transmission  of  sensation. 

2.  Those  which  chemically  destroy  the  fibrillse  for  a  distance,  thus 
preventing  transmission  of  sensation. 

Remedies  which  Benumb  the  Fibrillse. — Chief  among  these 
for  its  universality  of  application  is  dryness.  Dentin,  which  protests 
against  even  the  touch  of  an  instrument  while  wet,  has  its  sensitivity 
so  lessened  after  the  application  of  a  rubber  dam  and  drying,  that  it 
may  be  cut  freely,  in  many  cases  without  the  aid  of  medicinal  agents. 
So  well  is  this  recognized  that  isolation  and  drying  of  teeth  are 
regarded  as  a  necessary  preliminary  to  cavity  preparation.  The 
degree  of  insensitivity  induced. is  in  proportion  to  the  dryness.  The 
drying  temporarily  deprives  the  dentinal  protoplasm  of  a  portion  of 
its  water,  and  inhibits  the  transmission  of  sensation  by  reducing 
functional  activity. 

A  continuous  but  gentle  blast  of  air  passed  from  a  compressed-air 
apparatus  or  double  bulb  through  a  heated  metal  bulb  and  nozzle, 
or  through  an  electrically  heated  coil,  should  be  employed  until  the 
dentin  is  desiccated.  This  is  evidenced  by  its  extreme  whiteness. 
Other  forms  of  hot-air  syringes  may  be  substituted  with  less  satis- 
faction and  greater  fatigue  to  the  operator.  The  double  bulb  may 
be  operated  by  the  patient. 

The  application  of  absolute  alcohol  assists  the  drying  because  of 
its  affinity  for  water.  The  addition  of  a  little  menthol  to  the  alcohol 
assists  by  anesthetic  action.  The  pain  from  the  warm  air  may  at 
first  be  quite  severe,  but  even  in  greatly  hypersensitive  cases  the 
nozzle  of  the  syringe  may  soon  be  approximated  to  the  cavity,  though 


HYPERSENSITIVE  DENTIN  AND  ITS   THERAPEUTICS     383 

in  some  cases  it  may  be  necessary  to  make  an  application  of  a  mixture 
of  equal  parts  of  carbolic  acid  and  oil  of  cloves,  or  of  gum  camphor 
and  carbolic  acid  (phenol  camphor),  both  of  which  have  some 
anesthetic  effect.  Menthol  may  be  added  to  either.  When  desirable, 
their  effect  may  be  hastened  by  pressure  with  unvulcanized  rubber. 

An  instrument  known  as  the  "dehydrator"  causes  absolute  alcohol 
placed  in  a  special  chamber  between  the  bulb  of  the  hot-air  syringe 
and  the  nozzle  to  be  vaporized  upon  the  hypersensitive  dentin. 
The  drying  effect  is  thereby  augmented  and  the  dentin  satisfactorily 
obtunded. 

Some  degree  of  dryness  is,  as  a  rule,  a  necessary  preliminary  to 
success  with  other  applications. 

Following  dryness,  the  excavation  should  be  done  with  sharp 
instruments  and  burs.  The  latter  should  only  be  lightly  touched  to 
the  dentin  and  be  revolved  at  high  speed.  Letting  the  bur  occasion- 
ally run  free  cools  it.  The  heat  of  friction  is  considerable  and  highly 
irritating. 

The  combination  of  potassium  carbonate  with  glycerin  makes  a 
water-extracting  combination  having  but  little  coagulating  power. 
For  this  reason  it  may  be  used  in  the  deeper  cavities,  but  not  in  cases 
of  almost  exposed  pulp,  as  in  such  cases  its  application  is  painful. 

I^ — Potassium  carbonate gr.  xv 

Glycerin f3j 

Mix  in  a  mortar. 

To  be  applied  on  a  pellet  of  cotton.     (P'lagg.) 

It  may  be  used  with  effect  even  upon  slightly  moist  dentin. 

Not  being  escharotic  to  the  gum,  this  remedy  is  exceedingly  useful 
about  the  sensitive  but  undecayed  necks  of  teeth,  and  may  be  freely 
applied  after  moderate  drying  of  the  parts. 

If  necessary,  the  patient  may  be  given  the  prescription  and  directed 
to  apply  by  means  of  a  clean  tooth-pick,  which  should  not  be  used 
a  second  time,  as  the  mixture  may  be  infected  and  spoiled. 

Its  pain  simulates  that  of  zinc  chlorid,  but  is  less  severe  in  its 
character. 

A  mixture  of  tannin  and  glycerin  has  a  similar  effect. 

IJ — Tannin - 5Jori5 

Glycerin f5j- 

Mix  in  a  warm  mortar. 

Refrigeration  by  a  spray  of  ether  or  ethyl  or  methyl  chlorid  reduces 
the  temperature  of  the  fibrils  and  pulp,  benumbing  them.  The 
rubber  dam  should  be  applied  to  isolate  the  teeth  operated  upon. 


384  DENTAL  CARIES 

Ether  is  applied  by  means  of  a  double-bulbed  atomizer,  or  one 
operated  by  compressed  air;  the  chlorids  are  contained  in  glass 
tubes  conveniently  capped.  The  cap  being  raised,  the  heat  of  the 
hand  causes  vaporization  of  the  agent  within  the  tube,  which  forces 
the  liquid  out  of  the  orifice  of  the  tube  in  a  fine  but  forcible  stream. 
A  spraying  nozzle  is  also  obtainable.  The  cavity  should  at  first 
contain  a  pellet  of  cotton  in  order  that  the  dentin  may  be  gradually 
obtunded  and  painful  response  on  the  part  of  the  pulp  avoided.  The 
method  may  be  painful  in  application,  but  often  satisfactory.  Ether 
odorizes  the  operating  room,  and  a  flame  must  be  avoided. 

Fig.  360 


Ethyl  chlorid  spray  tube. 

"Vapocain"  and  "potassocain,"  proprietary  agents  which  consist 
of  a  15  per  cent,  solution  of  cocain  in  ether,  are  applied  to  hyper- 
sensitive dentin  upon  the  theory  that  the  ether  enters  the  tubules, 
carrying  the  cocain  into  contact  with  the  fibrils;  the  ether  evaporates, 
leaving  the  cocain  in  aqueous  solution  to  benumb  them.  This  requires 
several  minutes.  They  are  useful  in  the  deeper  cavities.  Jack 
recommends  that  the  cavity  acidity  be  neutralized  before  their 
application.^ 

A  10  to  25  per  cent,  solution  of  cocain  hydrochlorate  in  water  may 
be  forced  into  the  tubules  by  applying  it  on  a  pellet  of  amadou, 
placing  over  this  soft  vulcanite  rubber,  and  producing  pressure  with 
a  burnisher  for  from  three  to  six  minutes.  The  pressure  should  be 
gradually  applied.  A  gratifying  degree  of  dentinal  anesthesia  may 
often  be  obtained. 

Adrenalin  chlorid  solution,  1  to  1000,  plus  chloreton^  or  cocain, 
has  been  used  in  this  manner  with  some  effect.  A  few  crystals  of 
the  cocain  may  be  picked  up  on  a  pellet  of  cotton  moistened  with 
warm  water  and  pressed  upon  the  cavity  surface. 

Miller^  has  shown  that  by  taking  a  modelling  composition  impres- 

1  American  Text-book  of  Operative  Dentistry. 

-  Parke,  Davis  &  Co.  '  Dental  Review,  1906. 


HYPERSENSITIVE  DENTIN   AND  ITS   THERAPEUTICS     385 

sion  of  the  cavity,  then  applying  a  few  threads  of  cotton  saturated 
with  cocain  to  the  floor  of  the  cavity,  then  placing  a  thickness  of 
rubber  dam  o\  er  the  entire  cavity  surface,  replacing  the  modelling 
composition,  and  producing  pressure,  anesthesia  can  be  produced 
when  there  is  not  a  greasy  condition  of  the  cavity,  nor  thick  layers  of 
decalcified  dentin  nor  much  secondary  dentin  present. 

Cataphoresis  (Greek  kata,  down,  and  phoreo,  I  bear  or  bring)  is, 
in  technical  parlance,  the  transference  of  substances  from  the  anodal 
or  positive  pole  of  a  batter}'  toward  the  cathodal  or  negative  pole. 
They  are  thus  carried  into  the  tissues. 

Cataphoresis  is  to  be  distinguished  from  electrolysis,  by  which 
substances  are  decomposed  and  their  elements  carried  from  positive 
to  negative  or  from  negative  to  positive  poles,  according  to  their 
polarity.  In  cataphoresis  a  substance  is  carried  unchanged  from  the 
positive  toward  the  negative  pole,  after  the  manner  of  granules  in 
protoplasm  acted  upon  by  the  same  force.     (See  p.  20.) 

As  applied  to  dentistry,  a  primary  current  from  a  battery  arranged 
with  the  cells  in  series  has  the  positive  pole  or  conductor  connected 
with  a  resistance  or  current  controller  capable  of  being  so  manipulated 
as  to  gradually  reduce  the  resistance  to  the  current  a  fraction  of  a 
volt  at  a  time.  This  is  called  a  "fractional  volt  selector."  This  is 
usually  a  broken  ring  of  graphite,  to  one  end  of  which  the  incoming 
current  is  admitted  by  means  of  the  conducting  cord  and  travelling 
indicator;  at  the  other  end  the  current  passes  out  by  a  similar  cord, 
which  in  turn  is  attached  to  a  milliamperemeter  or  instrument  record- 
ing the  quantity  of  current  passing  through  the  circuit.  From  this  a 
cord  leads  to  the  positive  electrode  applied  to  the  tooth  cavity.  To 
the  face,  neck,  or  wrist  of  the  patient  a  moist  electrode  (negative) 
is  applied,  which  by  its  conducting  cord  leads  the  current  back  to 
the  negative  pole  of  the  battery.  The  current  passes  through  the 
patient. 

The  milliamperemeter  is  a  convenient  but  not  an  essential 
feature  of  the  apparatus,  and  a  rod  of  graphite  or  a  glass  tube 
with  w^ater  resistance  may  be  used.  Fig.  361  shows  the  more 
elegant  apparatus  arranged  almost  as  described. 

In  the  use  of  the  cataphoric  apparatus  the  tooth  is  securely  in- 
sulated by  well-ligatured  rubber  dam  and  cotton  saturated  with  a 
solution  of  cocain  hydrochlorate  or  citrate  of  a  strength  of  from  10 
per  cent,  to  a  saturated  solution  is  placed  in  the  cavity.  The  platinum 
anode  is  wrapped  with  cotton,  dipped  in  the  solution,  and  inserted 
into  contact  with  the  cotton  in  the  cavity.  The  controller  is  now^  so 
manipulated  as  to  gradually  cut  out  its  resistance  to  the  current,  and 
the  high  resistance  of  the  dentin  is  gradually  overcome. 
25 


386 


DENTAL  CARIES 


The  cocain  solution  should  be  renewed  as  dryness  occurs,  as  dryness 
increases  the  resistance.     The  cocain  is  carried  along  the  fibrils  to 


Fig.  361 


the  pulp  by  the  electric  current,  and  dentinal  followed  by  pulpal 
anesthesia  results. 


HYPERSENSITIVE  DENTIN  AND  ITS  THERAPEUTICS     387 

From  eight  to  fifteen  minutes,  or  sometimes  longer,  are  required 
for  dentinal  anesthesia,  which  loss  of  time  is  largely  regained  in  the 
facility  of  operation.^ 

Price^  has  shown  that  pulp  anesthesia  is  gained  more  readily  by 
concentrating  the  action  of  the  cocain  upon  the  pulpal  wall  by  means 
of  a  small  electrode.  If  general  dentinal  anesthesia  is  required  he 
prefers  this  method,  as  the  pain  receptivity  of  the  pulp  is  abolished. 
A  broader  application  anesthetizes  the  dentin. 

Woodward^  has  shown  that  in  the  latter  case  the  dentin  in  a  cavity 
upon  the  opposite  side  of  a  tooth  being  operated  upon  ma}'  remain 
sensitive. 

The  pulp  may  be  anesthetized  by  this  method  for  removal.  In 
difficult  conditions  this  is  a  very  valuable  means  of  therapeutics. 

The  pulp  is  not  injuriously  affected  in  ordinary  applications,  unless 
saturated  by  long  application.  A  reaction  resulting  in  hyperemia  may 
take  place.  To  obviate  this,  the  pulp  should  not  be  oversaturated,  the 
fibrils  should  be  treated  with  carbolic  acid,  and  in  deep  cavities  a 
non-conductor  should  be  used  before  filling. 

In  case  absolute  insensitivity  is  produced  the  anatomy  of  the  pulp 
must  carefully  be  considered,  so  that  it  be  not  exposed  during  the 
excavation  of  the  cavity.  Insulation  of  the  pulp  from  thermal  shock 
subsequent  to  filling  is  also  to  have  consideration. 

The  pulp  may  have  cocain  forced  into  it  by  means  of  a  powerful 
compound-pressure  syringe.    The  Meyers  syringe  is  one  of  the  best. 

Fig.  362 


The  Meyers  compound  syringe  for  forcing  cocain  solutions  through  the  dentinal  tubules. 

It  is  filled  with  a  2  to  4  per  cent,  solution  of  cocain  in  water;  a  con- 
venient drill  pit  is  made  with  a  No.  ^  bur;  the  nozzle  of  the  filled 
syringe  freed  of  air  is  forced  into  the  opening  and  continuous  or 
intermittent  pressure  produced  without  releasing  the  point  for 
several  minutes.  It  is  well  to  allow  the  air  to  escape  from  the  pit 
by  holding  loosely  for  a  moment.  No  general  cavity  anesthesia  will 
result  until  the  cocain  solution  has  infiltrated  the  area  of  pulp  under- 


1  Jack:   American  Text-book  of  Operative  Dentistry. 
'  International  Dental  Journal,  November,  1902. 


2  Dental  Summary,  April,  1903. 


388  DENTAL  CARIES 

lying  the  fibrillar  connections  with  the  pulp.  The  forcing  of  cocain 
into  so  delicate  a  tissue  should  stop  at  that  point,  as  more  may  pro- 
duce expansive  pressure,  and  may  cause  a  later  pulp  reaction,  as 
cocain  is,  to  a  degree,  a  protoplasmic  poison.  The  method  is  useful 
in  pulp  extirpation  rather  than  in  hypersensitivity,  but  has  occasional 
use,  especially  in  cervical  cavities.  Secondary  dentin  is  difficult  of 
penetration,  and  gradual  approaches  must  be  made.  It  should  be  so 
injected  into  only  sound  dentin.  If  the  cervix  of  a  cavity  is  used  as 
the  point  of  injection  the  pit  should  be  made  deeper  than  the  syringe 
nozzle  penetrates,  as  in  this  way  the  lateral  tubules  can  carry  the 
cocain,  otherwise  they  may  be  occluded  by  the  syringe  point.  The 
syringe  nozzle  may  be  made  flat  ended  and  the  pit  in  the  dentin  be 
made  with  a  cone-shaped  bur. 

In  another  use  of  cocain  a  1  per  cent,  solution  may  be  injected  with 
a  hypodermic  syringe  into  the  gum  over  the  apex  of  the  root  of  a 
tooth,  the  object  being  to  paralyze  the  sensory  nerve  leading  from 
the  pulp.  It  is  not  without  danger  to  the  heart,  though  it  may  be 
resorted  to  under  proper  precautions,  such  as  using  adrenalin  with 
the  cocain,  administering  food  before  the  operation,  as  an  empty 
stomach  is  an  element  of  danger,  the  administration  of  aromatic 
spirits  of  ammonia,  coffee,  or  brandy  before  operating.  Other 
anesthetics  are  also  used. 

The  addition  of  adrenalin  to  the  cocain  inhibits  the  absorption  of 
cocain  from  the  point  of  injection;  it  also  acts  as  a  cardiac  stimulant. 
Five  drops  of  a  1  per  cent,  solution  of  cocain  should  be  a  maximum 
dose,  and  should  be  injected  for  posterior  teeth  into  the  alveolar 
gum  to  anesthetize  the  nerve  trunk;  in  anterior  teeth  a  subgingival 
injection  is  sufficient.  (Honigmann  after  Braun.^)  After  such  an 
injection  into  the  gum  a  cut  may  be  made  to  the  bone,  and  a  small 
sterile  drill  or  bur  be  driven  into  the  diploic  structure.  A  blunt 
needle  is  then  used  to  inject  deeper. 

The  introduction  of  a  5  or  10  per  cent,  solution  of  cocain  upon 
cotton  into  the  nostril,  upon  the  side  of  operation,  is  endorsed  by 
Peck,  of  Chicago,  as  a  means  of  anesthetizing  the  nerve  trunk  leading 
from  the  upper  incisors.  Escat,^  of  Toulouse,  France,  has  observed 
that  a  0.1  per  cent,  solution  on  cotton  about  the  size  of  an  almond 
placed  in  the  nostril  in  close  proximity  to  the  anterior  edge  of  the 
inferior  turbinate,  will,  in  twenty  minutes  anesthetize  the  anterior 
superior  dental  branch  of  the  fifth  nerve,  which  lies  in  close  proximity 
to  the  nasal  mucous  membrane  at  this  point.  The  entire  tissue 
about  the  incisors  and  cuspids  of  the  side  is  anesthetized,  as  is 
sometimes  that  of  the  opposite  side  in  part. 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1905,  p.  1385.  .     2  Ibid.,  1908,  p.  181. 


HYPERSENSITIVE  DENTIN  AND  ITS   THERAPEUTICS     389 

Soderberg'  has  shown  tliat  painless  excavation  of  cavities  other- 
wise uncontrolUihle  may  be  effected  by  the  use  of  nervocidin,  an 
alkah)id  obtained  by  Dr.  D.  Dalma  from  the  East  Indian  plant 
gasu-hasn.  Twenty-four  hours  are  required  for  complete  dentinal 
anesthesia  without  pulp  anesthesia  unless  a  second  application  be 
made. 

The  primary  effect  of  nervocidin  being  irritating,  Soderberg  recom- 
mends the  additional  use  of  cocain,  both  being  mixed  with  zinc 
sulphate  cement. 

R — Gum  arable 5j 

Zinc  sulphate §ss 

Water f5j— M. 

Dissolve  the  zinc  sulphate  in  the  water,  add  the  gum  arable,  stir:  let  stand  for  twenty-four 
hours  and  strain. 

H — Of  above  solution f  oij 

Nervocidin gr.  x 

Cocain  hydrochlorate gr.  x — M. 

To  a  portion  of  the  latter  solution  add  uncalcined  zinc  oxid  to 
make  a  cement,  which  is  placed  in  the  dried  cavity.  Uncalcined  zinc 
oxid  added  to  the  first  formula  makes  zinc  sulphate  cement.  After 
excavation  the  acidity  of  the  nervocidin  should  be  neutralized. 
Buckley-  has  recommended : 

I^ — Menthol gr.  xx 

Chloroformi      .      .  fSss 

Etheris f5j — M. 

Sig. — Place  a  little  in  the  cavity  after  the  rubber  dam  is  adjusted 

Hot  water  supplied  by  a  tube  leading  from  a  coil  heated  by 
electricity  and  attached  to  the  water  supply  pipe  of  the  fountain 
cuspidor  has  been  recommended  by  A.  F.  Merriman,  Jr.,  for  the 
obtunding  of  hypersensitive  dentin  in  cases  in  which  dryness  is  not 
readily  obtainable,  nor  immediately  or  subsequently  desirable. 

It  is  claimed  that  satisfactory  analgesia  is  obtained,  and  that  the 
mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth  is  not  unduly  uncomfortable,  even 
when  the  heat  is  objectionable  to  the  finger  of  the  operator.  The 
advantages  of  the  method  for  excavation  and  grinding  are  obvious 
and  most  useful,  particularly  for  trimming  live  teeth. 

Remedies  "which  Chemically  Destroy  the  Fibrils  for  a 
Distance,  Preventing  Transmission  of  Sensation. — Agents 
which  chemically  destroy  the  dentinal  protoplasm  form  the  most 
extensive  group  of  dentinal  obtundents.  They  include  salts  of 
metals,  such  as  zinc  chlorid  and  silver  nitrate;  carbolic  acid  and  its 
derivatives,  and  like  bodies;  the  cresols,  etc.;  mineral  acids,  notably 
sulphuric,  chromic,  and  nitric;  organic  acids — trichloracetic  and  lactic 

'  Dental  Cosmos,  August,  1903.  =  Ibid.,  1907,  p.  328. 


390  DENTAL  CARIES 

acids — (full  strength) ;  alkalies — sodium  and  potassium  hydrates  and 
carbonates. 

Zinc  chlorid,  silver  nitrate,  and  carbolic  acid  all  cause  coagulation 
of  the  fibrils  of  the  dentin.  The  mineral  and  organic  acids  chemic- 
ally decompose  both  protoplasm  and  the  calcified  tissues.  The 
concentrated  alkalies  chemically  destroy  protoplasm  and  bring 
about  its  quick  dissolution.  Like  all  active  chemical  substances,  the 
extent  of  their  action  depends  upon  the  freedom  with  which  they 
are  applied. 

The  application  of  any  of  these  agents,  as  a  rule,  causes  pain,  the 
degree  of  suffering  being  usually  in  proportion  to  the  depth  of  the 
cavity.  For  this  reason  the  more  powerful  agents,  like  zinc  chlorid 
and  nitric  acid,  are  to  be  confined  to  cavities  of  moderate  depth, 
while  carbolic  acid,  especially  in  combination  with  the  oil  of  cloves, 
may  be  used  in  the  deeper  ones. 

Fused  zinc  chlorid  is  used  in  its  deliquesced  form,  and  is  most 
active  when  some  of  the  salt  is  still  undissolved  in  the  bottle.  Its 
pain  in  suitable  cavities  is  a  full,  bearable  one,  gradually  increasing, 
sometimes  in  waves,  until  a  crisis  is  reached,  when  the  pain  gradually 
ceases.  It  has  a  double  action,  not  only  coagulating  protoplasm, 
but  combining  with  its  water,  owing  to  its  afiinity  for  the  latter. 
On  account  of  this  property  its  action  may  be  limited  by  warm  water. 

An  undue  action  of  the  zinc  chlorid  is  indicated  by  a  throbbing 
pain;  this  indicates  that  the  pulp  has  been  irritated.  When,  as  occa- 
sionally occurs,  no  pain  is  produced,  no  obtundent  effect  is  obtained. 
If  this  occur  regularly  the  drug  is  oversaturated  with  water. 

Bogue  has  suggested  that  cocain  crystals  be  incorporated  with 
the  chlorid  of  zinc  as  a  means  of  alleviating  the  pain  incident  to  the 
application. 

Miller,  following  Hoffheinz,  advocated  the  use  of  equal  parts  of 
zinc  chlorid  and  chloroform. 

Certain  moderately  deep  cavities  may  be  filled  with  oxychlorid  of 
zinc  cement,  the  free  zinc  chlorid  acting  as  an  obtundent.  This 
requires  a  prolonged  action,  and  is  only  resorted  to  in  cases  which  do 
not  admit  of  immediate  work,  or  in  which  procrastination  is  desirable. 

A  formula  of  wide  renown  is  known  as  Robinson's  remedy;  this 
may  be  made  in  one  or  two  ways: 

I^ — Potassium  hydrate, 

(or  Sodium  hydrate), 

Carbolic  acid p.  seq. — -M. 

Reduce  the  gelatinous  mass  formed  with  alcohol. 


Or, 


^ — Sodium  hydrate  (deliquesced), 

Calvert's  crystal  carbolic  acid p.  seq. — M.     (Huey.) 

The  liquid  formed  is  spoiled  when  it  effloresces  upon  the  sides  of  the  bottle  neck. 


HYPERSENSITIVE  DENTIN  AND  ITS   THERAPEUTICS     391 

The  painfully  caustic  action  of  the  sodium  or  potassium  hydrate 
is  modified  by  the  carboHc  acid. 

The  appHcation  of  Robinson's  remedy  is  useful  in  the  simpler 
cavities  and  about  the  undecayed  but  hypersensitive  necks  of  teeth. 
It  is  escharotic  to  the  gum. 

If  this  remedy  or  zinc  chlorid  be  required  about  the  periphery  of 
deep  cavities  the  plan  suggested  by  Jack,  of  varnishing  the  cavity 
floor  with  chloro-percha  as  an  impenetrable  protective  is  valuable. 

A  method  similar  to  the  use  of  Robinson's  remedy  consists  in  apply- 
ing carbolic  acid  to  a  cavity  and  then  without  removing  it,  placing  a 
few  granules  of  sodium  dioxid.^  Sodium  dioxid  alone  in  a  slightly 
moist  cavity  liberates  nascent  sodium  hydrate  (also  H2O2),  which 
will  destroy  the  gum  protoplasm,  and  is  somewhat  effective  in  hyper- 
sensitive dentin. 

Carbolic  acid  in  concentrated  form  may  be  applied  to  any  cavity. 
Jenkins,  of  Dresden,  has  recommended  that  it  be  used  hot;  it  is  par- 
ticularly useful  for  cavities  containing  masses  of  softened  dentin. 
A  variation  consists  in  the  application  to  the  cavity,  upon  a  pellet 
of  cotton,  and  heating  it  with  a  hot  burnisher. 

Sodium  bicarbonate  is  at  times  an  efficacious  remedy,  and  may  be 
freely  applied  to  the  moist  cavity. 

A  20  per  cent,  solution  of  ammonium  carbonate,  applied  for  five 
minutes  or  longer,  is  useful.- 

The  nitrate  of  silver  powerfully  coagulates  fibrillar  protoplasm, 
forming  the  albuminate  of  silver,  which  turns  black  upon  exposure 
to  the  light.  It  is  useful  in  posterior  teeth  well  out  of  view,  and  to 
which  the  rubber  dam  cannot  well  be  applied.  It  is  also  useful 
about  undecayed  hypersensitive  necks  of  molar  teeth.  It  penetrates 
the  dentin  for  a  short  distance.  For  this  reason  its  use  is  ordinarily 
confined  to  posterior  teeth,  though  in  some  obstinate  cases  of  hyper- 
sensitive necks  of  lower  incisors  and  cuspids  it  may  be  used.  To 
prevent  the  production  of  hypersensitivity  in  teeth  ground  for 
bridge-work,  it  should  be  applied  over  the  entire  crown.  It  may  be 
used  in  saturated  aqueous  solution  upon  the  dried  dentin,  or  the 
crystal  rubbed  upon  the  slightly  moistened  dentin.  The  crystal  or 
fused  silver  nitrate  rubbed  upon  abraded  and  sensitive  occlusal 
surfaces  often  affords  much  comfort. 

Craven's  method  consists  of  taking  up  a  few  crystals  upon  a  hot 
platinum  wire,  and  then  fusing  them  into  a  button  upon  its  roughened 
end.    This  is  then  rubbed  upon  the  dentin. 

Miller  has  shown  that  the  silver  deposit  lessens  the  penetration  of 
acid  decalcification  (Fig.  363). 

1  H.  J.  Moore:  Dental  Review,  1906.  2  Thieaing:   Dental  Cosmos,  November,  1903. 


S92  DENTAL  CAttlES 

The  subsequent  use  of  sodium  chlorid  assists  in  partially  removing 
the  stains,  argentic  chlorid  being  formed. 

Register  has  suggested  the  use  of  iodin  followed  by  ammonia  for 
this  purpose. 

Coming  into  contact  with  an  amalgam  filling,  or  a  bit  of  amalgam, 
an  intensely  black  deposit  is  instantly  produced,  which,  while  acid  at 
first,  is  useful  in  slowly  obtunding  dentin  in  cavities  out  of  view. 
Curiously  enough,  not  all  amalgams  do  this. 

For  severe  cases  not  yielding  to  local  treatment  at  the  time  desired, 
the  following  has  been  recommended:^ 


Or, 


I^ — Trioxymethylen, 

Orthoform p. 

Make  into  a  paste  with  carbolic  acid. 


I^ — Menthol  crystals 5  parts 

Phenol  crystals 4  parts. 

Reduce  to  a  syrupy  liquid  to  be  used  in  place  of  the  carbolic  acid  in  the  above  formula. 


These  pastes  are  applied  to  the  cavity  walls  over  even  decayed 
dentin,  covered  with  a  pellet  of  cotton,  and  sealed  in  with  temporary 
stopping  or  cement  for  twenty-four  hours  only.  Formaldehyd  gas 
is  liberated  in  the  nascent  state  and  desensitizes  the  fibrils  by  harden- 


FiG.  363 


<mm 


Dentin  treated  with  silver  nitrate  at  a  only;  the  entire  surface  subjected  to  acid  action 
shows  penetration  at  6.     (Miller.) 

ing  and  fixing  them  as  in  histological  specimens.  This  principle  has 
been  used  in  cavities  with  the  ordinary  37  per  cent,  formaldehyd 
solution  applied  by  the  pressure  method,  and  is  useful  about  the 
hypersensitive  necks  of  teeth. 

In  shallow  cavities  and  upon  abraded  surfaces  nitric  and  chromic 

1  G.  Mahe,  M.D.,  Paris:  Dental  Cosmos,  1904. 


HYPERSENSITIVE  DENTIN  AND  ITS   THERAPEUTICS     393 

acid  accurately  applied  in  small  quantity  upon  a  gold  probe  is 
useful.    Any  softened  dentin  must  later  he  remo\'ed  and  filled. 

For  very  obstinate  cases  of  cervical  hypersensitivity,  Flagg  recom- 
mended the  use  of  the  electric  cautery,  the  spots  to  be  seared.  A 
very  hot  burnisher  may  occasionally  serve. 

Aside  from  the  treatment  of  hypersensitive  dentin,  at  the  time  of 
operation,  analgesics  may  be  introduced  for  their  power  of  gradually 
lessening  the  hyperirritability  of  fibrillar  protoplasm.  If  cotton 
wedges  are  introduced,  antiseptic  analgesics,  particularly  oil  of 
cloves  (or  eugenol),  equal  parts  of  oil  of  cloves  and  carbolic  acid, 
and  phenol  camphor,  or  Fletcher's  carbolized  resin,  may  be  used  on 
the  cotton  with  advantage. 

A  partially  prepared  cavity  may  be  moistened  with  eucalyptol 
and  temporarily  filled  with  temporary  stopping  or  gutta-percha. 
This  affords  rest.  If  the  gutta-percha  leak,  the  cavity  will  be  more 
sensitive. 

A  temporary  filling  made  by  mixing  zinc  oxid  with  Fletcher's 
carbolized  resin  or  eugenol  to  a  stiff  paste  will  endure  for  some 
time,  and  reduce  hypersensitivity.  It  is  also  useful  as  an  antiseptic 
sedative  test  filling. 

I^ — Carbolic  acid, 

Colophony an,    5J 

Chloroform fgss— M. 

(Fletcher.) 

The  use  of  chalk  applied  nightly  in  a  superficial  cavity,  as  at  the 
cervix,  is  useful  for  this  purpose. 

In  cases  in  which  devitalization  is  intended,  arsenic  may  be  used 
as  an  obtundent  to  eft'ect  a  deeper  placing  of  another  portion  as  a 
devitalizing  agent;  twenty-four  to  forty-eight  hours  are  required  for 
this  purpose.  If  left  long  enough  it  will  devitalize  the  pulp  even 
through  a  large  mass  of  dentin. 

There  is  no  safety  in  short  applications  as  a  means  of  obtunding 
dentinal  hypersensitivity.  The  pulp  may  die  even  after  seeming 
excavation  of  all  affected  dentin. 

Ninety  per  cent,  of  cavities  may  be  comfortably  excavated  with 
sharp  instruments  by  the  aid  of  dryness  and  carbolic  acid  or  simple 
obtundents.  A  small  percentage  require  the  use  of  strong  caustics, 
etc.,  while  in  a  still  smaller  number  some  of  the  extreme  measures 
are  necessary. 

During  seasons  in  which  acid  fruits  are  consumed,  much  hyper- 
sensitivity may  be  induced.  This  should  always  lead  to  examination 
for  cavities  of  decay,  but  such  may  not  exist  or  may  be  properly 
filled. 


394  DENTAL  CARIES 

For  hypersensitivity  about  undecayed  necks  of  teeth,  the  mouth 
should  be  kept  in  an  alkahne  condition  by  means  of  dilute  phenol 
sodique  or  sodium  bicarbonate,  or,  better,  by  the  use  of  more  lasting 
mild  alkalies,  such  as  chalk,  or  milk  of  magnesia,  or  a  combination 
of  the  two.  The  manufacturers  of  milk  of  magnesia  recommend  a 
series  of  oil  mixtures ;  6  drops  of  any  mixture  to  be  shaken  up  with 
the  contents  of  the  original  bottle  as  a  flavor  to  remove  the  naturally 
raw  taste  of  the  preparation,  which  is  disagreeable  to  some  persons.^ 
The  following  are  two  of  the  simplest. 


Or, 


I^ — Oil  of  bitter  almond 1  part 

Oil  of  anise     .       ...  3  parts 


IJ — Oil  of  cinnamon - .3  parts 

Oil  of  wintergreen 4  parts 


The  use  of  potassium  carbonate  in  glycerin  is  indicated  and  may 
be  given  to  the  patient  for  free  use. 

For  hypersensitive  incisal  edges  or  occlusal  surfaces  Robinson's 
remedy  may  be  thus  dispensed  with  a  caution  as  to  its  caustic 
nature. 

At  times  zinc  chlorid,  Robinson's  remedy,  and  silver  nitrate  or  the 
actual  or  electric  cautery  must  be  used  by  the  operator. 

In  a  number  of  the  localized  cases  fillings  may  be  subsequently 
required  unless  rigid  prophylaxis  be  practised.  Acid  mouth  washes 
should  be  avoided.  Prophylaxis  may  remove  the  superficial  desensi- 
tized layer,  and  the  application  require  renewal. 

In  cavities  not  permitting  exact  excavation,  oxyphosphate  of 
copper  cement  left  for  a  considerable  time  will  often  reduce 
exquisite  sensitivity. 

The  use  of  potassium  sulphocyanate  internally  in  case  of  great 
general  dental  hypersensitivity  has  had  good  results  claimed  for  it, 
especially  in  pregnant  women.     (See  p.  339.) 

1  Items  of  Interest,  1905,  p.  977. 


CHAPTER    XIV 

DENTAL  CARIES:    THERAPEUTICS  AND   PROPHYLAXIS 

According  to  the  depth  of  invasion  and  variations  in  the  thera- 
peutics involved,  caries  may  be  divided  into  eight  stages,  as  follows: 

1.  Superficial  caries,  or  that  stage  in  which  the  enamel  has  been 
partially  decalcified,  but  the  dentin  not  affected  (Fig.  322). 

2.  Simple  caries,  in  which  the  dentin  has  been  affected  slightly 
in  such  a  manner  as  ordinarily  to  compel  the  formation  of  a  cavity 
and  its  filhng  (Figs.  328  and  331). 

3.  Deep-seated  caries,  in  which  the  complete  excavation  of  the 
cavity  renders  pulp  injury  a  possibility,  but  the  pulp  is  not  very 
dangerously  approached  (Fig.  337). 

4.  Almost  exposed  pulp.  This  is  a  refinement  of  the  preceding 
stage,  in  which  pulp  exposure  becomes  imminent  during  excavation 
of  the  cavity  and  special  therapeutics  are  demanded  (Fig.  364). 

5.  Exposed  pulp,  in  which  the  actual  exposure  of  the  pulp  by 
decay  or  by  accident  or  intention  during  excavation  renders  its 
treatment  necessary,  or  in  which  disease  of  the  pulp  compels  canal 
treatment. 

6.  Perforation  by  caries,  in  which  after  pulp  death  secondary  caries 
of  dentin  and  cementum  has  caused  an  opening  into  the  pericemental 
tract  (an  extension  from  the  condition  in  Fig.  346).     (See  Fig.  365.) 

7.  Loss  of  crown  by  caries. 

8.  Loss  of  root  by  caries. 

Each  of  these  stages  of  caries  requires  special  consideration  and  a 
therapeutics  adapted  to  each. 


THERAPEUTICS  OF  SUPERFICIAL  CARIES 

About  cavity  margins,  beneath  green  stain,  etc.,  along  bucco- 
cervical  margins,  and  at  points  of  approximal  contact  of  teeth  may 
frequently  be  seen  areas  of  enamel  decalcification,  the  enamel  not 
being  entirely  penetrated  (Fig.  322). 

It  is  possible  at  times  to  remove  the  decalcified  portion  by  means 
of  carborundum  strips,  files,  or  disks.  If  the  surface  be  highly 
polished  by  means  of  pumice  and  chalk,  and  subsequent  prophyl- 


396  DENTAL  CARIES 

axis  be  employed,  the  practice  may  be  endorsed  for  the  better  grades 
of  teeth,  and  particularly  in  the  anterior  part  of  the  mouth.  As  a 
rule,  however,  the  attempt  to  remove  supposed  superjficial  enamel 
caries  demonstrates  the  fact  that  the  enamel  is  deeply  affected,  and 
in  all  probability  the  dentin  as  well.  The  attempt  to  remove  such 
caries  upon  proximal  surfaces  by  files  and  stones  results  in  tooth 
deformity,  the  exposure  of  dentin  to  the  fluids  of  the  mouth,  and  the 
destruction  of  the  contact  points,  except,  perhaps,  when  in  the 
anterior  teeth  a  lingual  approach  is  made.  It  is  sometimes  proper  to 
remove  the  slight  superficial  caries  found  about  a  cavity,  either  prior 
to  excavation  in  order  to  determine  the  real  cavity  boundary,  or 
after  excavation  if  such  removal  would  give  an  even  better  tooth 
form,  and  lessen  a  recurrence  of  decay,  or,  in  some  cases,  after  filling 
when  both  filling  and  margin  are  reduced  together  to  a  proper 
form  and  integrity  of  enamel.  Some  judgment  is  required  in  such 
a  matter,  and  no  enamel  should  be  so  treated  if  any  doubt  exist  as 
to  its  future  integrity,  but  the  cavity  should  rather  be  extended  to 
include  the  doubtful  area. 

It  may  be  considered  a  safe  rule  to  examine,  by  means  of  the  electric 
mouth  lamp,  any  cases  of  suspected  superficial  caries  in  order  to 
determine  the  depth  of  enamel  invasion. 

The  large  majority  of  such  cases,  especially  in  the  poorer  grades 
of  teeth,  will  be  found  to  be  of  the  class  called  here  simple  caries. 

Upon  the  labial  or  buccal  surfaces  of  anterior  teeth  a  superficial 
decalcification  may  be  found.  This  may  be  removed  by  abrasives, 
the  surface  highly  polished,  and  the  patient  enjoined  to  use  great  care 
in  prophjdaxis.  Any  spots  at  which  simple  caries  exists  should  be 
excavated  and  filled. 

There  is  also,  at  times,  a  slight  superficial  decalcification  about 
simple  approximal  cavities,  and  its  removal  would  leave  the  slightly 
disked  margin  wall  free  from  contact  with  the  adjoining  tooth. 
Such  a  removal  is  at  times  warrantable,  either  before  or,  at  times, 
after  filling.  A  superficial  caries  of  cementum  and  dentin  may  exist. 
This  may  be  removed,  the  dentin  polished,  and  nitrate  of  silver 
applied  if  the  surfaces  be  not  exposed  to  view.  Along  buccocervical 
margins  strict  prophylaxis  at  times  aborts  the  carious  process  without 
disking,  and  sometimes  staining  with  silver  nitrate  is  useful. 


THERAPEUTICS  OF  SIMPLE  CARIES 

The  cases  cited  above  as  requiring  excavation  and  all  detectable 
cavities  of  very  limited  depth  may  be  classed  as  cases  of  simple 


THERAPEUTICS  OF  DEEP-SEATED  CARIES  397 

caries.  The  teeth  should  be  wedged  apart  if  this  be  needed  for  access, 
all  decalcified  enamel  and  dentin  removed,  the  cavity  properly 
extended  and  shaped,  and,  as  a  rule,  a  metal  filling  inserted.  All 
fissures  about  a  cavity  should  be  freely  opened  to  their  extremities, 
and  made  a  part  of  the  general  cavity. 

The  extension  upon  approximal  surfaces  should  include  all  super- 
ficial decay  that  cannot  be  so  disked  off  as  to  bring  the  filling  margin 
into  the  embrasures. 

At  times,  expediency — i.  e.,  the  systemic  condition  of  the  patient, 
the  character  of  the  decay  or  of  the  surrounding  tooth  structure,  or 
economy — warrants  the  use  of  a  good  amalgam  where  resistance  to 
attrition  is  required,  or  occasionally  of  gutta-percha,  in  suitable 
locations  not  exposed  to  attrition.  Upon  the  labial  surfaces  of 
incisors  porcelain  inlays  combine  efficiency  with  esthetics.  The 
silicate  cements  carefully  used  are  sometimes  indicated. 

If  a  simple  cavity  prove  inordinately  sensitive,  the  more  powerful 
remedies  may  be  freely  used  to  reduce  the  hypersensitivity,  and  the 
cavity  should  be  treated  with  carbolic  acid  before  filling,  particularly 
when  gold  is  to  be  used  in  cervicolabial  cavities  of  incisors.  By  this 
means  the  subsequent  effect  of  thermal  changes  is  lessened.  Recur- 
rence of  caries  is  more  likely  about  small  fillings  because  the  original 
condition  may  recur,  but  they  are  often  a  necessity.  Subsequent 
prophylaxis  is  of  importance,  and  to  that  end  all  fillings  should  be 
made  as  smooth  and  perfect  as  possible. 

In  some  cases  simple  caries  may  be  remo\ed  by  means  of  small 
gem  stones,  the  surface  polished,  and  prophylaxis  advocated.  If 
the  surface  become  sensitive  it  may  be  treated  with  silver  nitrate  if 
not  exposed  to  view.  This  is  especially  applicable  to  cervical  margins 
and  buccal  surfaces  of  third  molars. 


THERAPEUTICS  OF  DEEP-SEATED  CARIES 

In  this  stage  of  caries  there  is  usually,  although  by  no  means  always, 
an  easily  discoverable  cavity  of  size  (Fig.  337).  After  the  removal 
of  ragged  and  overhanging  enamel  margins,  and  of  loose  debris  in 
the  cavity,  it  is  noted  that  the  response  to  thermal  impulse  is  painful 
and  prompt.  In  washing  such  cavities,  water  at  a  temperature  of 
about  100°  F.  should  always  be  used;  cold  or  very  hot  water  being 
only  employed  in  cavity  irrigation  to  test  the  promptitude  of  response 
upon  the  part  of  the  pulp. 

In  treating  hypersensitivity  of  dentin  carbolic  acid  is  to  be  pre- 
ferred, the  mineral  acids  are  avoided,  and  if  strong  agents  like  zinc 


398  DENTAL  CARIES 

chlorid  or  Robinson's  remedy  are  used,  the  cavity  floor  is  to  be 
varnished  with  chloro-percha  or  "eavitine"  varnish,  which  are 
impermeable.  If  necessary  the  sedative  temporary  methods  may 
be  employed.     (See  p.  393.) 

A  mixture  of  cocain  with  nervocidine  may  be  useful,  as  indicated 
by  Soderberg.    (See  p.  389.) 

Cocain  cataphoresis  is  regarded  as  admissible  in  all  stages  of  caries. 

The  removal  of  all  the  softened  dentin,  which  should  be  done  in 
these  cases,  forms  a  cavity  of  such  magnitude  that  proximity  to  the 
pulp  is  evident.  The  softening  has  proceeded  for  a  distance  beneath 
the  enamel,  so  that  when  all  softened  dentin  is  cut  away  from  beneath 
it  the  latter  tissue  may  overhang  the  general  cavity  unsupported. 
These  overhanging  walls  are  cut  away  until  the  region  of  strong 
enamel  is  reached,  and  then  it  may  be  that  the  walls  still  overhang 
the  general  cavity.  It  is  usually  not  necessary  nor  advisable  to 
remove  this  portion  of  enamel. 

At  the  completion  of  excavation  the  pulpal  wall  of  the  cavity  will 
be  in  fair  proximity  to  the  pulp.  A  blast  of  cool  air  from  a  chip 
syringe  may  produce  an  immediate  response  upon  the  part  of  the 
pulp,  vigorous  in  proportion  to  the  thinness  of  its  dentinal  covering 
and  its  irritability. 

In  many  cases  non-conducting  substances  are  required  as  inter- 
mediates between  the  pulpal  wall  and  the  metal  filling.  In  many 
other  cases  the  metal  filling  may  be  placed  directly  upon  the  dentin 
without  danger.  In  some  cases  a  simple  layer  of  non-conducting 
varnish,  such  as  "cavitine,"^  will  be  sufiicient.  In  others  zinc  phos- 
phate or  gutta-percha  must  be  added.  The  degree  of  the  response  to 
a  blast  of  cool  air  will  afford  a  guide  to  the  nature  of  the  intermediate 
required  if  any  be  deemed  necessary.  In  no  case  should  varnish  or 
gutta-percha  be  allowed  to  remain  in  the  portions  of  cavity  that 
support  the  covering  filling  material,  and  which  is  subjected  to  the 
force  of  mastication.  The  resilient  nature  of  such  substances  will 
cause  the  loosening  of  the  filling  and  probably  induce  mechanical 
or  infective  irritation  of  the  fibrils  and  through  them  of  the  pulp 
(Fig.  364). 

In  some  cases  the  undermined  state  of  the  enamel  wall  necessitates 
the  use  of  an  adhesive  zinc  phosphate  as  a  means  of  support  by 
replacing  the  lost  dentin,  and  in  such  the  pulpal  wall  may  be  covered 
and  so  protected  from  impact  as  well  as  from  thermal  changes. 

The  action  of  zinc  phosphate  upon  dentinal  fibrils  and  the  pulp 

'  Cavitine  is  a  solution  of  trinitrocellulose  in  subacetate  of  amyl.  Gum  sandarac  in  alcohol,  gum 
copal  in  ether,  or  Canada  balsam  in  chloroform,  about  3  drams  to  the  ounce  of  solvent  and  a  little 
hydronaphthol  added,  makes  an  antiseptic  cavity  varnish. 


THERAPEUTICS  OF  DEEP-SEATED  CARIES 


399 


Fig.  364 


being  a  matter  of  some  doubt,  it  is  better  that  the  pulpal  wall  be 
varnished  before  it  is  introduced.  The  varnish  not  only  acts  as  an 
impervious  coating,  but  also  serves  as  an  additional  non-conductor. 
If  made  antiseptic  it  is  still  more  useful. 

After  the  cavity  is  prepared  it  is  sterilized  and  dried,  as  described 
in  the  next  stage  of  caries,  is  coated  with  varnish,  and  Harvard  zinc 
phosphate  mixed  stiff  is  packed  into  the  under- 
cuts and  over  the  pulpal  wall,  and  approximately 
formed. 

When  set  the  enamel  margins  are  freed  of 
cement  and  the  cement  is  excavated  to  the  form 
required.  In  some  cases  cement  can  only  be 
placed  over  the  pulpal  wall,  owing  to  lack  of  room 
for  both  cement  and  the  covering  filling.  In 
such  cases  the  combined  use  of  soft  cement  and 
gold,  or  soft  cement  and  amalgam,  is  useful. 

In  deep-seated  caries  the  extension  of  cavity 
margins  in  such  a  manner  as  to  prevent  recur- 
rence of  decay  is  demanded.     Upon  approximal 
surfaces  the  ideal  conditions  are  an  extension  of 
buccal  and  lingual  margins  to  a  point  which  will 
permit  a  contoured  metal  filling  to  have  its  cor- 
responding   buccal    and    lingual    margins    well 
irrigated  by  the  action  of  the  tooth-brush  and 
food  in  mastication.     Often  a  slight  alteration 
of  tooth  form,  together  with   contouring  of  fill- 
ings, accomplishes  the  end  desired  without  undue 
cutting  of   tooth   structure.     Thus   the    cervical   margin   may    be 
slightly  reduced  with  strips  or  disks  to  assume  an  absence  of  contact, 
but  the  enamel  must  not  be  totally  removed.      The  lingual  or  buccal 
margin  may  be  treated  in  a  similar  manner. 

The  cervical  margin  of  the  cavity  and  filling  are  best  protected 
when  overlapped  by  healthy  gum  tissue,  and  if  the  gum  be  ap- 
proached, should  be  so  arranged.  The  cervical  margin  should  always 
be  extended  beyond  the  contact  point  in  such  cases,  whether  carried 
beneath  the  gum  or  not.  Incisal  margins  are  to  have  similar  con- 
sideration. 

Firm  approximal  contact  of  fillings  or  filling  and  tooth  are  required 
to  prevent  packing  of  food  into  the  interproximal  space.  This  would 
both  injure  the  gum  and  introduce  the  fermentable  element  in  caries 
production.  The  point  of  contact  should  be  neatly  rounded  to 
produce  a  normal  contact.  This  contact  should  be  obtained  even  if 
the  filling  must  be  overcontoured. 


Diagram  illustrating 
the  use  of  pulp  protec- 
tors: V,  a  layer  of  var- 
nish ;  GP,  a  layer  of  low 
heat  gutta-percha,  or  in 
case  of  exposure  a  layer 
of  Jodoformagen,  or  zinc 
oxid  and  thymol  in  which 
case  the  varnish  is  omit- 
ted; ZP,  zinc  phosphate 
with  or  without  thymol 
added;  M,  metal  cover- 
ing. 


400  DENTAL  CARIES 

An  exception  may  at  times  be  made  where  a  space  has  previously 
naturally  existed,  and  the  gum  margin  is  healthy. 

Teeth  should  never  be  joined  by  fillings  alone,  as  one  or  both  will 
usually  loosen.  If  necessary  for  the  protection  of  the  gum,  both  may 
be  crowned  and  the  crowns  united  by  solder,  or  a  staple  may  be 
placed  in  the  pulp  canals  of  the  two  teeth.  About  this  a  common 
filling  may  be  built.  It  may  be  that  gold  inlays,  locked  in  spacious 
"doll  heads"  or  the  occlusal  surfaces  of  both  teeth,  and  extending 
over  to  distal  approximal  surfaces  as  well  as  into  the  cavities,  may  be 
joined  or  cast  double  as  a  means  of  support.  The  strain  upon  such 
fillings  is  very  great  when  occlusion  exists,  as  teeth  are  bodies  with 
individual  motion  and  are  apt  to  be  pushed  away  from  the  filling. 
(See  Pyorrhea  Alveolaris.) 


THERAPEUTICS  OF  ALMOST  EXPOSED  PULP 

In  this  stage  of  caries  complaint  is  usually  made  that  for  some 
time  pain  has  been  produced  by  the  presence  in  the  mouth  of  cool 
or  hot  substances.  Several  classes  of  almost  exposed  pulps  may  be 
discovered  after  opening  the  cavity  and  removing  the  bulk  of  the 
decayed  dentin.  In  the  simplest  class  the  pulpal  wall  may  be  found 
sound  after  removal  of  all  decalcified  dentin.  This  makes  practically 
a  case  of  deep-seated  caries,  and  is  to  be  treated  as  such,  the  close 
approach  to  the  pulp  simply  demanding  additional  precautions  as 
to  non-conduction,  prevention  of  compression,  and  infection.  The 
cavity  is  to  be  neutralized  with  a  solution  of  sodium  bicarbonate  or 
5  per  cent,  sodium  dioxid  solution,  etc.,  and  dried;  over  the  pulpal 
wall  "cavitin"  with  hydronaphthol  added  or  other  antiseptic  varnish, 
and  dried  again. 

I^ — Hydronaphthol gr.  ij 

Alcohol gtt.  XX — M. 

Add  to  the  half-ounce  bottle  of  "cavitine  "i 

A  thin  wafer  of  softened  gutta-percha  is  to  be  laid  over  the  pulpal 
wall  in  such  manner  as  not  to  interfere  with  the  introduction  of 
cement.  In  place  of  these  any  of  the  pulp  capping  cements  may  be 
used  as  a  first  layer  (Fig.  364).  Harvard  zinc  phosphate  mixed  to  a 
consistency  just  suited  to  the  case  may  be  pressed  laterally  into  the 
undercuts,  and  will  spread  nicely  over  the  gutta-percha  without 
pressure.  Under  no  circumstances  must  the  superstructures  depend 
upon  the  gutta-percha  base  as  a  support,  as  the  filling  may  loosen 
or  the  wall  be  broken. 

The  operation  may  be  varied  for  cases  of  but  limited  retaining 


THERAPEUTICS  OF  ALMOST  EXPOSED  PULP  401 

periphery  by  gently  spreading  the  zinc  phosphate  over  the  varnish, 
or,  in  some  cases,  the  gold  and  zinc  phosphate  or  amalgam  and  zinc 
phosphate  combination  may  be  required. 

In  the  use  of  gold  and  zinc  phosphate  a  portion  of  crystal  gold  is 
gently  tapped  into  a  mass  of  soft,  quick-setting  cement  placed  over 
the  varnish  and  the  setting  of  the  cement  awaited.  The  gold  is  then 
condensed  and  more  added. 

With  the  amalgam  and  zinc  phosphate  combination,  after  placing 
the  gutta-percha,  soft  cement  is  placed  upon  one  cavity  margin, 
and  a  ball  of  previously  prepared  amalgam  is  laid  upon  it.  Pressure 
upon  the  amalgam  by  means  of  a  ball  burnisher  causes  the  cement  to 
be  spread  over  the  cavity  wall  in  advance  of  the  amalgam.  It  practi- 
cally inlays  the  metal  filling,  but  permits  a  better  marginal  joint  with 
the  metal.  The  margins  are  freed  of  amalgam  and  cement,  and  the 
operation  is  completed  with  amalgam.  It  also  prevents  the  shifting 
and  dislodgement  in  any  degree  of  the  metal  filling  which  sometimes 
occurs  in  the  act  of  introduction,  unless  guarded  against. 

This,  of  course,  refers  to  locations  in  which  the  latter  is  indicated. 
The  cement  in  the  combination  increases  the  adhesion  and  prevents 
leakage  and  the  discoloration  of  the  walls  by  the  amalgam.  A  trifle 
of  thymol  added  to  the  cement  (1  to  20)  imparts  to  it  an  antiseptic 
character  without  impairing  its  integrity  as  a  cement. 

The  second  class  of  almost  exposed  pulp  is  that  in  which  thorough 
excavation  would  cause  exposure  of  the  pulp. 

If  the  dentin  be  of  the  disintegrated,  boggy  sort,  it  should  be 
removed  regardless  of  exposure;  but  if  it  be  simply  softened  by 
decalcification  and  be  quite  firmly  adherent  to  the  cavity  floor,  and 
particularly  if  it  be  somewhat  thickly  distributed,  the  deeper  layers 
may  be  left  in  situ,  as  a  pulp  covering. 

In  such  cases  all  lateral  walls  should  be  thoroughly  excavated  and 
only  a  thin  layer  left  over  the  pulp  horns,  ^^^lile,  without  doubt,  the 
tubules  of  decalcified  dentin  are  liable  to  be  invaded  by  bacteria, 
Miller  has  shown  that  frequently  such  dentin  may  exist  without 
invasion.     (See  Fig.  340.) 

The  argument  that  such  dentin  contains  poisonous  products  of 
bacteria  deleterious  to  the  pulp  does  not  seem  borne  out  by  results 
in  carefully  handled  cases. 

That  some  of  these  protected  pulps  may  die  is  a  fact  not  to  be 
disputed,  but  that  many  live  in  security  is  also  true.  Whether  such 
dentin  can  be  recalcified  has  not  yet  been  scientifically  shown,  but 
certain  cases  treated  with  oxychlorid  of  zinc  have  shown  evidences 
of  it,  and  ^Miller  records  cases  of  hardening  of  such  caries  even 
without  treatment. 
26 


402  DENTAL  CARIES 

The  treatment  required  for  this  dentin  is:  (1)  Neutrahzation  of 
the  acid  present;  (2)  saturation  with  a  permanent  antiseptic;  (3)  an 
antiseptic  non-conductive  covering. 

After  drying,  a  weak  solution  of  sodium  bicarbonate  or  ammonium 
carbonate  will  accomplish  the  first  requirements.  The  dentin  is  then 
thoroughly  dried  and  saturated  with  "cavitine"  varnish  containing 
hydronaphthol  or  a  solution  of  Canada  balsam  containing  hydro- 
naphthol,  or  thin  chloro-percha  containing  aristol  or  iodoform,  or 
the  formaldehyd  preparations  known  as  "Formagen"  and  "Jodo- 
formagen"  may  be  spread  over  it,  or  oxychlorid  of  zinc,  the  fluid 
of  which  has  been  diluted  one-third  with  water,  may  be  used  as  a 
covering  (use  fluid,  2  drops;  distilled  water,  1  drop),  or  a  mixture  of 
zinc  oxid  and  thymol  may  be  melted  over  it. 

Williams^  suggests  that  the  decalcified  dentin  be  first  saturated 
with  absolute  alcohol  for  one  minute,  then  dried,  then  wet  with  oil 
of  cloves  for  one  minute,  then  again  dried,  after  which  the  varnish, 
etc.,  is  to  be  used.  Solution  of  sulphate  of  copper  may  be  used  to 
saturate  the  dentin,  after  which  it  should  be  dried  and  encased  in 
varnish,  etc.     This  last  only  in  posterior  teeth. 

The  use  of  these  preparations  obviates  the  necessity  of  sealing 
temporary  antiseptics  in  the  cavity,  as  they  are  in  themselves  more 
or  less  permanently  antiseptic.  The  rigid  preparations  are  most 
convenient.  Over  them  zinc  phosphate,  made  antiseptic  with 
thymol  (1  to  20),  is  packed,  and  if  any  doubt  exist,  the  cavity  is 
temporarily  sealed  with  gutta-percha  or  temporary  stopping.  When 
all  doubt  is  at  rest  the  metal  filling  may  be  placed.  In  another 
method,  useful  in  doubtful  cases  in  determining  the  possible  bad 
reaction  of  the  pulp,  a  quite  stiffly  mixed  paste  of  eugenol  and 
Hubbuck's  zinc  oxid  may  be  introduced  into  the  base  of  the  cavity, 
gently  pressed  to  place  with  cotton,  and  covered  with  sandarac  or 
cotton,  or  at  a  subsequent  sitting  part  of  it  may  be  left  as  a  reason- 
ably firm  antiseptic  foundation.  If  desired,  the  entire  cavity  may 
be  filled  with  it,  or  better,  to  a  slightly  concave  surface.  Exposed 
to  the  saliva  it  hardens  to  a  degree  sufficient  to  act'  as  a  cement 
temporary  filling  for  weeks  or  months,  or,  occasionally,  even  years. ^ 

In  some  cases  of  deep-seated  caries  in  which  gold  filling  is  desirable, 
but  in  which  linings  are  contraindicated,  yet  in  which  immediate 
filling  with  metal  would  involve  such  thorough  excavation  as  to 
endanger  pulp  vitality  either  as  the  result  of  excavation  or  subsequent 
thermal  shocks,  oxychlorid  of  zinc  may  be  placed  in  the  peripherally 
prepared  cavities,  and  over  considerable  masses  of  decalcified  dentin. 

1  Items  of  Interest,  1898.  2  Dr.  S.  Blair  Luckie. 


THERAPEUTICS  OF  ALMOST  EXPOSED  PULP  403 

If  allowed  to  remain  for  several  months  (three  to  six)  the  oxychlorid 
stimulates  the  pulp  to  the  formation  of  some  secondary  dentin,  and 
complete  excavation  to  a  soimd  basis  may  be  made.  There  is  also 
some  evidence  of  hardening  of  the  dentin.  This  method  is  open  to 
the  possible  objection  that  secondary  dentin  is  a  source  of  future 
trouble,  but  the  method  has  its  advantages  in  badly  decayed  anterior 
teeth. ^  In  very  deep  cavities  the  fluid  of  the  oxychlorid  should  be 
diluted  one-third  with  distilled  water  for  the  first  portion. 

In  these  cases  porcelain  inlays,  with  their  underlying  cement, 
should  have  due  consideration  as  therapeutic  means. 

In  deep  and  very  deep-seated  caries,  in  situations  in  which  dis- 
coloration is  not  of  great  moment,  the  cavity  may  first  be  filled  with 
oxyphosphate  of  copper  for  its  antiseptic  value.  The  cavity  may  be 
entirely  filled  with  it,  or  it  may  be  used  as  a  combination  with 
amalgam.  Copper  amalgam  alone  ordinarily  becomes  disintegrated 
and  caries  recurs.  Occasionally  it  lasts  well  (especially  Sullivan's); 
copper  and  its  salts  are  germicidal  in  a  short  time.  The  ordinarily 
good  behavior  of  somewhat  doubtful  dentin  under  it  is  thus  explained. 

Dobrzyniecki^  (Budapest),  in  eight  experimental  cases  upon 
microscopically  sound-looking  dentin,  claims  to  have  found  the 
Bacillus  gangrenae  pulpse  vital  after  months  of  enclosure  under 
sealed  dressings  of  camphor,  concentrated  carbolic  acid,  or  eucalyp- 
tus oil.  All  other  organisms  were  devitalized.  As  Arkovy's'  experi- 
ments showed  the  decided  influence  of  carbolic  acid  over  this 
organism,  and  as  root-canal  antiseptics  are  nearly  always  successful 
in  cases  of  moist  gangrene  of  the  pulp  (Bacillus  gangrense  pulpse 
Arkovy),  the  difficulty  of  destroying  this  germ  by  germicides  left 
indefinitely  in  the  cavity  must  be  accepted  with  reservation. 

In  some  desperate  cases  with  the  walls  frail,  the  cements,  either 
zinc  phosphate  or  so-called  silicate  cements,  may  be  used  as  a  last 
resort  before  crowning.  The  silicate  cements  are  less  soluble  in  the 
acids  contained  in  saliva  or  formed  from  carbohydrates  against  the 
filling  than  are  the  zinc  phosphates. 

Hinkins  and  Acree^  claim  that  one-fifth  of  1  per  cent,  is  sufficient 
to  dissolve  the  zinc  phosphate,  and  that  enough  acid  elements  enter 
from  the  blood  to  affect  it. 

The  silicate  cements  dissolve  more  readilv  under  friction  than 


1  In  some  cases  of  this  sort  seen  by  the  writer,  and  observed  for  from  ten  to  twenty  years,  the 
ill-results  of  oxychlorid  of  zinc  claimed  have  not  been  observed.  In  one  case,  after  sixteen  years, 
a  lateral  incisor  crown  broke  off,  and  the  pulp  was  found  to  have  receded,  but  was  otherwise 
apparently  healthy.  The  question  is  one  of  the  advisability  of  immediate  devitalization,  with 
its  advantages  and  disadvantages  in  anterior  teeth,  or  of  a  possible  remote  pulp  death,  etc. 

2  Soderberg  upon  Arkovy:  Dental  Cosmos,  1899.  '  Ibid. 
*  See  Dental  Cosmos,  June,  1901,  and  March,  1905. 


404  DENTAL  CARIES 

under  the  action  of  acid,  so  that  of  two  filhngs  the  one  which  is  not 
exposed  to  attrition  or  brush  action  is  usually  in  better  condition 
after  about  two  years.  Much  care  is  necessary  to  prevent  the 
discoloration  of  silicate  cements. 


THERAPEUTICS  OF  EXPOSED  PULP 

The  exposure  of  the  pulp  may  be  the  direct  result  of  caries;  the 
removal  of  boggy,  disintegrated  dentin  may  produce  it,  or  it  may 
be  the  result  of  the  removal  of  a  last  layer  of  decalcified  dentin 
or  of  the  careless  or  inadvertent  perforation  of  sound  dentin  by 
instruments.  Fracture  or  abrasion  are  occasionally  responsible  for 
exposure.     Erosion  rarely  causes  it. 

Diagnosis. — After  excavation  of  the  cavity,  washing  with  tepid 
water,  and  drying,  direct  vision  or  a  reflected  image  in  the  mouth 
mirror  may  reveal  the  area  of  exposure  as  a  round  opening  occupied 
by  a  pinkish  or  red  body.  If  the  exposure  be  reasonably  large, 
pulsation  of  the  red  body  ma}^  usually  be  observed.  The  exposure 
may  be  so  slight  as  to  be  invisible,  the  depth  of  the  cavity,  however, 
indicating  that  exposure  probably  exists.  Bleeding  is  a  certain  guide, 
but  bleeding  from  the  gum  margin  must  be  borne  in  mind.  Truman 
advises  that  finely  carded  cotton  be  gently  passed  over  the  cavity 
walls,  exposure  being  detected  by  the  momentary  pain  produced 
when  the  fibers  pass  over  the  area  of  exposure. 

As  this  test  may  fail,  in  cases  of  known  exposure,  it  is  not  altogether 
reliable,  but  is  fairly  so  when  pain  is  produced,  though  hypersensitive 
dentin  must  be  borne  in  mind. 

A  finely  pointed  probe  may  be  gently  dragged  over  the  pulpal 
wall  and  catches  in  the  orifice  of  exposure,  however  small.  A  slight, 
quick  start  upon  the  part  of  the  patient  is  usually  elicited.  This  may 
consist  simply  of  a  .winking  of  the  eyelid.  Flagg  warned  against 
requesting  an  affirmative  nod  by  the  patient,  as  this  would  cause 
injury  to  the  pulp.  Delicately  used,  this  test  is  the  most  reliable  in 
all  classes  of  cases,  and  is  not  painful. 

It  is  to  be  remembered  that  disease  may  have  caused  a  loss  of  a 
portion  of  a  pulp  horn,  in  which  case  the  cotton  test  will  fail;  gentle 
exploration  will  detect  the  amount  lost.  Blood,  or  pus  followed  by 
blood,  or  sensation  after  entering  the  horn  of  the  pulp  cavity,  are 
evidences  of  exposure. 

Excruciating  pain  following  mastication,  or  pressure  or  suction 
exerted  upon  the  cavity  by  means  of  the  tongue,  are  subjective  symp- 
toms indicating  a  probable  diagnosis  of  exposure.    Increase  of  pain, 


THERAPEUTICS  OF  EXPOSED  PULP  405 

or  throbbing  pain  following  the  use  of  salt,  sweet,  (jr  acid  foods,  is 
fairly  indicative  of  a  practical  exposure. 

Treatment. — ^An  exposed  pulp  is  either  to  be  capped  or  removed 
and  the  canals  filled. 

The  consensus  of  opinion  is  that  ordinarily  all  pulps  should  be 
removed,  except  those  freshly  exposed  by  removal  of  simply  decal- 
cified dentin  and  by  accident.  There  is  no  certainty  that  pulps 
exposed  by  caries  or  practically  so  will  live  under  capping  materials, 
but  the  attempt  may  be  made  at  times  for  special  reasons. 

Freshly  exposed  pulps  may  be  capped  or  removed.  Perhaps  a  good 
rule  would  confine  capping  to  anterior  teeth  of  the  better  grades  in 
patients  in  good  physical  condition,  and  to  pulps  in  teeth  having 
incomplete  roots.  The  improved  methods  of  pulp  removal  and  canal 
antisepsis  warrant  pulp  destruction  as  a  safer  method  than  capping 
in  most  posterior  teeth.  Even  in  anterior  teeth  pulp  removal  for 
anchorage  purposes,  if  needed,  is  quite  warrantable.  The  advan- 
tages of  capping  are  maintenance  of  tooth  translucency  and  the 
avoidance  of  canal  work. 

The  disadvantages  are:  (1)  Possible  death  of  the  pulp  by  hyper- 
emia due  to  conduction  of  thermal  changes.  (2)  An  overproduction 
of  secondary  dentin,  the  production  of  pulp  nodules,  or  other  degen- 
erative changes,  the  pulp  becoming  exhausted  and  death  ensuing. 
Increased  difficulty  of  canal  treatment  may  result.  (3)  Disease  of 
the  pulp  due  to  infection  beneath  the  capping  material.  (4)  The 
time  required  for  assurance  of  success  or  failure. 

The  object  sought  in  capping  is  the  protection  of  the  pulp  from 
thermal  changes,  infection,  and  compression,  as  either  is  fatal  to  pulp 
vitality.  This  is  best  accomplished  by  placing  in  contact  with  the 
pulp  an  antiseptic  paste  beneath  a  metal  cap,  or  an  antiseptic 
cement  having,  when  set,  sufficient  rigidity  to  permit  other  work 
to  be  done. 

Prognosis  is  favorable  for  the  cases  selected  as  suggested. 

Pulp  Capping. — The  metal  cap  should  be  made  of  platinum  or  gold 
for  anterior  teeth.  Tin,  lead,  or  silver  may  be  used  posteriorly.  After 
punching  or  trimming  to  shape  it  should  be  made  concavo-convex 
by  pressing  it  into  soft  wood  by  means  of  the  rounded  end  of  an 
instrument  handle.  A  film  of  wax  is  placed  on  the  convex  side; 
a  warmed,  small  burnisher  is  attached,  and  the  cap  is  adjusted  in 
proper  position  by  trying  in  the  cavity.  It  is  then  to  be  filled  with 
the  capping  material  (a  little  of  the  latter  placed  in  any  depression 
at  the  point  of  exposure  in  order  to  exclude  air) ;  then  one  side  of  the 
cap  is  laid  upon  the  dentin  and  the  other  gradually  brought  down, 
and  the  edges  of  the  cap  firmly  adapted  to  the  dentin.    This  causes 


406  DENTAL  CARIES 

the  paste  to  exude  from  beneath  the  cap.  Any  excess  is  gently 
removed  with  an  excavator  if  not  of  an  immediately  setting  paste.  A 
little  antiseptic  varnish  or  chloro-percha  is  to  be  placed  over  the 
pulpal  wall  and  cap,  and  dried.  A  little  soft  zinc  phosphate  plus 
thymol  or  oxychlorid  of  zinc  cement  is  now  placed  over  the  varnish 
as  a  protection,  and  when  set  the  filling  is  completed  with  gutta- 
percha or  zinc  phosphate  cement,  which  is  to  be  allowed  to  remain  a 
year  as  a  test  of  success. 

These  may  be  renewed  as  worn  out  if  desirable,  or  a  portion  of 
the  covering  filling  may  be  cut  away  and  metal  introduced.  In 
case  a  plastic  filling  is  desirable  in  any  event,  the  operation  is  to  be 
completed  at  the  time  of  capping  or  at  a  subsequent  sitting. 

The  materials  used  with  success  as  pulp  cappers  are: 

1.  A  mixture  of  oil  of  cloves  and  zinc  oxid  (equal  parts  of  car- 
bolic acid  and  oil  of  cloves  may  be  used  as  the  menstruum).  Hub- 
buck's  zinc  oxid  or  cement  powder  may  be  used.  This  is  mixed  to  a 
consistency  which  will  flow,  yet  set  after  some  hours  or  days. 

2.  Oxy sulphate  of  zinc,  the  fluid  of  which  is  a  saturated  solution 
of  zinc  sulphate  in  water.  The  powder  is  uncalcined  zinc  oxid.  This 
will  make  a  thin,  creamy  paste  which  flows  readily  and  sets  quickly. 
A  trifle  of  aristol,  iodoform,  or  hydronaphthol  may  be  added. 

3.  Plaster  of  Paris  mixed  with  a  1  per  cent,  solution  of  formaldehyd 
in  water  will  make  an  antiseptic,  quick-setting  paste. 

4.  "  Jodoformagen."  This  substance  is  said  to  hav^e  a  mixture  of 
eugenol  and  carbolic  acid  for  the  fluid,  while  the  powder  is  of  zinc 
oxid,  containing  paraform,  the  solid  form  of  formaldehyd.  It  also 
contains  salts  of  iodin.  A  cement  is  formed  which  sets  quickly, 
and  must,  therefore,  be  made  very  thin  when  placed  in  the  cap. 
This  material  seems  to  have  been  somewhat  successful  as  a  capper 
even  in  exposures  by  caries,  owing  to  its  intense  germicidal  power. 
It  is  claimed  that  the  formaldehyd  penetrates  the  tissue  of  the  pulp 
for  a  distance,  yet  permits  its  return  to  normality. 

5.  Oxychlorid  of  zinc,  with  the  fluid  diluted  with  50  per  cent,  of 
distilled  water  (1  to  2),  will  cap  successfully.  It  is  well  to  add  a  little 
powdered  thymol  to  lessen  irritation  and  add  antisepsis. 

6.  Crystallized  thymol.  It  can  be  gently  melted  on  the  end  of 
a  burnisher  and  dropped  on  the  point  of  exposure  to  crystallize,  or 
a  piece  of  a  mixture  of  thymol  and  zinc  oxid,  made  by  melting  the 
former  and  incorporating  the  latter,  may  be  added  to  the  drop  of 
thymol  in  position  and  melted  with  a  warm  burnisher.  Setting 
cappers  may  be  used  without  metal. 

Results  of  Capping. — If  pain  be  initiated  when  the  cap  is  placed 
and  recur  later,  compression  has  occurred,  and  the  capping  must  be 


THERAPEUTICS  OF  PERFORATION  BY  CARIES  407 

removed,  the  pulp  quieted,  and  the  capping  renewed  or  the  pulp 
removed.  Though  no  sensation  be  produced  at  the  time  of  operation, 
a  reaction  to  thermal  changes  may  occur.  If  this  gradually  subside 
as  counterirritants  are  used,  a  diagnosis  of  arterial  hyperemia  (aseptic) 
is  confirmed.  If  the  reaction  increase  and  heat  become  more  irri- 
tating than  cold,  and  if  at  the  same  time  paroxysms  of  pain  or  reflex 
pain  occur,  the  diagnosis  is  that  of  venous  hyperemia  or  infective 
inflammation,  according  to  the  character  of  the  symptoms,  and  the 
pulp  must  be  removed.  In  cases  of  incomplete  roots  the  large  fora- 
men prevents  the  formation  of  a  venous  stasis.  Even  if  the  pulp  be 
kept  alive  only  until  root  completion,  much  good  will  be  done.  As  an 
example,  in  one  case  a  lower  second  molar,  exposed  by  caries  and 
capped  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  at  twenty-three  years  reacts  as  vital 
to  an  interrupted  electric  current,  and  is  perfectly  comfortable. 

A  pulp  may  remain  quiescent  for  weeks  or  months  and  then  un- 
favorable symptoms  set  in,  or  it  may  die  without  any  apparent  pain. 
It  is  probable  that  in  the  latter  case  some  reflex  pains  have  been  felt, 
but  not  related  with  the  tooth,  in  the  mind  of  the  patient. 

In  the  successful  cases,  either  the  orifice  of  exposure  is  covered 
over  by  a  deposit  of  secondary  dentin,  or  the  pulp  remains  perfectly 
quiescent  beneath  the  capping  material,  without  formation  of  deposit. 

Even  when  a  deposit  occurs  the  pulp  may  die  from  the  atrophy 
and  degeneration  attendant  upon  the  formation  of  much  secondary 
dentin,  and  when  no  deposit  occurs  infection  following  leakages 
about  filling  and  capping  materials  may  take  place  after  years  of 
apparent  success. 

While  capping  may  be,  and  has  been,  successful  in  all  grades  of 
exposure,  there  is  no  certainty  of  success  in  the  exposure  by  caries. 
The  tentative  treatment  necessary  offsets  the  labor  of  canal  treat- 
ment. The  alternative  to  capping  the  pulp  is  its  removal.  This 
requires  a  special  chapter  (which  see). 


THERAPEUTICS  OF  PERFORATION  BY  CARIES 

The  progress  of  secondary  caries  about  the  pulp  chamber  hollows 
out  the  root  until  at  least  at  one  point  the  chamber  wall  is  but  a 
decalcified  layer  of  cementum  covered  by  decomposing  dentin.  At 
some  point  the  pericemental  tissue  will  be  uncovered  by  excavation 
or  by  the  carious  process  (Fig.  346).  The  crow^n  will  probably  be 
badly  decayed.  Taking,  as  an  example,  a  low^er  molar  perfor- 
ated at  the  bifurcation  with  the  pericemental  tissue  hypertrophied 
into  the  opening  (fungous  gum),  its  treatment  may  be  described  as 


408 


DENTAL  CARIES 


follows:  The  gum  is  first  to  be  pressed  out  with  cotton  medicated 
with  an  antiseptic  varnish.  Fletcher's  carbolized  resin,  or  aristol  in 
chloroform,  or  sandarac  varnish  plus  orthoform,  will  serve. 

If  immediate  work  be-  desired,  polypoid  fungous  gum  may  be 
saturated  with  trichloracetic  acid  and  cut  away  without  bloodletting 
by  means  of  a  large,  sharp,  spoon  excavator,  or  cocain  or  ethyl 


Fig.  305 


Fig,  366 


Diagram  of  treatment  of  perforation  by  decay. 


Crowning  of  divided  roots.     (Evans.) 


chlorid  may  be  used  for  local  anesthesia.  Large,  rose-head  burs  are 
used  to  free  the  cavity  of  all  decay.  The  canals  are  opened  and 
treated.  If  further  treatment  be  desired,  or  be  impossible  until 
the  perforation  is  disposed  of,  metal  or  wooden  pegs  (the  Downie 
broach  reamers  will  serve)  are  placed  in  the  canals  and  a  reasonably 
thin  layer  of  copper  amalgam  is  built  about  the  pins  and  over  the 


Fig    307 


Fig.  368 


Cantilever  crown.   (Evans. >) 


Diagram  of  a  lateral  perforation  treated  with  gutta- 
percha; successful  for  seven  years,  when  breakage  of 
the  crown  occurred  including  the  perforation:  GP, 
gutta-percha;  OZ,  oxychlorid  of  zinc;  A,  amalgam. 


perforation.  A  slight  movement  of  the  pegs  will  permit  their  with- 
drawal, leaving  openings  in  the  amalgam  through  which  the  treat- 
ment may  be  subsequently  conducted.  The  amalgam  is  then 
allowed  to  harden   (Fig.  365).     To  carry  on  the  treatment  while 


1  Artificial  Crown  and  Bridge-work. 


THERAPEUTICS  OF  LOSS  OF  CROWN  BY  CARIES        409 

hardening,  form  ocresolon  cotton  pellets  may  be  inserted  over  the 
openings  in  the  amalgam  and  sealed  over  with  soft  cement. 

After  canal  filling  the  canals  may  be  fnrther  reamed  for  screws  or 
pins,  which  are  inserted  and  the  operation  completed  with  amalgam 
or  zinc  phosphate  if  the  condition  of  the  crown  admit  of  it;  or,  if 
crowning  be  required,  this  is  arranged  for  in  the  building  up  with 
amalgam. 

A  long  perforation  at  a  bifurcation  may  practically  divide  molar 
roots.  This  is  to  be  made  a  complete  division  after  treatment  of  the 
canals.  Each  section  may  be  fitted  with  a  pin  and  amalgam  stump, 
to  which  a  gold  barrel  is  fitted.  The  barrels  are  each  given  an  occlu- 
sal face,  or  the  two  a  common  occlusal  face,  and  soldered  together 
(Fig.  366). 

If  one  root  be  unsuitable  it  may  be  extracted  and  the  other  used 
as  a  foundation  for  a  cantilever  crown,  a  spur  from  which  rests 
slightly  upon  the  occlusal  face  of  the  adjoining  tooth  (Fig.  367),  or 
the  crown  may  carry  a  spur  which  rests  in  an  inlay  or  filling  in  the 
adjoining  tooth. 

A  smooth  plaque  of  low-heat,  white  gutta-percha  (not  temporary 
stopping)  makes  an  excellent  covering  for  a  perforation.  It  is  made 
larger  than  the  opening  to  be  covered,  pressed  to  place,  and  the 
edges  sealed  with  a  hot  burnisher.  The  covering  filling  will  retain  it 
in  position.  The  approach  to  the  perforation  should  be  widely 
funnelled  to  permit  a  ready  adaptation.  If  sepsis  occur,  the  resulting 
abscess  will  occur  opposite  the  perforation,  or  in  some  cases  create 
a  small  pocket  similar  to  a  pyorrhea  pocket.  In  all  cases  judgment 
must  be  exercised,  and  the  attempt  to  conserve  unsuitable  cases 
avoided  (Fig.  368). 


THERAPEUTICS  OF  LOSS  OF  CROWN  BY  CARIES 

If  the  portion  of  crown  left  after  excavation  be  self-sustaining, 
but  incapable  of  retaining  a  filling  in  the  cavity,  pins  or  screws 
may  be  placed  in  the  root  canal  or  the  pulp  cavity  may  be  enlarged 
and  made  retentive.  A  filling  is  then  built  about  or  into  the  anchor- 
age so  made.  At  times  the  remainder  of  a  tooth  crown  will  support 
a  hollow  metal  crown. 

When  the  carious  crown  has  broken  away  or  filling  has  become 
practically  impossible  or  undesirable,  the  original  beauty  or  useful 
form  of  the  tooth  may  be  approximately  restored  by  means  of  one  of 
the  many  forms  of  dowelled  porcelain  crowns,  specially  constructed 
gold  and  porcelain  crowns,  or  all-gold,  hollow-metal  crowns,  or  a 


410 


DENTAL  CARIES 


Fig.  369 


broad  band  may  be  adjusted  and  filled  in  with  amalgam  after  setting 
with  cement. 

If  an  anterior  root  be  so  hollowed  out  by  caries  as  to  be  incapable 
of  supporting  a  dowelled  crown,  with  or  without  a  cast  base,  it  may 
be  extracted,  and  the  operation  of  transplantation  performed,  or, 
later,  an  implantation  may  be  made. 

In  the  former  operation  the  existing  alveolus  is  enlarged  if  necessary 
to  accommodate  a  tooth;  in  the  latter  operation  a  new  alveolus  is 
created  by  means  of  appropriate  trephines  and  reamers.  The  tooth 
is  to  be  prepared  as  for  replantation  (which  see).^ 

If  teeth  have  been  lost  by  extraction,  the  spaces  created  may  be 
filled  by  means  of  bridge-work  or  plates  of  various  sorts. 

By  common  consent  crown  and  bridge-work  are  considered  a 
special  department  of  dentistry. 

Therapeutics  of  Loss  of  Root  by  Caries. — This  occurs  in  several  ways : 

1.  After  loss  of  the  crown  and  the  extension  of  the  carious  process 

into  the  interior  of  the  root.    In  the  later  stages  this  root  is  rendered 

valueless  for  crowning  purposes,  and  should 
be  extracted.  In  some  cases  a  transplan- 
tation operation  would  be  warrantable,  as 
in  case  of  a  single  incisor,  the  other  teeth 
being  relatively  sound. 

2.  If  an   artificial    crown    has  been  so 
placed  as  to  expose  the  joint  to  caries,  the 
process  may  proceed  to  a  considerable  ex- 
tent, but  does  not  necessarily  involve  the 
root    interior,    owing  to    the    presence  of 
the  pin.      Filling  with  amalgam  or  other 
plastic,    or    the    recrowning  is    demanded 
if    feasible.     The  gum    having  grown    in, 
much  packing  out  may  be  required;  abla- 
tion may  be  required  as  well. 
3.  In  some  cases  penetrating  cervical  caries  will  cause  a  partial  or 
complete  amputation  of  a  lingual  or  buccal  root  of  an  upper  molar, 
or,  possibly,  a  bicuspid.     The  pulp,  of  course,  will  have  died,  at 
least  at  the  carious  area. 

The  cavity  of  decay  should  be  cleansed  and  undercut,  and  an 
occlusal  tap  made  for  free  entrance  to  the  canals.  The  canals  are  to 
be  reamed  with  Downie  broaches.  The  canal  of  the  decayed  root 
is  to  be  enlarged  with  Kerr  root  reamers,  after  which  everything  is 
to  be  dried;  a  canal  probe,  or  the  largest  reamer  used,  which  may  have 


Method  of  restoring  lost  canal 
continuity.  The  cavity  should 
have  more  retention  form  than 
shown,  a 


'  For  methods  of  implantation,  see  American  Text-book  of  Operative  Dentistry. 


CARIES  OF  THE   TEMPORARY  TEETH  411 

wax  in  the  spaces  between  the  blades,  is  passed  through  the  tap  across 
the  cavity  into  the  farther  portion  of  the  root  canal.  Good  amalgam 
is  to  be  thoroughly  })acked  into  the  cervical  cavity  and  hardened  by 
wafering.  When  nearly  set,  the  filling  is  supported  against  dislodge- 
ment  and  the  canal  probe  is  carefully  withdrawn.  After  appropriate 
sterilization  of  canals  with  formalin  solutions,  and  the  filling  of  canal 
apices,  an  iridioplatinum  pin  is  to  be  cemented  into  the  involved 
canal  and  crown  tap,  thus  strengthening  the  root  against  a 
threatened  fracture. 

If  actually  separated  by  decay,  excavation  will  make  an  open  joint, 
which  should  be  filled  with  amalgam  after  the  pin  has  been  run 
through  the  tap  into  the  root.  If  this  operation  does  not  seem 
feasible,  it  is  better  to  extract  the  separate  root  portion  and  trim  the 
stump,  as  in  ordinary  root  amputation. 

While  the  retention  of  an  amputated  root  is  seldom  demanded,  the 
editor  has  several  in  satisfactory  use.  The  prevention  of  a  threatened 
fracture  is  more  often  demanded.    (See  also  Heteroplasty.) 

CARIES  OF  THE  TEMPORARY  TEETH 

Caries  of  the  temporary  teeth  dift'ers  but  little  from  that  of  the 
permanent  teeth.  The  pulp  cavities  are,  how^ever,  relatively  larger, 
and  the  intensity  of  the  carious  process  often  causes  rapid  exposure  ■ 
of  the  pulp.  Owing  to  the  flat  character  of  the  approximations  of 
the  teeth,  there  is  often  more  approximal  than  occlusal  caries,  and 
the  cavities  often  have  weak  peripheries. 

Children  have  a  fear  of  dental  offices,  excited  by  unpleasant  experi- 
ences or  the  talk  of  their  elders,  and  they  do  not  mention  slight  pain 
such  as  that  excited  by  hypersensitive  dentin.  There  is,  however, 
abundant  evidence  that  the  dentin  of  the  temporary  teeth  may  be 
hypersensitive.  In  cavities  of  simple  nature  the  fillings  indicated 
for  adults  serve  if  the  operations  are  well  borne. 

The  shapes  of  the  teeth,  the  restlessness  and  fear  of  the  little 
patients,  and  the  free  flow  of  saliva  indicate,  for  the  most  part,  the 
use  of  plastic  fillings,  though  the  rubber  dam  may  often  be  readil}' 
used.  In  deep  cavities  not  exposing  the  pulps,  the  methods  employed 
for  adults,  of  varnishing  or  insulating  with  gutta-percha  and  the 
subsequent  use  of  zinc  phosphate  as  a  lining  under  metal  fillings,  are 
indicated.  (See  p.  401.)  Certain  occlusal  cavities  having  small 
orifices  and  large  interiors  are  well,  and  often  permanently,  filled 
with  pink  gutta-percha.  Zinc  oxid  and  eugenol  made  into  a  stiff 
paste  often  fills  cavities  acceptably,  and  lasts  as  well  as  oxj'phos- 
phate  unless  it  is  too  freely  masticated  upon. 


412  DENTAL  CARIES 

If  cavities  are  observed  before  pain  has  been  complained  of,  and 
prompt  and  quickly  subsiding  response  to  applications  of  cold  water 
is  obtained,  indicating  a  normal  pulp,  the  cavity  should  be  excavated, 
with  more  regard  to  removing  the  marginal  caries  than  to  thorough 
excavation,  dried,  and  an  application  of  a  20  per  cent,  solution  of 
silver  nitrate  made  for  a  few  minutes,  the  cavity  being  subsequently 
filled. 

In  cases  of  adjoining  approximal  cavities  there  is  a  disposition  for 
the  affected  teeth  to  press  together  and  lessen  the  size  of  the  dental 
arch.  Bonwill  advised  as  a  practice,  followed  by  uniformly  good 
results  in  such  cases,  to  cleanse  the  cavities  (Fig.  370)  and  insert 
masses  of  pink  gutta-percha  base-plate.  The  constant  biting  upon 
the  gutta-percha  causes  a  separation  of  the  teeth,  which  increases 
the  size  of  the  arch  and  affords  ^additional  space  for  permanent 
successors.  Hollingsworth  introduced  the  idea  of  placing  a  small 
piece  or  cap  of  metal  at  the  cervix,  bridging  the  interdental  space. 
A  bit  of  gutta-percha  is  to  be  placed  on  the 
Fig  370  Under  side  of  the  cap  to  make  a  gutta-percha 

adaptation;  then  more  is  built  over  it.  Bon- 
will advised  that  before  the  gutta-percha 
masses  are  inserted  small  pieces  of  blotting 
paper  saturated  with  carbolic  acid  be  laid 
against  the  dentinal  walls  and  the  gutta-percha 
be  packed  over  them.    The  more  efficient  and 

Mode  of  preparing  appro X-  .  .  .         .,  .  , 

imai  cavities.  pcrsistcut  autiscptic  silvcr  nitrate  may  be  ap- 

plied instead  of  the  carbolic  acid.  Kirk  advises 
that  asbestos  felt  be  heated  to  destroy  any  organic  matter  present 
in  it  which  might  combine  with  the  silver,  and  then  be  soaked  in  a 
saturated  solution  of  silver  nitrate,  dried;^  and  kept  in  dark  bottles 
away  from  the  light.  Small  pieces  of  the  prepared  felt  may  be  used 
as  described.  With  cavities  as  good  as  shown  in  the  illustration, 
wedging  and  contouring  each  tooth  with  amalgam,  after  the  use 
of  silver  nitrate  and  varnish,  is  quite  admissible  after  making  suitable 
retention.  There  is  no  reason  why  occlusal  extension  for  retention 
should  not  be  made.  The  conditions  will  determine  the  choice  of 
materials. 

The  silver-nitrate  method  is  particularly  applicable  to  shallow 
cavities  in  which  excavation  for  filling  is  impracticable.  The  dentin 
surface  is  cleansed  and  dried,  and  the  fused  silver  nitrate  is  rubbed 
upon  the  surface.  This  may  be  done  after  the  method  of  Craven: 
a  platinum  wire  is  dipped  into  the  powdered  salt  and  held  over  a 
flame  until  the  powder  fuses  into  a  button.  By  this  means  applica- 
tion can  be  directly  and  accurately  made.    The  arch  is  apt  to  become 


CARIES  OF  THE   TEMPORARY  TEETH  413 

somewhat  contracted,  and  food  is  liable  to  wedge  between  the  teeth. 
Combination  fillings  of  zinc  phosphate  or  oxyphosphate  of  copper 
and  amalgam  are  of  advantage  in  case  of  frail  walls. 

For  the  anterior  teeth  silicate,  zinc  phosphate,  and  gutta-percha 
fillings  are  useful,  and  for  the  posterior  ones  Ames'  oxyphosphate 
of  copper  serves  a  good  purpose. 

Caries  is  very  liable  to  occur  upon  the  approximal  surfaces  of  the 
second  temporary  and  first  permanent  molar.  If  the  former  be 
found  largely  decayed  distally,  the  latter  will  usually  be  found  decayed 
on  the  mesial  surface.  Amalgam  in  cavities  well  extended  buccally 
and  lingually,  or  gutta-percha,  serves  well  until  the  second  temporary 
molar  is  lost,  when  a  good  gold  filling  may  often  be  introduced 
before  the  second  bicuspid  erupts. 


Fig.  371 


Right  upper  temporary  molar  disked  lingually  and  filled. 

Well-contoured  fillings  must  be  inserted  in  such  a  case.  As  a 
preventive  measure  during  eruption  of  the  first  molar,  the  second 
temporary  molar  may  be  disked  to  the  form  shown  in  Fig.  371. 

If  incipient  or  simple  decay  have  occurred  on  the  two  teeth,  or 
even  the  second  molar  alone,  it  is  then  best  to  wedge  the  teeth  apart 
and  to  make  a  disk  separation  (on  the  temporary  tooth  only)  from 
the  lingual  or  buccal  side,  or  both,  and  to  contour  the  filling  even  in 
exaggeration,  so  that  a  minimum  of  contact  shall  exist.     Any  sur- 


414  bENTAL  CARIES 

face  of  dentin  exposed  by  the  disking  should  be  included  in  the  cavity, 
or,  if  this  be  not  possible,  then  it  should  be  rubbed  with  silver  nitrate. 

Such  surfaces  should  be  carefully  observed  at  regular  intervals; 
indeed,  if  prophylaxis  can  be  regularly  instituted  early  and  before 
caries  of  the  first  permanent  molar,  much  good  will  be  done. 

The  pulp  diseases  resulting  from  caries  of  the  temporary  teeth  will 
be  considered  with  those  of  the  permanent  teeth.  If  the  temporary 
teeth  be  so  badly  decayed  as  to  be  hopeless,  so  far  as  filling  is  con- 
cerned, they  should  be  extracted.  Occasionally  the  encircling  of  the 
teeth  with  pure  gold  bands  cemented  to  place  or  filled  in  with  amal- 
gam is  good  practice. 

In  the  main  the  temporary  teeth,  especially  the  molars,  should  be 
filled  with  some  view  to  the  longevity  of  the  fillings,  as  they  often 
have  to  do  service  for  years,  and  the  general  health  of  the  mouth  is 
improved. 

The  child  should  always  be  treated  with  kindness  and  truthfulness 
to  establish  faith,  yet  with  sufficient  firmness  to  command  control. 

Under  no  circumstances  should  the  child  be  given  an  excessive 
dread  of  dental  operations,  or  be  broken  by  nervous  shock,  as  this 
attitude  defeats  the  object  sought. 


RECURRENCE  OF  CARIES 

Passing  over,  as  disproved  by  Miller,  the  theory  of  Palmer,  that 
caries  recurs  about  fillings  as  the  result  of  electric  action,  it  may  be 
stated,  as  proved  by  scientific  and  clinical  experience,  that  it  recurs 
because  after  teeth  have  been  filled  conditions  exist  which  may  favor 
the  collection  of  microbic  plaques  and  stagnant  food  material  even 
more  strongly  than  the  original  conditions,  and  that  when  recurrence 
has  been  prevented  the  work  has  been  done  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
prevent  such  collections. 

The  specific  defects  which  favor  the  formation  of  bacterial  plaques 
may  be  epitomized  as  follows: 

1.  Lack  of  approximal  contact  (food  wedging  between  teeth). 

2.  Roughness  of  the  filling  at  an  otherwise  good  approximal  con- 
tact point  which  menaces  the  approximating  tooth  or  the  margin  of 
the  cavity  by  causing  food  retention  and  the  spreading  of  microbic 
plaques. 

3.  Unremoved  excess  of  filling  material  at  margins  producing  a 
ledge  which  collects  food,  etc.  The  edge  of  a  crown  may  act  in  a 
similar  manner.  An  excess  well  beneath  the  gum  is  more  apt  to 
produce  gingivitis  than  caries. 


PROPHYLAXIS  OF  CARIES  415 

4.  Exposure  of  the  cavity  margin  due  to  lack  of  covering  hy  the 
fining  material,  whether  not  properly  placed,  flaked  away,  or  flue  to 
fracture  of  margin  during  the  filling  process  or  subsequently  thereto. 

5.  Exposure  of  the  cavity  margin  due  to  shrinkage  or  shifting  of 
the  filling  material.  The  use  of  material  not  enduring  mastication 
in  places  subject  to  it;  the  washing  out  of  cement  from  the  joint 
of  an  inlay  or  combination  filling  or  dowelled  bandless  crown  has 
much  the  same  effect,  though  often  much  delayed. 

6.  Solubility  of  the  filling  material,  permitting  the  cavity  wall  to 
become  exposed. 

7.  Roughness  of  tooth  surface,  produced  by  polishing  fillings  with 
rough  approximal  trimmers,  coarse  grit  strips,  disks,  or  wheels. 
Exposure  of  dentin  by  overpolishing  may  be  classed  with  the  above. 

8.  Lack  of  hygiene  of  surfaces  which  tend  to  decay,  partly  due 
to  lack  of  extension  of  cavity  margins.  Even  poor  margins,  if  well 
extended,  may  not  decay,  whereas  existing  at  or  near  contacts  they 
are  menaces.  Lack  of  extension  of  approximal  cavities  often  causes 
failure  through  failure  to  include  all  carious  enamel.  Lack  of  exten- 
sion of  a  filling  into  a  fissure  adjoining  it,  which  fissure  may  be 
decayed  or  invite  subsequent  decay. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  recurrent  caries  does  not  differ 
materially  from  that  of  primary  caries. 

Repairs  to  obliterate  crevices,  breaks,  or  new  decays  may  at  times 
be  made;  but  so  often  is  it  the  case  that  apparently  slight  recurrences 
are  found  after  removal  of  the  filling  to  involve  the  entire  cavity  wall, 
that  the  only  sound  recommendation  applicable  to  all  cases  is  that 
the  filling  be  removed  and  the  cavity  reprepared  and  refilled.  The 
exception  exists  when,  after  the  new  cavity  of  decay  is  all  excavated, 
the  adaptation  of  the  filling  is  seen  to  be  perfect.  Decay  at  two  or 
more  points  of  recurrence  not  subject  to  accurate  repair  or  general 
inferiority  of  the  filling  should  condemn  the  entire  piece  of  work. 

PROPHYLAXIS  OF  CARIES 

If  the  factors  of  caries  be  removed  from  the  mouth,  caries  cannot 
occur.  That  a  clean  tooth  will  not  decay  is  a  dictum  many  years 
established.  The  microbic  plaques  and  fermentable  food  substances 
acting  as  the  causes  of  caries  should,  therefore,  be  kept  from  collecting 
upon  the  teeth.  The  longer  they  remain  the  further  they  may  spread 
laterally  over  the  tooth  surface. 

In  the  absence  of  absolutely  exact  knowledge  of  the  relation  of 
general  systemic  conditions  to  the  production  of  microbic  plaques,  it 
may  be  said  that  the  general  health  should,  if  possible,  be  maintained 


416  DENTAL  CARIES 

by  the  correction  of  any  morbid  body  state,  as,  without  doubt,  perfect 
good  health  is  a  corrective  of  morbid  oral  secretions.    (See  p.  336,  etc.) 

Apart  from  this,  oral  cleanliness  is  of  great  importance,  not  only 
for  the  health  of  the  teeth,  but  of  the  gums,  and,  indirectly,  of  the 
stomach  and  intestines,  which  can  but  be  affected  by  unhealthy  oral 
conditions.  Thus  while  the  general  health  may  influence  the  mouth, 
the  mouth  may  influence  the  general  health. 

It  has  been  noted  that  caries  is  markedly  lessened  in  well-kept 
dentures. 

The  first  step  in  the  prevention  of  caries  is  the  removal  of  all 
possible  causes  of  bacterial  plaque  formation.  Cavities  should  be 
obliterated  by  means  of  exactly  adapted,  perfectly  contoured,  highly 
polished,  insoluble  (in  so  far  as  utilizable)  fillings,  the  margins  of 
which  are  extended  into  areas  subjected  to  friction  by  ordinary 
forces,  such  as  food  excursions,  brushing,  etc.  Departures  from  this 
principle  are  to  be  made  for  well-judged  reasons  only. 

Black  kept  a  record  of  caries  of  the  enamel  over-riding  the  angle 
frqm  the  approximal  surface  to  the  buccal  or  lingual,  and  found  that 
it  occurred  only  in  about  one  case  in  a  thousand  persons.  He  had 
previously  concluded  that  these  angles  were  areas  of  relative  immu- 
nity, kept  so  by  food  and  brush  excursions,  and  that  if  possible  the 
cavity  should  be  extended  to  and  not  beyond  the  angle. 

Hoffheinz  claims  that  it  is  not  so  much  a  question  of  extension, 
but  of  contouring  to  prevent  the  contact  of  margins. 

By  these  means  centres  of  infection  are  "removed,  and  the  problem 
is  reduced  to  the  care  of  the  superficies  of  the  teeth.  Calculus  should 
be  thoroughly  removed,  the  teeth  highly  polished  and  kept  polished. 
This  operation  mechanically  removes  the  plaques. 

To  prevent  their  return,  daily  cleansing  of  the  teeth  by  the  patient 
has  always  been  practised,  and  a  thorough  cleansing  once  a  month 
or  of  toner  by  the  operator  has  been  shown  by  D.  D.  Smith  to  be 
highly  efficacious.  The  patient  should  be  instructed  regarding  the 
location  of  the  plaques  producing  dental  disease.  A  good  method  is 
to  apply  tincture  of  iodin  to  the  teeth,  then  douche  them  with  water, 
which  removes  the  iodin  from  the  clean  part.  The  teeth  will  gener- 
ally then  look  like  Fig.  305,  which,  while  a  figure  of  decay,  will  take 
the  place  of  a  special  illustration.  While  thus  stained  the  effectiveness 
of  floss,  etc.,  can  be  readily  demonstrated. 

DAILY  CLEANSING  OF  THE  TEETH 

A  well-made,  stiff  brush,  having  a  lengthened  tuft  of  bristles 
at  its  tip  and  its  brushing  surface  serrated,  is  to  be  moistened  and 


DAILY  CLEANSING  OF   THE   TEETH  417 

well  charged  with  a  good  antiseptic  tooth-powder  or  paste  without 
coarse  grit.  It  is  to  be  grasped  in  the  palm  of  the  hand  with  the  ball 
of  the  thumb  placed  upon  the  back  of  the  handle,  or  exactly  the 
reverse,  according  to  the  movement  desired.  The  bristles  are  to 
be  passed  over  the  buccal  and  lingual  surfaces  of  the  teeth,  from  the 
gum  toward  the  occlusal  surfaces,  by  means  of  a  dexterous,  wiping 
motion  imparted  by  a  turn  of  the  wrist.  This  cleanses  the  inter- 
proximal spaces  so  far  as  accessible  to  the  brush.  By  a  light  to-and- 
fro  motion,  spreading  the  bristles  over  the  cervices,  the  lingual  and 
buccal  cervices  are  freed  of  soft  deposits  which  occur  after  each  meal. 
Unless  the  gums  be  actually  torn,  this  light  friction  is  not  injurious. 
Special  attention  is  to  be  paid  to  the  buccal  surfaces  of  third  molars, 
which  are  often  ignored  even  by  conscientious  patients.  This  is  due 
to  a  habit  of  giving  a  downward  sweep  of  the  brush-tip,  which  escapes 
the  rather  upwardly  placed  third  molar. 

The  lingual  surfaces  of  incisors  are  cleansed  by  means  of  the  stiff 
tip  of  the  brush.  In  cases  of  advanced  recession  of  the  gum  about 
incisors,  a  brush  with  all  the  bristles  except  those  of  the  tip  cut  away 
(and  the  stubble  ground  down)  is  advantageous.  This  is  also  useful 
for  the  lingual  surfaces  of  bridge-work.  Occlusal  surfaces  are  to  be 
freely  brushed. 

A  light  brushing  after  each  meal  imparts  to  the  mouth  a  pleasing 
sense  of  cleanliness,  which  has  a  good  moral  effect  upon  the  patient, 
and  removes  from  about  the  teeth  much  fermentable  material. 

The  teeth  should  be  thoroughly  brushed  upon  retiring  with  a  tooth- 
powder  containing  castile  soap  and  free  from  coarse  grit,  as  pumice 
or  coarse  chalk,  to  remove  any  debris  about  the  teeth,  and  the  anti- 
septic and  antacid  treatment  to  be  mentioned  employed.  Salol 
should  be  omitted,  because  of  its  tendency  to  produce  labial  eczema; 
while  aromatically  agreeable,  it  has  little  antiseptic  value.  A  small 
rubber  band  should  be  stretched  between  the  teeth,  the  inner  end 
released,  and  then  drawn  through  the  interdental  space,  wiping  the 
approximal  surfaces  and  embrasures.  This  places  the  mouth  in  a 
fairly  aseptic  state  for  the  night,  during  which  the  oral  fluids  are  at 
rest  and  less  interfere  with  fermentation  or  neutralize  its  products. 

Before  breakfast  the  mouth  should  again  be  treated  with  the  brush 
and  antiseptic  to  remove  the  bacteria  developed  during  the  night. 

Once  a  week  the  patient  should  rub  the  powder  over  the  inter- 
proximal spaces,  and  carry  floss  silk  between  the  teeth  and  rub  the 
approximal  surfaces,  with  the  object  of  removing  any  bacterial 
collection  upon  these  surfaces. 

The  floss  silk  should  not  be  forced  into  the  gum,  as  this  will  injure 
the  gum  margins  and  force  infected  material  into  it,  but  should  be 
27 


418  DENTAL  CARIES 

first  carried  gently  beneath  the  gum,  wrapped  half  around  the  tooth, 
and  then  sawed  up  over  the  contacts  and  be  brought  out  from 
between  the  teeth.  It  should  be  reintroduced  at  the  same  interspace 
and  the  adjoining  tooth  polished. 

After  cleansing  the  teeth  at  night  an  antiseptic  should  be  held  in  the 
mouth  for  the  space  of  two  minutes,  for  the  purpose  of  devitalizing 
bacteria  present.  For  this  purpose  phenol  sodique  in  12.5  per  cent, 
solution  in  water  (1  to  7)  is  as  valuable  as  any  agent,  though  many 
harmless  and  effective  preparations  are  sold  for  this  purpose. 

In  a  mouth  specially  prone  to  caries  of  the  teeth,  it  is  well  to  use, 
once  or  twice  a  week,  a  disguised  mercuric  chlorid  wash,  1  to  2000, 
for  the  space  of  two  minutes.  The  object  is  to  thoroughly  devitalize 
oral  organisms  and  promote  the  action  of  the  milder  and  more  agree- 
able antiseptics. 

The  following  is  a  useful  formula  i^     • 

3 — Mercuric  chlorid gr.  vj 

Thymol .      .  gr.  ij 

Menthol gr.  v 

Oil  eucalyptus gtt.  x 

Glycerin fgij 

Alcohol  • fSiJ 

Aquse  gaultherise ad  Oij — M. 

S. — Use  as  directed  as  mouth  wash. 

Finally,  after  the  above  treatment,  Phillips'  milk  of  magnesia 
(magnesium  hydrate  in  suspension)  should  be  taken  in  concentrated 
form  into  the  mouth,  rinsed  about,  and  drawn  by  suction  between 
the  teeth.  The  excess  is  to  be  expectorated  and  the  residue  left  in  the 
mouth.  It  is  alkaline,  slightly  astringent,  and  is  credited  with  some 
antiseptic  property.  These  processes  do  not  consume  much  time  if 
the  patient  be  systematic.  The  brush  itself  should  be  sterilized  after 
using.  A  good  glass  brush  holder  is  sold  which  has  a  small  portion 
of  paraform  placed  in  the  lower  part,  and  is  capped  with  a  metal 
screw  cap.    In  this  the  brush  may  remain  until  again  needed. 

Dr.  Percy  R.  Howe  calls  attention  to  the  valuable  attributes  of  a 
1  per  cent,  solution  of  sodium  sulphate,  followed  by  a  1  per  cent, 
solution  of  sodium  bicarbonate,  in  the  dissipation  of  coagula  and 
mucinous  collections  in  the  mouth,  rendering  the  saliva  clear  and 
limpid.^  Lime-water  also  removes  this  viscidity,  and  dissolves 
mucinous  plaques.  Lime-water  has  also  been  shown  to  possess  the 
property  of  dissolving  bacteria  plaques. 

The  periodical  cleansing  or  prophylaxis  suggested  by  D,  D.  Smith 
involves  the  monthly  rubbing  down  of  all  surfaces  accessible  to  a 

1  C.  R.  Jackson:   Dental  Summary,  1904.  2  Dental  Cosmos,  1905. 


DAILY  CLEANSING  OF  THE   TEETH  419 

wedge-.shaped  wooden  i)olishing  point  directed  by  a  hand  carrier. 
Powdered  pumice  is  the  abrasive  suggested.  The  point  is  to  be  gently 
insiiniated  beneath  the  free  gum  margin  for  the  purpose  of  effecting 
a  cleanliness  there,  which  shall  prevent  collections  liable  to  produce 
pyorrhea  alveolaris. 

This  method  may  be  supplemented  by  a  careful  rubbing  down  of 
contact  points  and  embrasures  by  means  of  floss  silk  charged  with 
powdered  pumice  as  an  additional  precaution  against  approximal 
caries. 

The  slight  cleansing  apparently  required  after  a  few  ^•isits  is  a 
strong  argument  in  favor  of  these  prophylactic  cleansings.  In  case 
of  fairly  cleanly  mouths  free  of  other  disease  than  caries  the  patient 
ma\'  be  instructed  in  the  use  of  a  wood  point  held  in  a  simple  porte- 
polisher,  such  as  a  tube  of  thin  nickelled  brass  bent  at  one  end  to  an 
angle  of  45  degrees,  and  the  prophylaxis  by  the  operator  executed 
three  or  four  times  a  year  only.  This  wood  point  is  useful  in  cleansing 
the  lingual  surfaces  of  bridge-work,  and  if  floss  silk  can  be  passed 
through  a  space  in  a  bridge,  as  for  example  by  using  shoemaker's 
wax  on  the  end  of  the  floss  to  give  it  stiffness,  the  floss  will  cleanse 
many  parts  of  the  bridge,  if  it  be  a  fixed  piece. 

Periodical  examinations  should  be  made  at  short  intervals,  pref- 
erably at  the  time  of  cleansing,  for  cavities  of  decay,  roughness  of 
filling  margins,  or  accidents  to  the  same.  By  these  means  the  soil, 
may  be  rendered  unsuitable  to  the  growth  of  caries  fungi,  and  their 
localization  at  the  contacts  and  other  favoring  spots  is  largely  pre- 
vented. 

Silver  nitrate,  40  per  cent,  to  saturated  solution,  may  be  applied  to 
surfaces  likely  to  decay,  as  sulci,  contact  points,  etc.,  as  a  means  of 
prevention  in  mouths  subject  to  same.^  As  a  systemic  prophylactic 
the  diet  may  be  modified  and  potassium  sulphocyanate  may  be  used. 
(See  p.  UO.) 

Some  dentists  pursue  the  policy  of  filling  only  the  larger  cavities 
existing  in  a  mouth,  the  others  being  neglected  until  a  subsequent 
period.  Such  a  method  is  to  be  condemned  as  being  a  neglect  of  a 
plain  duty  and  as  tending  to  the  propagation  of  caries  in  the  mouth. 
The  presence  of  cavities,  calculus,  and  pyorrhea  alveolaris  in  the 
mouth  all  tend  to  cause  infection  of  the  digestive  tract,  with  produc- 
tion of  inflammatory  (catarrhal)  disturbance,  and  to  cause  infection 
of  parts  in  close  association  with  the  teeth  as  well. 

Undoubted  cases  of  septic  intoxication  and  infection  from  decayed 
teeth  and  other  oral  conditions  have  been  reported,  the  connection 

'  L.  C.  Bryan  and  others. 


420  DENTAL  CARIES 

having  been  shown  by  their  cure  after  removal  of  the  local  cause 
alone;  in  other  cases  the  parts  (as  the  stomach)  having  the  second- 
ary infection  well  implanted,  have  required  special  treatment  in 
addition  to  the  removal  of  the  primary  exciting  cause. ^  (See  Systemic 
Effects  of  Pyorrhea  Alveolaris.) 

The  evils  attendant  upon  sepsis  are  to  be  pointed  out  to  patients 
who  have  often  a  seeming  indifference  to  conditions  ranging  from 
simple  uncleanliness  to  loathsome  filth  within  the  mouth,  which 
would  alarm  them  if  existing  in  any  other  part  of  the  body.  Aside 
from  all  considerations  of  health  or  tooth  integrity,  it  is  poor  economy, 
and  especially  for  poor  people,  to  neglect  these  measures  which  are 
largely  applicable.  The  prophylaxis  of  the  teeth  apart  from  periodical 
cleansings  is  a  matter  for  careful  instruction  and  exhortation  of 
patients  who  are  apt  to  be  persistent  backsliders. 


PROPHYLAXIS  IN  SYSTEMIC  DISEASE 

During  a  prolonged  illness,  seasickness,  pregnancy,  etc.,  the  pro- 
phylaxis of  the  teeth  should  be  as  rigidly  enforced  as  possible  as  a 
means  of  preventing  decay  of  the  teeth  and  sepsis  of  the  mouth. 

It  has  been  shown  that  during  pregnancy  osteomalacia  may  occur, 
and  that  it  represents  a  demineralization  by  decalcification  of  the 
bones  of  the  mother.  Whether  or  not  this  may  influence  caries  of 
enamel  is  not  certain,  though  acid  secretions  occur  from  the  gum 
margins,  but  there  is  no  reason  why  the  resistance  of  the  fibrils  of 
the  dentin  should  not  be  lessened,  or  even  that  the  dentin  may  not 
be  to  an  extent  demineralized,  as  positively  claimed  by  some  accurate 
observers  (Black  to  the  contrary).  An  excessive  osteomalacia  may 
be  held  to  represent  a  deficiency  of  osteogenetic  nutritive  material 
for  the  child.  This  would  lead  to  an  inferior  development  of  the 
child's  temporary  teeth. 

Any  abnormal  condition  of  the  mother  should  be  corrected,  if 
possible,  in  order  that  her  general  nutrition  and  that  of  the  child 
may  not  suffer. 

Probably  upon  the  congenital  constitution  of  the  child  depends 
much  of  its  future  susceptibility  or  immunity  to  caries. 

Accepting  the  decalcification  theory  of  osteomalacia,  the  use  by 
the  nursing  or  gravid  mother  of  mild  alkalies  internally,  such  as  a 
tablespoonful  of  lime  water  repeated,  and  the  use  of  lime-containing 

1  Hunter;  International  Dental  Journal,  1S99,  abstract  from  Transactions  of  Odontological 
Society  of  Great  Britain. 


PROPHYLAXIS  IN  SYSTEMIC  DISEASE  421 

foods,  as  the  cereals,  and  mineral  waters  as  beverages,  cannot  hut  he 
of  values  as  antacids  furnishing  a  neutralizing  agent  for  the  acid, 
while  the  lime  probably  enters  into  the  development  of  bone  (Hare), 
and,  therefore,  would  be  useful  in  supplying,  via  the  placenta, 
mother's  milk,  and  later  the  child's  food,  the  element  needed  for  the 
development  of  teeth.  The  use  of  glycerophosphate  of  lime  and  soda 
has  been  suggested. 

The  teeth  should  receive  all  needful  care  during  pregnancy,  that  the 
mother  should  not  suffer  pain,  but  work  should  be  of  a  temporary 
nature,  if  necessary,  to  avoid  shock,  especially  at  about  the  third 
month  of  gestation.  Attention  has  been  called  to  the  fact  that 
during  menstruation  a  systemic  hyperacidity  exists,  which  can  be 
combated  by  the  use  of  lime  internally  and  milk  of  magnesia  or 
lime  water  locally. 


SECTION   IV 

DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 
CHAPTER    XV 

CONSTRUCTIVE   DISEASES 

Diseases  of  the  dental  pulp  are  both  acute  and  chronic.  Accord- 
ing to  the  anatomical  features,  they  may  also  be  divided  into  con- 
structive and  destructive.  The  acute  diseases  are  usually  destruc- 
tive; in  the  chronic,  structural  and  constructive  changes  are  com- 
monly noted.  Constructive  diseases  of  the  dental  pulp  are  those 
attended  by  the  formation  of  deposits  of  new  masses  of  calcific 
substance.  Destructive  diseases  are  those  which  cause  retrogressive 
and  necrotic  changes  in  the  tissues  of  the  pulp.  The  essential  differ- 
ence between  the  two  classes  of  disease  is  in  the  mode  and  character 
of  the  degeneration — the  one  is  acute,  the  other  chronic. 

Pathologically  there  is  no  abrupt  line  of  demarcation  between 
diseases  of  the  dentin  and  those  of  the  pulp,  as  the  dentinal  tubules 
contain  the  fibrillar  prolongations  of  the  odontoblasts  of  the  pulp. 
Effects  produced  upon  the  fibrils  cause,  therefore,  a  pulp  reaction 
which  may  lead  either  to  a  construction  or  destructive  activity 
according  to  the  grade  of  hyperemia  or  inflammation  set  up. 

As  infection  may  travel  via  the  tubules  even  septic  inflammation 
may  result  before  the  pulp  is  exposed. 

Moreover,  after  constructive  changes  which  are  accompanied  by 
more  or  less  atrophy  and  degeneration,  the  pulp  may  undergo  the  more 
acute  destructive  changes.  While  the  exact  relations  between  symp- 
toms and  pathology  are  not  all  worked  out  and  the  symptoms  are 
aften  obscure,  due  to  the  fact  that  the  pulp  is  without  the  sense  of 
touch  or  exact  location,  and,  therefore,  the  pains  induced  are  reflected, 
as  a  rule,  yet  clinical  observation  and  the  a:-rays  have  done  much  to 
relate  the  symptoms  and  pathology,  and  one  must  depend  upon 
these  and  applied  tests  for  at  least  a  tentative  diagnosis,  of  which 
confirmation  may  be  sought. 


424       CONSTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF   THE  DENTAL  PULP 

The  pathological  conditions  of  the  pulp  are  judged  by  the  phenom- 
ena induced  by  applications  of  air  or  water  of  varying  temperatures, 
and  by  the  presence  of  certain  appearances  of  the  tooth,  which,  taken 
with  the  symptoms  and  tests,  lead  to  a  fair  inference  of  the  disease 
present. 

It  was  pointed  out  by  Black^  that  if  a  healthy  tooth  be  isolated  by 
a  double  layer  of  rubber  dam,  and  a  jet  of  water  at  a  temperature  of 
40°  F.  be  directed  against  the  tooth,  a  paroxysm  of  pain  is  produced. 
A  jet  of  hot  water  will  also  induce  a  similar  pain,  and  if  the  patient's 
eyes  be  shielded  no  difference  in  the  sensations  is  noted;  that  is, 
the  pulp  responds  to  thermal  stimuli,  hot  or  cold,  indifferently.  The 
organ  is  accustomed  to  variations  of  temperature  between  60°  and 
105°  to  110°  F.,  and  within  this  range,  in  a  condition  of  health, 
takes  no  apparent  cognizance  of  this  degree  of  change. 

With  a  decrease  in  the  amount  of  dentin  covering  the  pulp — e.  g., 
with  the  advance  of  caries — the  reaction  to  thermal  stimuli  increases 
in  promptness  until,  when  the  pulp  is  nearly  exposed,  the  response  is 
immediate.  As  the  pulp  irritation  increases  there  is  prompt  response 
to  lesser  degrees  of  temperature  change,  until  the  pulp  comes  to 
respond  immediately  to  water  at  a  temperature  of  85°  F.  or  there- 
about, and  slightly  over  the  bodily  temperature,  102°  F.  Later, 
another  feature  makes  its  appearance;  instead  of  a  sharp  contrac- 
tion pain,  applications  of  moderate  thermal  stimuli  are  followed  by 
a  heavy,  throbbing  pain.  Later,  similar  pains  occur  in  the  absence 
of  tangible  external  sources  of  irritation.  In  conditions  of  abscess 
intense  pain  is  later  caused  by  hot  applications,  and  cold  applications 
afford  relief. 

In  pulp  degeneration  the  response  to  thermal  stimuli  may  pursue 
the  opposite  course.  The  normally  prompt  response  is  followed  by 
delays  in  reaction,  until  it  is  only  after  the  continued  application  of 
cold  to  the  exterior  of  a  tooth  that  a  paroxysm  of  pain  is  induced. 
In  these  cases  there  follows  after  a  relatively  long  time  an  increasing 
response  to  heat,  as  in  the  former  instance,  the  reaction  occurring 
only  upon  decided  or  prolonged  heat  stimuli.  Following  upon  the 
period  of  increased  response  to  heat,  in  both  cases  there  comes  a 
period  of  quiescence,  in  which  there  is  no  response  whatever  to 
applications  of  intense  cold,  even  that  produced  by  the  evaporation 
of  a  spray  or  ethyl  or  methyl  chlorid — i.  e.,  the  sensory  function  of 
the  pulp  is  paralyzed. 

These  are  the  available  subjective  evidences  of  the  pathological 
condition  of  the  pulp;  while  they  indicate  with  a  degree  of  accuracy, 

1  American  System  of  Dentistry,  vol.  i. 


TUBULAR  CALCIFICATION  425 

useful  in  clinical  work,  the  alterations  in  the  pulj),  the  exact  relations 
between  the  reactions  and  the  morbid  anatomy  of  the  organ  are  not 
entirely  clear.  It  is  assumed  that,  in  consequence  of  the  loss  of  the 
normal  protective  covering  of  the  pulp,  its  sensory  and  perhaps 
vasomotor  nerve  fibers  become  stimulated,  overstimulated,  irritated, 
and  then  paralyzed  by  thermal  stimuli  in  the  progress  of  caries.  The 
bloodvessels,  which  retained  their  tonus  up  to  a  certain  point,  suffer 
vasomotor  irritation ;  next,  paralysis  leading  to  their  dilatation  and 
to  the  throbbing  pain.  Later,  even  change  of  posture  is  sufficient  to 
cause  distention  of  the  paralyzed  vessels,  hence  pain  in  resuming 
the  reclining  position.  Stimulation  by  cold,  until  the  later  stages, 
causes  a  sharp,  continuous  pain,  ascribed  to  the  paroxysmal  con- 
traction of  the  vessels.  In  the  stages  of  paralysis  heat  causes 
further  distention  of  the  vessels,  and,  if  gases  be  present,  causes 
their  expansion  with  pressure  upon  nerve  filaments. 

The  decreasing  and  delayed  response  to  thermal  stimuli  must  be 
referred  to  three  sources:  (1)  An  increase  in  the  non-conducting 
covering  of  the  pulp — i.  e.,  a  lessening  of  the  amount  of  the  fluid 
contents  of  the  dentinal  tubuli  and  a  thickening  of  the  dentinal  walls, 
which  necessarily  implies  a  recession  of  the  pulp  from  its  normal 
position;  (2)  to  degeneration  of  the  sensory  nerve  fibers  themselves; 
and  (3)  changes  in  the  walls  of  or  about  the  bloodvessels,  which  check 
vasomotor  response  and  changes  in  the  caliber  of  the  vessels.  These' 
three  classes  of  reactions  still  further  emphasize  the  division  of  the 
pulp  diseases  into  two  types,  the  acute  and  chronic;  the  first  class  of 
reaction  is  associated  with  the  acute  destructive  diseases ;  the  second, 
with  the  chronic  constructive  but  degenerative  conditions. 


CONSTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

The  constructive  diseases  of  the  dental  pulp  include  all  the  second- 
ary dentin  formations,  tubular  calcification,  the  formation  of  pulp 
nodules,  and  calcareous  degeneration  of  the  pulp. 

Tubular  Calcification. — Definition. — By  tubular  calcification,  or, 
to  express  the  condition  more  accurately,  tubular  dentinification,  is 
meant  the  change  that  occurs  in  the  dentin  which  leads  to  an  obliter- 
ation of  the  dentinal  tubuli  by  deposition  of  dentinal  material  along 
the  inside  of  the  walls  of  the  tubules,  with  a  corresponding  atrophy 
of  the  fibrils.     It  is  a  sclerosis  of  dentin  analogous  to  osteosclerosis. 

Causes  and  Occurrence. — The  apparent  cause  is  a  mild  degree  of 
irritation,  not  passing  the  stage  inducing  constructive  metamorphosis, 
and  apparently  caused  by  direct  irritation  of  the  fibrils,  more  par- 


426       CONSTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF   THE  DENTAL  PULP 

ticularly  through  the  action  of  thermal  shock,  brushing,  mastication, 
or  action  of  acids.  It  occurs  in  the  course  of  mechanical  abrasion 
and  erosion  of  the  teeth,  under  metallic  fillings,  and  probably  a 
modification  of  the  process  precedes  the  slow  invasion  of  dental 
caries.  It  begins  at  once  the  enamel  is  removed  from  the  dentin  at 
any  point,  and  the  dentin  subjected  to  irritation,  showing  it  to  be 
due  to  a  stimulation  of  the  whole  odontoblastic  cell  (including  its. 
fibrillar  prolongation).  It  occurs  in  some  degree  as  a  normal  vital 
change  due  to  age,  and  is  common  in  persons  who  are  victims  of  the 
gouty  or  rheumatic  diathesis. 

Pathology.— ^The  fibril  is  lessened  in  diameter  as  the  lumen  of  the 
tubule  becomes  smaller.  There  is  sometimes  an  increased,  but  more 
often  a  lessened,  sensitivity  of  the  dentin. 

Other  phases  of  the  condition  are  discussed  under  transparency  of 
the  dentin,  to  which  the  disease  corresponds.    (See  p.  360.) 

The  altered  dentin  becomes  translucent,  acquiring  a  horn-like 
appearance,  and,  usually,  secondary  dentin  formation  begins  coinci- 
dently  with  it.  Andrews  claims  that  granules  of  calcific  matter  are 
pushed  into  the  fibrillse  by  the  odontoblasts  and  deposited  along  the 
inner  wall  of  the  tubule,  even  to  obliteration  of  them.  These  gran- 
ules give  the  color  to  abraded  dentin  in  the  region  of  the  pulp  cavity. 

Tubular  calcification  is,  for  the  most  part,  to  be  regarded  in  the 
light  of  an  effect  due  to  a  physiological  process.  It  may  be  regarded  as 
a  physiological  barrier  erected  against  the  progress  of  caries,  erosion, 
or  abrasion,  threatening  the  invasion  of  the  pulp.  While  it  delays 
the  disintegration  of  the  tissue,  it  does  not  prevent  it.  In  the  cases 
due  to  age  or  the  irritants  produced  by  goutiness,  it  is  probably 
a  local  expression  of  a  general  sclerotic  change,  the  intercellular 
substance  (tubule  wall)  being  formed  at  the  expense  of  the  cellular 
(fibrilla).  In  senility  the  change  in  the  dentin  may  cause  the  teeth 
to  be  almost  transparent.    It  requires  no  treatment. 

Secondary  Dentin. — Definition. — By  secondary  dentin  is  meant  a 
deposit  of  dentin  upon  the  wall  of  the  pulp  chamber,  as  the  result 
of  pulp  stimulation  after  the  pulp  has  enjoyed  a  physiological  period 
of  rest  from  dentin  formation.    It  is  always  attached  to  the  dentin. 

Causes. — The  cause  of  formation  of  secondary  dentin  is  a  stimu- 
lation of  the  pulp  to  increased  functional  activity.  This  stimulus 
may  be  provided  by  any  constant  irritation  of  the  dentinal  fibrils, 
as,  for  example,  when  exposed  at  necks  of  teeth,  upon  abraded  or 
eroded  surfaces,  or  within  cavities  of  decay.  The  presence  of  metallic 
fillings,  conductive  of  thermal  changes,  may  provide  the  necessary 
stimulus.  Gold  crowns  upon  ground-down  crowns  of  vital  teeth  have 
,a  similar  effect.    The  slightly  irritative  effects  of  oxychlorid  of  zinc 


SECONDARY  DENTIN 


427 


often  produce  much  secondary  dentin.    It  is  associated  with  tubular 
calcification.     A  pulp  capping  may  provide  the  stimulus  and  new 


Fig.  372 


Secondary  dentin 
formed  after  exposure  of 
pulp  by  fracture  during 
extraction.     (Tomes.) 


Bicuspid  in  which  a 
formation  of  secondary 
dentin  has  failed  to  ob- 
viate perforation  of  the 
pulp  cavity  by  resorp- 
tion.    (Tomes.) 


Harding's  case  of  united  fracture.    The  uniting  material  is  of  coarse 
osseous  structure  with  numerous  lacunal  spaces.     (Tomes.) 


dentin  fill  the  orifice  of  exposure.     Absolute  fig.  375 

exposure  wdthout  treatment  has  been  recorded 
as  productive  of  secondary  dentin.  In  two 
cases  described  by  Charles  Tomes,  pulps 
widely  exposed  by  fracture  of  crowns  during 
extraction  covered  themselves  completely  in. 
The  histological  record,  as  seen  in  the  photo- 
micrograph, demonstrated  that  a  plastic  exu- 
date was  first  exuded,  which  later  calcified  as 
an  amorphous  mass. 

Next  an  irregular  lamina  was  formed,  and 
lastly,  dentin  containing  tubules.  It  is  to  be 
inferred  that  both  the  pulp  and  its  odonto- 
blasts may  take  part  in  the  process  (Fig.  372) . 

I  have  seen  one  case  in  which  a  wide  exposure  had  been  covered  in 
sufficiently  to  enable  me  to  gently  indent  the  covering,  which  was 


Elastic  layer  of  calcific 
material  formed  over  an 
exposed  pulp.  (From  a 
case.) 


428       CONSTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

convex,  with  a  ball  burnisher.  Upon  removal  of  the  instrument  it 
resumed  its  original  shape,  owing  to  its  elasticity.  The  periphery  of 
the  original  exposure  was  clearly  defined  (Fig.  375).  In  another  case 
of  known  exposure  with  bleeding  the  patient  kept  eugenol  on  cotton 
in  the  cavity.  After  several  weeks  the  exposure  could  not  be  again 
discovered.  Age  seems  to  be  a  cause  of  general  secondary  dentin 
formation,  but  no  doubt  certain  forms  of  irritation  are  introduced 


Fig.  376 


Fig.  377 


Fig.  376. — Secondary  dentin  filling  the  pulp  chamber  in  a  case  of  abrasion  of  a  cuspid  tooth: 
a,  portion  lost  by  abrasion;  c,  abraded  surface;  d,  secondary  dentin,  filUng  a  portion  of  the  pulp 
chamber,  and  acting  as  a  protection  to  the  pulp;  e,  slender  point  of  the  pulp — irregular  deposits 
are  seen  on  the  walls  of  the  pulp  chamber,  as  at  /;  g,  cylindrical  calcifications  in  the  root  portion 
of  the  pulp  chamber. 

Fig.  377. — Secondary  dentin  from  the  same  specimen  as  Fig.  376,  magnified  sufficiently  to 
show  the  difference  in  primary  and  secondary  tissue:  a,  abraded  surface  crown;  6,  secondary  den- 
tin; c,  primary  dentin;  d,  junction  of  primary  with  secondary  dentin;  e,  remains  of  pulp  tissue; 
/,  small  ova^  masses  of  calcific  material.     (Black.) 


competent  to  produce  the  changes;  for  example,  slight  looseness  of 
teeth,  causing  a  constant  pulp  stimulation.  At  times  reflex  irrita- 
tion seems  to  be  a  competent  cause,  as  in  cases  of  partial  abrasion 
the  unworn  teeth  may  be  affected  in  equal  degree  with  the  worn 
ones. 

Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. — The  formation  is  usually  noted 
opposite  to  some  area  of  injury,  and  may  be  distinguished  from 
normal  dentin  by  its  translucency,  or  sometimes  by  its  color,  which 


SECONDARY  DENTIN 


429 


may  be  a  light  brown.  The  deposit  may  be  of  fairly  regular  or 
irregular  distribution,  and  even  tumors  attached  to  the  dentin  have 
been  described  (Figs.  374  and  378). 

Black  has  shown  that  in  the  deposits  against  normal  dentin  the 
first-formed  portion  contains  an  almost  normal  number  of  tubules, 
but  their  direction  is  sharply  changed.  As  the  deposits  become 
thicker  the  tubules  become  fewer,  and  finally  the  dentin  becomes 
amorphous  in  character  (Fig.  381). 

Fig.  378 


Dentinal  tumor  within  pulp  chamber:  A,  diagram  of  the  tooth,  with  dotted  line  showing  the 
position  of  the  section  B.  In  B  the  pulp  chamber  is  shown  in  section,  nearly  natural  size,  show- 
ing the  tumor  within.  C  is  an  illustration  of  the  tissue  of  fhe  tumor;  a,  a,  the  primary  dentin; 
6,  irregular  tubules  connecting  the  newgrowth  with  the  primary  dentin — most  of  these  are  very 
dark  and  irregular;  c,  c,  a  calcospherite  included  in  the  mass;  d,  apparently  a  bloodvessel  calcified; 
e,  calcified  tissue;  /,  a  finely  granular  mass;  g,  a  spur  of  very  transparent  dentin.  Dentinal  tubules 
appear  at  h,  h.     (Black.) 


Black  relates  these  appearances  with  the  gradual  atrophy  and  dis- 
appearance of  the  odontoblasts.  As  the  pulp  becomes  smaller  it 
also  necessarily  undergoes  atrophy. 

Hopewell-Smith,  treating  of  secondary  dentin  under  the  title  of 
"Adventitious  Dentin,"  mentions  several  varieties:  (1)  Fibrillar,  or 
that  containing  tube-like  markings  finer  and  less  regular  than  in 
normal  dentin.  This  would  correspond  to  that  in  Fig.  378,  h.  (2) 
Areolar,  that  containing  interglobular  spaces  formed  by  the  non- 


430       CONSTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

union  of  calcospherites.  (3)  Cellular,  or  that  in  which  the  connective- 
tissue  cells  of  the  pulp  remain  encapsulated  in  the  calcifying  matrix. 

(4)  Laminar,  in  which  laminated  spherites  appear   (Fig.  378,  c). 

(5)  Hyalin,  having  a  granular  or  ground-glass-like  appearance  (the 
amorphous  substance  of  Black)  (Fig.  378,/).  He  regards  the  adven- 
titious dentin  as  formed  by  pulp  cells  rather  than  by  the  odonto- 
blasts. 

In  these  cases  the  pulp  deposits  calcoglobulin  against  the  dentin. 

Apparently  in  some  of  Black's  cases  the  calcoglobulin  was  deposited 
about  preexisting  fibrillse  which  continued  to  persist  in  the  new 
formation,  the  remaining  odontoblasts  receding,  while  in  Tomes' 
cases  the  pulps  were  compelled  to  calcify  a  plastic  exudate  as  a  sort 

Fig.  380 


Fig.  379. — Illustration  of  the  narrowing  of  the  pulp  chamber  in  a  molar  (superior)  by  the 
deposit  of  secondary  dentin  resulting  from  abrasion,  showing  the  portions  of  the  chamber  in  which 
the  deposit  usually  occurs.  The  light-shaded  portion  (&)  shows  the  original  dimensions  of  the 
chamber,  which,  in  this  instance,  seems  to  have  been  pretty  large;  a,  a  point  of  deep  abrasion; 
c,  c,  remaining  pulp  chamber,  which  is  mostly  filled  with  irregular  masses;  d,  one  of  the  root  canals. 
It  will  be  observed  that  the  narrowing  of  the  root  canal  is  within  the  original  pulp  chamber.   (Black.) 

Fig.  380. — P.D.,  primary  dentin;  S.D.,  secondary  dentin;  P,  pulp  chamber;  D,D,  nodules, 


of  basis  for  the  beginning  of  tubule  formation.  This  is  probably  the 
case  in  formation  of  secondary  dentin  as  a  repair  of  exposure  under 
a  cap.  Black  has  shown  that  in  abrasion  the  deposit  is  more  regular 
than  in  caries,  without  doubt  due  to  the  fact  that  the  thermal  irrita- 
tion in  caries  is  more  irregular  than  the  irritation  of  the  fibrillse  by 
abrasion.  A  deposit  projecting  from  any  point  about  the  pulp  cavity 
side  into  the  pulp  is  called  a  "dentinal  tumor"  (Fig.  378). 

The  entire  crown  may  be  removed  by  abrasion  and  yet  the  pulp 
be  protected.  It  some  cases  the  protective  action  ceases  and  the 
pulp  becomes  closely  approached  or  exposed  (Fig.  265),  probably 
due  to  a  cessation  of  secondary  dentin  formation,  the  result  of 
degeneration  and  loss  of  odontoblasts,  or  it  may  be  due  to  very 
rapid  wear  (a  later  stage  of  Fig.  376). 


SECONDARY  DENTIN  431 

The  mode  of  deposition  upon  the  sides  of  the  canal  in  abrasion, 
shown  by  Fig.  376,  is  quite  characteristic,  and  sometimes  annoying 
in  that  it  permits  an  unlooked-for  exposure,  which,  upon  cocain 
anesthesia,  causes  one  to  follow  a  fine  opening  for  an  eighth  of  an 
inch  or  more  before  finding  a  proper  canal. 

Deposits  in  canals  may  occur,  lessening  their  lumen  and  increasing 
the  difficulty  of  canal  exploration  (Fig.  374). 

"Secondary  growths  in  cases  of  abrasion  are  not  confined  alone  to 
the  abraded  teeth,  but  other  teeth  which  have  escaped  wear  may  be 
affected  in  equal  degree.  In  all  of  these  cases  there  is  direct  evidence 
that  the  odontoblastic  layer  has  been  stimulated  to  increased  activity 
and  produced  the  regular  secondary  deposition."^  (See  Reflex 
Hyperemia  of  the  Pulp.) 

Secondary  dentin  is  often  accompanied  by  other  constructive 
changes  in  the  pulp — i.  e.,  pulp  nodules  and  calcareous  degeneration 
(Figs.  380  and  386). 

jMiller  has  shown  that  dentin  resorption  by  the  pulp  may  be 
repaired  by  a  new  deposit  of  secondary  dentin,  which  Hopewell- 
Smith  has  shown  to  be  of  the  nature  of  cementum. 

Tomes*  describes  and  illustrates  a  peculiar  case  of  united  fracture 
occurring  in  the  practice  of  Mr.  Harding.  In  an  incisor  an  oblique 
fracture  occurred  which  entirely  separated  the  fractured  segment, 
yet  a  plastic  exudate  from  the  pulp  occurred  which,  when  calcified, 
attached  it  to  the  fixed  portion  of  the  tooth.  The  new  formation 
did  not  resemble  dentin  (Fig.  373). 

Fig.  294  illustrates  a  case  of  repair  of  an  incisor  fractured  at  a 
point  well  up  beneath  the  gum,  a  condition  reasonably  insuring 
asepsis.  A  firm  reattachment  occurred.  I  have  seen  such  a  fracture 
which  resulted  in  pulp  death  and  the  coronal  portion  remained  in 
situ  for  two  years  (according  to  the  patient).  This  would  give  time 
for  such  a  plastic  exudate  to  form.  In  another  case  I  was  compelled 
to  remove  a  pulp  for  hyperemia  two  months  after  a  fall  fractured  a 
tooth  in  this  location. 

Kirk^  records  a  case  of  immediate  replantation  in  early  life,  followed 
in  old  age  by  root  resorption.  The  tooth,  when  extracted,  contained 
secondary  dentin,  which  could  only  have  formed  as  the  result  of  a 
reattachment  of  the  pulp. 

W.  H.  Trueman'*  reported  that  hypersensitive  dentin  was  noted 
some  years  after  a  replantation  imder  similar  conditions. 

Osteodentin. — Tomes  states  that  secondary  dentinal  deposits  may 
assume  the  character  of  osteodentin,  a  form  of  dentin  found  in  the 

1  Black:   American  System  of  Dentistry,  vol.  i.  2  Dental  Surgery. 

'  Proceedings  of  the  Academy  of  Stomatology,  1902.  *  Ibid. 


432       CONSTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

teeth  of  some  animals,  in  which  the  tissue  presents  combined  char- 
acteristics of  both  bone  and  dentin.  He  cites  the  example  also  that 
elephants'  tusks  are  frequently  repaired  with  osteodentin  after  injury. 
The  specimen  illustrated  (Fig.  382)  was  taken  from  a  case  in  which 
the  coronal  portion  of  the  pulp  chamber  was  almost  obliterated  by 
a  deposit  of  secondary  dentin.  Probably  some  of  the  pulp  cells 
have  taken  on  the  characteristics  of  osteoblasts.  Tissue  resembling 
cementum  seems  to  be  frequently  found  as  a  tissue  of  repair  (Fig.  382) . 

Fig.  381 


Calcification  or  deposit  of  secondary  dentin,  resulting  from  caries  of  an  incisor:  A,  diagram  of 
section  of  incisor,  showing  caries  at  a,  and  secondary  dentin  at  b.  B,  illustration  magnified  200 
diameters,  to  show  the  tissue  of  the  secondary  dentin:  a,  pulp  chamber;  b,  b,  secondary  dentin; 
c,  primary  dentin.  It  will  be  noticed  that  the  dentinal  tubes  in  the  secondary  dentin  gradually 
disappear,  giving  place  to  a  clear  calcification.     (Black.) 


Results  of  Secondary  Dentin. — The  formation  of  large  masses  of 
secondary  dentin  unquestionably  brings  about  a  degenerative  con- 
dition of  the  pulp  which  may  become  a  cause  of  neuralgia.  The  pulp 
may  die,  and,  becoming  infected,  may  produce  pericemental  irrita- 
tion. In  one  case  seen  the  secondary  deposit  in  the  pulp  chamber 
had  separated  the  canal  filaments  of  the  pulp  of  a  multirooted  tooth 
into  independent  pulps,  one  of  which  was  dead  and  the  others  alive 
and  undergoing  degeneration.  The  specific  symptoms  were  those  of 
pericementitis — i.  e.,  elongation  and  tenderness  to  percussion. 

In  another  case  of  a  first  upper  bicuspid  the  lingual  filament  was 


SECONDARY  DENTIN 


433 


perfectly  covered  in  and  vital.  The  buccal  filament,  likewise 
enclosed  and  isolated,  contained  an  abscess  within  the  pulp. 

The  symptoms  complained  of,  however,  were  those  of  acute  peri- 
cemental irritation,  simulating  incipient  septic  apical  pericementitis 
(Fig.  414). 

It  has  been  shown  by  Hopewell-Smith  that  microorganisms  may 
enter  the  pulp  by  way  of  the  spaces  or  tubes  in  adventitious  dentin. 
In  Burchard's  case  a  molar  containing  a  deep  cavity  filled  with  zinc 
phosphate  gave  vague  pain,  finally  referred  to  the  tooth,  which 
respo  ded  only  faintly  to  hot  applications  and  not  at  all  to  cold  ones. 
Secondary  dentin  was  found  complicated  by  calcareous  degeneration 
— i.  e.,  a  degenerated  pulp  was  present. 

Fig.  382 


Osteodentin:  A,  outline  of  incisor,  showing  a  narrowing  of  the  root  canal  at  6  by  a  deposit  of 
osteodentin.  B,  illustration  of  the  tissue:  a,  primary  dentin;  b,  line  of  the  beginning  of  a  growth 
of  secondary  dentin;  c,  secondary  dentin;  d,  layer  of  granular  matter;  e,  osteodentin;  this  has  the 
lacunae  at  g  and  dentinal  tubes  at  k;  /seems  to  be  the  surface  of  the  osseous  deposit;  i,  irregular 
crystalline  deposits;  h,  the  pulp  chamber.     X  350.     (Black.)     (Tomes.) 


In  certain  cases  a  deposit  extends  well  into  a  canal,  totally  obliter- 
ating it  for  much  of  its  length.  Unless  symptoms  be  present  it  may 
ordinarily  be  left.  In  such  cases  thermal  tests  for  pulp  vitality  seem 
often  inconclusive.  The  electric  current  should  be  a  more  satisfactory 
means  of  diagnosis,  provided  the  dentin  be  moist.  Secondary 
dentin  is  sometimes  quite  hypersensitive,  as  shown  by  attempts  at 
entering  the^pulp;  in  most  cases  it  is  quite  insensitive  until  the  pulp 
is  reached.  It  is  also  difficult,  as  a  rule,  to  force  cocain  through 
secondary  dentin,  even  with  a  compound  syringe,  and  arsenic  acts 
28 


434       CONSTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

slowly,  though  it  devitalizes  if  the  dentin  be  sensitive.  (See  Dry 
Gangrene.) 

Treatment. — Secondary  dentin  which  has  been  regularly  deposited, 
and  particularly  in  the  canals  of  anterior  teeth,  calls  for  no  treatment. 
Should,  however,  great  hypersensitivity  of  the  dentin  and  pulp,  or 
pulp  disease,  be  evident  or  inferred  from  symptoms,  the  pulp  should 
be  removed  by  forcing  in  cocain,  or  arsenic  is  used.  Canal  open- 
ing ma}^  involve  a  search  of  some  difficulty  and  necessitate  the 
removal  of  much  dentin.  The  canals  may  be  much  constricted, 
especially  at  that  portion  nearest  the  pulp  chamber.  The  condition 
may  be  more  or  less  complicated  by  the  presence  of  pulp  nodules  or 
calcific  degenerations  in  addition  to  the  secondary  dentin. 

Pulp  Nodules. — Definition. — Pulp  nodules  (pulp  stones,  nodular 
calcifications)  are  masses  of  more  or  less  translucent,  calcific  material, 
apparently  the  result  of  secretion,  having  a  fairly  definite  histological 
structure  differing  from  that  of  dentin,  and  occupying  a  position 
within  the  pulp  substance.  They  are  rarely  fused  with  the  dentinal 
walls  of  the  pulp  chamber,  and  then  are  included  by  formation  of 
secondary  dentin  about  them. 

Occurrence. — While  these  growths  may  occupy  the  pulp  chambers 
of  teeth  in  which  the  pulp  has  been  the  seat  of  direct  irritation,  their 
occurrence  is  by  no  means  confined  to  such  teeth.  They  are  found  not 
only  in  teeth  which  have  suffered  abrasion,  erosion,  and  slowly  pro- 
gressing caries,  but,  as  pointed  out  by  Black,  they  may,  and  frequently 
do,  form  in  other  teeth  of  the  same  denture  which  are  not  directly 
involved  in  the  irritation.  This  investigator  notes  that  irritation  of 
the  pulp  of  one  tooth  of  a  denture  very  frequently  causes  a  general 
hyperesthesia  (due  to  mild  reflex  hyperemia)  of  the  pulps  of  all  of 
the  teeth.  This  is  particularly^  notable  in  the  type  of  persons  classed 
as  neuralgic.  It  is  also  common  in  persons  of  the  hyperacid  diathesis. 
Nodules  are  found  much  more  frequently  in  the  teeth  of  middle-aged 
persons  than  in  those  of  youth,  although  they  may  be  present  as 
early  as  the  ninth  year,  as  shown  by  skiagraphy.  They  occur  more 
frequently  multiple  than  single.  Some  of  the  larger  nodules  are 
evidently  formed  by  the  coalescence  of  smaller  ones. 

Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. — The  structure  of  pulp  nodules 
does  not  resemble  that  of  dentin;  they  possess  about  the  same  degree 
of  translucency  and  hardness  as  secondary  dentin.  Outwardly  they 
may  assume  almost  any  form;  they  range  in  size  from  minute  bodies 
to  a  size  sufficient  to  almost  obliterate  the  pulp  (Figs.  380  and  386). 

A  section  of  a  nodule  exhibits  the  presence  of  a  number  of  concen- 
trically laminated  bodies,  recognizable  as  hardened  calcospherites. 
Black  found  them  to  rarely  make  up  any  considerable  portion  of  the 


PULP  NODULES 


435 


bulk  of  the  nodule.     The  remainder  of  the  nodule  is  made  up  of 
structureless  material  which  may  contain  a  few  fine  tubes. 

He  also  found  deposits  in  the  i)ulp  which  throw  light  upon  the 
possible  origin  of  nodules  in  some  cases,  and  to  some  extent  upon 
the  conditions  under  which  they  may  be  formed.     In  the  pulp  of 

Fiu.  3S3 


PA 


A  pulp  nodule  fused  to  the  parietes  of  a  pulp  cavity.     Prepared   by  grinding:    PN,  pulp  nodule; 
D,  dentin  of  the  tooth.     X  15.    From  section  by  J.  F.  Colyer.    (Hopewell-Smith.) 


a  second  molar  of  a  girl,  aged  fifteen  years,  in  which  there  had  been 
decided  subjective  evidences  of  pulpitis  recurring  at  intervals  for  a 
period  of  two  months,  he  found  a  mass  representing  a  pulp  nodule  in 
its  soft  state.  "  About  one-half  of  the  coronal  portion  of  the  pulp  was 
involved  in  the  inflammation;  lying  a  little  inside  of  the  layer  of 
odontoblasts  were  several  masses  similar  to  Fig.  385,  having  globular 


436       CONSTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF   THE  DENTAL  PULP 

forms  in  their  mass  or  attached  to  their  margins.  The  globular 
bodies  present  the  laminated  appearance  of  calcospherites."  These 
masses  may  in  all  probability  be  interpreted  as  intermediate  products 
in  the  formation  of  nodules;  they  have  not  yet  become  calcified. 

Fig.  384 


Section  of  a  pulp  nodule,  showing  many  calcospherites,  as  pointed  out  by  a,  a.    (Black.) 


A  small  nodule  may  be  made  up  of  laminated,  structureless 
material,  the  laminae  being  arranged  about  a  central  nucleus,  the 
nature  of  which  is  not  clear,  but  may  possibly  be  calcified  dead  cells 

(Fig.  387). 

Fig.  385 


The  conditions  of  calcification  of  nodules  are  not  definitely  known. 
Hopewell-Smith  considers  that  they  are  deposited  by  the  pulp  cells  as 
a  secretion  about  themselves,**and  that  the  cells  are  later  obliterated 
or  may  persist  in  situ  (Fig.  388).     He  also  describes  and  illustrates 


PULP  NODULES 


437 


a  case  of  a  nodule  which  had  within  it  a  pulp  cavity  containing  pulp 
tissue. 

Pulp  nodules  occur,  as  a  rule,  in  the  better  grades  of  teeth  which 
show  constructive  tendencies  upon  the  part  of  the  pulp. 

It  is  possible  that  in  these  pulps  the  pulp  cells  under  conditions  of 
irritation  secrete  calcoglobulin,  which  in  part  is  developed  into  spher- 
ites  and  in  part  remains  without  definite  histological  characteristics. 
The  masses  are  probably  calcified  after  their  deposition.    Whatever 


Calcification  of  the  dental  pulp:  At  A  is  shown  the  outline  of  a  lower  molar  with  a  ca\-itj-  at  6. 
The  pulp  chamber  is  much  reduced  in  size  and  filled  with  calcific  material,  as  shown  in  B.  a,  a, 
large  granular  mass  of  calcific  material,  which  is  verj-  transparent,  but  finely  granular.  A  very 
few  irregular  lines  are  seen  in  the  centre,  which  slightly  resemble  dentinal  tubes;  b,  an  erratic 
growth  of  irregularly  formed  and  unusually  transparent  dentin;  c,  line  of  the  growth  of  dentin 
from  the  floor  of  the  pulp  chamber — the  growth  from  other  directions  is  so  perfectly  regular  as  to 
leave  no  markings;  d,  margin  of  the  ca^-ity  of  decay;  e,  a  bundle  of  cylindrical  forms  of  calcific 
material  extending  down  into  the  root  canal.    These  extended  to  the  apex  of  the  root.     (Black.) 


the  origin  of  the  masses — ^by  cell  secretion  or  otherwise — the  histo- 
logical record  indicates  a  gradual  increase  in  the  size  of  the  deposit. 
Pressure  upon  the  nerves  results  in  irritation.  Pulp  nodules  are 
usually  found  in  the  coronal  portion  of  the  pulp,  but  sometimes  exist 
in  the  root  portions,  either  free  or  embedded  in  secondary  dentin. 
If  they  obstruct  the  lumen  of  the  canal  they  cause  interference  with 
the  circulation  and  nerve  tissue  and  may  produce  great  pain.  As  in 
the  case  of  secondary  dentin,  nodules  may  be  produced  by  reflex 


438       CONSTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  TEE  DENTAL  PULP 

hyperemia,  as  the}^  are  quite  frequently  found  in  teeth  near  to  an 
impacted  tooth. 

Symptoms. — Multiple  nodules  may  exist  in  a  dental  pulp  and  give 
rise  to  no  evident  symptoms  whatever,  as  is  shown  by  their  presence 
in  extracted  teeth,  many  of  them  free  from  caries,  and  in  which  there 
was  no  history  of  pain.  On  the  contrary,  the  pulp  of  a  tooth  may 
be  the  seat  of  intractable  pain  without  a  depth  of  carious  invasion 
which  would  lead  to  the  inference  of  acute  pulp  disease;  and  relief 
only  be  secured  through  devitalization  of  the  pulp,  which  upon 
examination  may  reveal  a  small  pulp  nodule. 

Fig.  387 


A  pulp  nodule  isolated  from  the  pulp.  Shows  its  central  nuclear  formation  and  its  con- 
centric lamination.  Prepared  by  grinding.  X  50.  From  collection  of  G.  W.  Watson.  (Hopewell- 
Smith.) 


The  symptoms  attendant  upon  the  presence  of  nodules,  so  far  as 
they  can  be  made  out,  appear  to  be  of  two  types — those  associated 
with  small  and  those  with  extensive  deposits.  Reflex  pain  is  the 
common  associate  of  both. 

Small  Deposits. — While  it  is  true  that  pulp  nodules  may  some- 
times exist  in  apparently  sound  teeth  without  inducing  pain,  yet  the 
pulps  of  teeth  containing  them  become  excessively  hyperesthetic 
under  what  are  ordinarily  mild  sources  of  irritation.  This  is  mani- 
fested, first,  through  the  contents  of  the  dentinal  tubuli;  the  dentin 
becomes  exquisitely  sensitive  and  cool  water  directed  into  a  shallow 


PULP  NODULES  439 

cavity  produces  a  paroxysmal  and  excruciatingly  painful  response 
from  the  pulp.  In  the  absence  of  direct,  extraneous  irritatidn  of  the 
pulp,  the  dental  symptoms  may  be  absent,  but  a  persistent  neuralgia 
may  be  located  at  some  distant  point.  Pain  in  the  ear  is  a  frequent 
symptom.  Occasionally  an  obstinate  scalp  neuralgia,  with  the  exist- 
ence of  a  hyperesthetic  spot,  appears.  Pain  in  the  eye,  with  tender- 
ness over  the  supra-orbital  foramen,  is  also  common.  Guilford^  has 
reported  a  case  of  tic  douloureux  of  two  years'  standing,  the  result 
of  pulp  nodules.  The  pain  may  be  recurrent  or  persistent.  If,  in  the 
absence  of  a  more  probable  explanation  of  the  pain,  a  pulp  nodule  be 

FiQ.  388 


p.v 


M  N 


M  N 


'J'lie  formation  of  the  pulp  nodule.  Prepared  by  Mr.  Hopcwell-Smilh's  process.  I'N,  pulij 
nodules;  MN,  meduUated  nerve  bundles;  P,  pulp  tissue;  C,  capillary.  X  230.  (Uopewcll- 
Smith.) 

suspected,  and  arsenical  applications  be  made  to  devitalize  the  pulp, 
it  is  found  that  not  only  is  intense  pain  caused,  but  examination  after 
even  a  week  or  more  shows  the  pulp  to  be  still  vital  and  hypersensi- 
tive; and,  in  order  to  effect  its  destruction,  repeated  applications  and 
large  doses  of  arsenic  must  be  used.  Cocain  introduced  by  cata- 
phoresis  is  also  apt  to  be  slow  in  action. 

Large  Deposits. — In  extensive  deposits  of  pulp  nodules  the 
dentin  may  be  almost  devoid  of  sensation,  and  applications  of  heat 
or  cold,  even  in  large  cavities,  may  be  followed  by  delayed  and  faint 

'  Private  communication. 


440       CONSTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

pulp  response.  Such  cases,  however,  commonly  give  a  history  of  reflex 
neuralgia  and  vague  dental  pains  extending  over  a  period,  it  may  be, 
of  years.    With  some  large  deposit  the  pain  may  be  exquisite. 

Diagnosis. — Their  diagnosis  by  means  of  the  x-rays  is  positive  (Figs. 
389,  390,  and  391),  but  their  diagnosis  by  symptoms  may  only  be 
inferential  and  confirmation  be  lacking  until  after  devitalization  of 
the  pulp  and  the  finding  of  the  pulp  nodules  in  its  substance. 

The  tardy  action  of  arsenic  is  also  observed  in  the  cases  of  large 
deposits,  it  being  frequently  necessary  to  devitalize  the  pulp  piece- 
meal, and  sometimes  the  arsenic  will  hardly  be  tolerated  at  all. 


Fig. 


Fig.  390 


Fig.  391 


Pulp  nodules  in  the  radicular  and  coronal 
portions  of  the  canal.  (Skiagraphs  by 
Price.i) 


First  and  second  bicuspid  roots  filled. 
Pulp  nodule  in  first  molar.  (Skiagraph  by 
Lodge.) 


Treatment. — Pulps  inferred  or  shown  by  a:-rays  to  contain  nodules 
should  be  removed.  The  cataphoric  apparatus  or  compound  syringe 
or  even  ordinary  cocain  pressure  may  be  used  to  benumb  the  pulp 
by  cocain;  at  least,  sufficiently  for  the  removal  of  the  nodule.  If 
desired,  the  remainder  of  the  pulp  may  generally  but  not  always  be 
anesthetized  by  the  same  means  and  removed.  The  bloodletting 
attendant  upon  removal  of  the  bulb  of  the  pulp  usually  permits  an 
arsenical  application  for  devitalization  of  the  remainder  of  the  pulp 
to  be  painlessly  made,  but  this  is  not  always  the  case. 

The  same  result  may  be  attained  by  drilling  open  the'pulp  cavity 
while  the  patient  is  under  the  influence  of  nitrous  oxid  gas  or  somno- 
form,  or,  possibly,  intra-alveolar  injection  of  cocain. 

At  times  arsenic  may  be  applied  to  the  pulpal  wall  of  the  cavity, 
if  one  exist,  or  in  a  specially  prepared  pocket,  without  production  of 
painful  reaction. 

After  forty-eight  hours  a  portion  of  dentin  is  to  be  removed  and 
a  stronger  application  made.  When  the  pulp  is  closely  approached, 
the  arsenic  is  to  be  left  a  week  or  longer  in  position,  when,  as  a  rule, 


'  Items  of  Interest,  1901. 


CALCIFIC  DEGENERATION  OF   THE  PULP  441 

the  nodule  may  be  removed.  Another  application  may  then  be  left 
in  position  for  a  week  or  longer  to  insure  devitalization. 

If,  after  devitalization,  the  nodule  or  calcific  degeneration  be 
found  as  a  spicular  deposit  in  the  mouth  of  the  canal,  it  may  usually 
be  removed  by  teasing  it  from  side  to  side,  first  soaking  the  part 
with  a  sodium  dioxid  solution,  or  50  per  cent,  sulphuric  acid,  which 
quickly  destroys  the  organic  matter  of  the  pulp. 

Pericemental  reactions  are  quite  apt  to  follow  the  removal  of  such 
pulps.  This  result  is  best  obviated  by  awaiting  the  thorough  death 
of  the  pulp  filaments  before  attempting  their  removal. 

If  such  reaction  arise,  strong  sedatives,  such  as  menthol  solutions, 
are  to  be  applied  on  cotton  as  root-canal  dressings,  and  counter- 
irritants  are  to  be  applied  to  the  gum.  (vSee  Non-septic  Apical  Peri- 
cementitits.) 

Calcific  Degeneration  of  the  Pulp. — By  a  calcific  degeneration  is 
meant  the  infiltration  of  inorganic  matter  derived  from  the  lymph 
into  tissue  which  is  dead  or  undergoing  degeneration.  It  occurs  in 
any  part  of  the  body  in  which  the  necessary  conditions  are  present. 
(See  p.  82.) 

Causes  and  Pathology. — The  conditions  apparently  necessary  for 
the  production  of  calcific  degeneration  are  those  which  occur  in  a 
semistagnant  blood  current.  An  acid  reaction  occurs  owing  to  the 
presence  of  an  excess  of  carbon  dioxid,  which  favors  deposition  of 
inorganic  matter.  The  albuminous  matter  of  the  tissue  undergoes 
degenerative  changes  owing  to  the  faulty  nutritive  supply  and  waste 
removal. 

Probably  some  cells  die.  They  or  their  constituents  have  some 
affinity  for  inorganic  salts  which  are  taken  up  from  the  lymph.  Thus 
gradually  the  tissue  becomes  infiltrated. 

Those  causes  which  produce  a  sufficient  degeneration  of  pulp  tissue 
to  induce  the  above  process  are:  (1)  The  pulp  exhaustion  due  to 
the  formation  of  secondary  dentin  or  pulp  nodules;  (2)  continued 
hyperemia  or  chronic  inflammation  in  which  venous  hyperemia  plays 
a  part. 

Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. — The  calcic  material,  unlike  the 
cases  of  nodular  calcification,  encloses  the  anatomical  elements  of  a 
pulp  in  process  of  degeneration  in  a  mass  produced  by  deposition, 
not  secretion.  In  the  root  portions  of  pulps  in  which  fibrous  ele- 
ments have  become  pronounced  the  calcification  may  be  tubular  or 
cylindrical  in  character,  the  nature  of  the  calcareous  masses  being 
apparently  a  deposition  about  and  along  the  fibers  (Fig.  392). 

The  pulps  are,  of  course,  living.  There  is  a  comparative  absence 
of  cellular  elements  in  the  pulp — i.  e.,  they  have  atrophied,  degen- 


442       CONSTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF   THE  DENTAL  PULP 

erated,  and  been  absorbed.  Upon  optical  examination  the  masses 
are  seen  to  be  opaque,  are  brittle,  and  decidedly  unlike  pulp  nodules 
in  form. 

Another  evidence  of  the  cellular  degeneration  is  seen  in  the  great 
ease  with  which  such  pulps  are  removed  after  devitalization,  even 
the  most  minute  apical  portions  freely  coming  away  after  slightly 
catching  a  hook  in  the  pulp — i.  e.,  the  usual  odontoblastic  attach- 
ment to  the  dentin  is  not  present.  When  extracted  these  pulps 
have  a  granular  feel  to  the  fingers,  and  when  dry  may  be  quite  stiff 
(Fig.  393). 

Fig.  392 


A,  outline  of  a  lower  molar,  with  a  large  carious  cavity  at  a;  h,  pulp  chamber;  the  shaded  portion, 
c,  was  occupied  by  cylindrical  calcifications.     B,  cylindrical  calcifications.     X  100.    (Black.) 

Symptoms. — Degenerations  of  the  pulp,  as  a  rule,  present  symptoms 
of  reflex  pain,  vaguely  referred  to  other  parts.  The  response  to  hot 
applications  is  usually  greater  than  that  to  cold  ones,  and  both  are 
delayed — i.  e.,  five  seconds  or  more  may  elapse  before  pain  follows 

Fig.  393 


Lingual  filament  of  pulp  of  an  upper  molar,  broken  in  extraction.    The  rigidity  of  the 
filament  was  due  to  the  presence  of  calcific  granules. 


a  severe  test  like  the  intensely  cold  spray  of  ethyl  chlorid  or  a  hot 
burnisher  or  blast  of  hot  air.  At  times  with  an  open  pulp  chamber 
the  symptoms  of  chronic  pulp  inflammation  are  obtained.  There 
may  be  a  painful  reaction  to  arsenic  applied  to  the  pulp. 


CALCIFIC  DEGENERATION  OF  THE  PULP  443 

Diagnosis  and  Treatment. — The  x-rays  should  afford  a  positiv'e 
diagnosis,  but  in  their  absence  the  diagnosis,  apart  from  the  infer- 
ence from  the  symptoms,  is  a  postmortem  one.  In  cases  warrant- 
ing the  interference,  in  which  there  is  a  delayed  response  to  intense 
thermal  tests  applied  to  a  filling  or  a  clean  pulpal  wall,  the  dentin 
over  the  pulp  should  be  removed  and  the  pulj)  devitalized.  Upon 
removal  of  the  pulp  it  may  be  found  to  contain  one  or  more  large 
or  many  granular  masses. 

Fig.  393  illustrates  a  case  discovered  upon  fracture  of  a  molar 
during  the  operation  of  extraction.  In  another  case  the  pulp  was 
slightly  bendable  when  extracted,  but  after  drying  for  a  half-hour 
became  at  its  apical  end  of  needle-like  sharpness  and  stiffness.  It 
was  filled  with  calcific  granules. 

The  constructive  diseases  of  the  pulp  are  an  evidence  of  an  attempt 
upon  the  part  of  the  pulp  to  protect  itself;  but  with  the  exception, 
perhaps,  of  a  very  regularly  deposited  secondary  dentin  the  effects 
react  upon  the  pulp  itself,  causing  its  destruction.  To  what  extent, 
therefore,  secondary  dentin  is  beneficial  is  an  open  question. 

Evidences  of  constructive  action  upon  the  part  of  the  pulp  may 
occasionally  be  noted  in  the  temporary  teeth — e.  g.,  secondary  dentin 
following  deep  abrasion. 

There  do  not  seem  to  be  any  observations  as  to  the  formation  of 
nodules  or  calcific  degenerations  in  the  pulps  of  temporary  teeth,  but 
there  is  no  good  reason  why  they  should  not  occur,  particularly  after 
abrasion.  The  pulp  diseases  of  the  temporary  teeth  are  usually  of 
an  acutely  destructive  nature,  which  may  account  in  some  degree 
for  the  absence  of  reports  touching  this  subject. 


CHAPTER    XVI 

DESTRUCTIVE   DISEASES  OF   THE  DENTAL  PULP 

This  class  of  pulp  diseases  consists  of  those  of  an  acute  character, 
although  chronic  diseases  may  arise  as  sequels  of  the  original  con- 
ditions. They  are  essentially  destructive  in  character  and  attended 
by  prompt  degeneration  of  pulp  tissues.  The  most  important, 
clinically,  are  those  having  an  evident  association  with  disorders  of 
the  bloodvessels  of  the  pulp. 

HYPEREMIA  OF  THE  PULP 

Hyperemia  of  the  pulp  is  an  excess  of  blood  in  the  more  or  less 
dilated  vessels  of  that  organ.  It  is  of  two  forms:  active  or  arterial 
hyperemia,  and  venous  or  passive  hyperemia  or  congestion.  These 
two  classes  differ  in  their  probable  direct  causations  and  in  effects. 

Active  Hyperemia  of  the  Pulp. — Definition. — Active  or  arterial 
hyperemia  of  the  pulp  is  an  excess  of  blood  in  the  dilated  arteries 
and  capillaries  of  the  pulp,  the  pulp  functions  being  increased  in  mild 
continued  cases  or  disturbed  by  a  gradual  passage  of  the  condition 
into  a  venous  hyperemia  in  more  severe  cases. 

Direct  Causes. — The  most  common  cause  of  active  hyperemia  of 
the  pulp  is  a  lessening  of  the  non-conducting  covering  of  the  organ, 
enamel,  and  dentin,  leading  to  an  increased  response  and  continued 
irritation  of  the  pulp  through  thermal  stimuli.  A  similar  condition 
consists  in  the  presence  of  large  metallic  fillings  in  close  proximity  to 
the  pulp,  through  which  abnormal  thermal  stimuli  are  received 
(Fig.  394) .  Fillings  through  which  prompt  pulp  response  to  thermal 
changes  are  felt  are  a  direct  menace  to  the  continued  health  of  the 
pulp.  It  is  surprising,  however,  to  what  an  extent  the  pulp  may 
protect  itself  against  such  stimuli  by  the  formation  of  secondary 
dentin  and  tubular  calcification.  Thus  cervical  cavities  filled  with 
gold  often  produce  a  pulp  hyperemia,  of  which  the  patient  com- 
plains as  painful  reaction  to  cold,  but  which  passes  away  in  a  few 
weeks.  The  vigorous  use  of  sandpaper  disks  in  finishing  large  fillings 
may  precipitate  an  attack  of  pulp  hyperemia,  but  only  if  the  pulp 
is  in  a  critical  condition.    The  loss  of  tooth  substance  mentioned 


HYPEREMIA  OF   THE  PULP 


445 


may  occur  either  through  abrasion,  erosion,  fracture,  or  caries.  The 
condition  frequently  occurs  without  direct  exposure  of  the  dental 
pulp,  and  at  times  when  cavities  are  relatively  shallow.  Even  the 
simple  cervical  exposure  of  dentinal  fibrillae  may  cause  it,  but  does 
not  often  do  so.  Septic  dentin  beneath  fillings  acts  as  a  cause  by  con- 
stantly irritating  the  dentinal  fibrillae.  The  leaving  of  septic  dentin 
in  a  cavity  and  a  firmly  placed  yet  leaking  filling  may  so  act.  Inclu- 
sion of  saliva  beneath  a  metal  or  gutta-percha  filling,  and  the  imper- 
ceptible shifting  of  a  filling  during  placement,  are  causes  of  septic 
dentin.  Amalgam  may  so  shift  if  slight  yet  excessive  force  be  used 
in  finishing  at  the  first  sitting.     The  sign  is  the  appearance  and 


Fig.  394 


Fig.  395 


Fig.  396 


Fig.  397 


Fig.  394. — A,  Cavity  or  metal  filling  approaching  pulp;  B,  hyperemic  (sometimes  inflamed) 
pulp;  C,  area  of  hyperemia  of  apical  tissue,  due  to  extension  from  the  pulp  or  possibly  to  back 
pressure  of  blood. 

Fig.  395. — A,  Area  of  non-septic  inflammation  of  apical  tissue  due  to  injury  as  from  a  blow  or 
malocclusion;  B,  hyperemia  or  mild  non-septic  inflammation  of  the  pulp  due  to  overflow  from 
the  apical  tissue. 

Fig.  396. — A,  pyorrhea  pocket;  septic  inflammation  at  C;  B,  area  of  lesser  inflammation;  D, 
hjTDeremia  of  pulp;   E,  normal  tissue. 

Fig.  397. — A,  ulcerated  or  necrotic  alveolar  wall  due  to  injury  and  infection;  B,  inflammation 
more  or  less  non-septic  (lesser  inflammation) ;  C,  hyperemia  of  pulp  due  to  overflow  of  blood 
at  B.  An  abscess  on  an  adjoining  root  has  the  same  pathology.  If  extending  to  the  molar  it 
infects  its  pulp  from  the  apex. 


disappearance  of  moisture  at  a  visible  margin  as  the  filling  is  moved. 
This  is  often  unobserved  unless  one  be  very  thoughtful  of  its  possi- 
bility. The  cement  beneath  an  ill-fitted  crown  also  appears  to 
become  saturated  with  saliva  or  serum,  and  its  odor  indicates  septic 
irritation.  This  is  less  likely  to  occur  under  gutta-percha,  but  odor 
can  be  noted  in  some  such  cases.  Hyperemia  may  occur  from  the 
presence  of  a  pulp  nodule.  All  pulp  hyperemias,  if  intense,  may 
extend  into  the  apical  tissue  and  cause  pericemental  hyperemia  with 
symptoms  of  tenderness  to  touch  (Fig.  394). 

Indirect  Causes.^ — Pulp  hyperemia  may  also  be  caused  by  injury  or 
disease  of  the  apical  tissue  of  a  tooth  containing  a  vital  pulp.  Mal- 
occlusion from  any  cause,  overfull  fillings  or  crowns,  a  blow,  or 


446        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP  . 

overmalleting,  or  the  extrusion  occurring  in  pyorrhea  alveolaris/is 
competent  to  produce  it.  A  pericemental  hyperemia  is  first  produced, 
which  extends  into  the  pulp  (Fig.  395).  An  abscess  upon  an  adjacent 
tooth  may  have  its  area  of  hyperemia  extend  into  the  apical  tissue 
of  the  tooth  adjoining,  thus  producing  hyperemia  of  the  pulp  (p. 
129).  A  fairly  deep  pyorrhea  pocket  may  frequently  act  in  a  similar 
manner  upon  the  pulp  of  the  tooth  (Fig.  396).  An  intense  hyper- 
emia or  inflammation  in  the  pulp  of  one  tooth  may,  by  reflex  action, 
produce  hyperemia,  with  its  characteristic  response  to  hot  and  cold 
applications,  in  another  tooth,  or  be  due  to  the  causes  exciting  hyper- 
cementosis.  An  aphthous  ulcer  upon  the  gum  over  a  tooth  has  pro- 
duced arterial  hyperemia  of  the  pulp  by  reflex  or  by  indirect  action. 
Also  an  ulcerated  alveolar  process  resulting  from  infected  alveolus, 
or  the  use  of  alveolar  forceps,  or  even  the  regular  healing  of  an 
alveolus  after  extraction,  may  cause  it  in  a  healthy  adjoining  or 
even  distant  tooth.  Also  any  irritation  along  any  branch  of  the 
fifth  nerve  or  any  of  its  terminals  may  reflexly  induce  a  hyperemia 
of  the  pulp  (Fig.' 397). 

Unquestionably,  systemic  conditions,  as  malaria,  or  syphilis,  or 
irritation  in  another  part  of  the  body  than  that  supplied  by  the  fifth 
nerve,  as  the  uterus  or  bladder,  may  excite  pain  in  the  teeth,  which, 
if  repeated,  sooner  or  later  excites  a  hyperemia,  as  in  the  case  of  scalp 
tenderness  from  dental  disease,  and  which  will  probably  be  tempo- 
rary. Infarction  has  been  induced  by  malaria,  etc.  The  mode  of 
hyperemia  production  is  probably  a  dilatation  of  bloodvessels  due 
to  vasomotor  disturbance  produced  by  reflex  action. 

Apart  from  the  hyperemia  occurring  in  inflammation  and  that  due 
to  septic  dentin,  or  a  septic  extradental  inflammation,  it  may  be 
said  that  arterial  and  venous  hyperemia  are  mainly  due  to  non-septic 
causes,  and  even  in  septic  cases  to  be  mainly  in  itself  aseptic,  in  so 
far  as  the  pulp  is  concerned. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  arterial  hyperemia  vary  according 
to  the  degree  of  vascular  disturbance.  So  long  as  a  qtiick,  sharp 
pain  is  produced  by  contact  with  cold  or  hot  substances,  ceasing 
immediately,  and  only  reappearing  in  response  to  direct  stimuli,  no 
serious  vascular  disturbance  is  inferred;  but  when  paroxysms  of 
sharp  pain,  lasting  from  many  minutes  to  hours,  follow  upon  an 
application  of  cold  to  a  carious  cavity,  an  unbroken  enamel  surface, 
a  filling,  or  an  area  of  erosion  or  abrasion,  a  profound  disturbance  of 
the  vessels  of  the  pulp  is  indicated. 

The  pains,  in  the  absence  of  direct  irritation,  are,  as  a  rule,  but 
vaguely  located.  During  paroxysms  it  is  of  a  lancinating  character, 
and  usually  reflected  to  another  part  than  the  tooth  affected — e.  g., 


HYPEREMIA  OF  THE  PULP  447 

a  sound  tooth  at  a  distance,  the  gum  between  or  above  the  teeth, 
the  ear,  the  eye,  the  supra-orbital  region,  the  infra-orbital  region, 
the  scalp,  the  chin,  the  arm,  etc. 

As  a  rule,  when  an  upper  tooth  is  affected,  the  pain  is  located  in 
the  superior  maxillary  division  of  the  fifth  nerve;  if  a  lower,  in  the 
inferior  maxillary  division.  The  pain  varies  in  intensity  from  a  vague 
uneasiness  to  an  acute  neuralgic  attack,  with  tender  spots  over  the 
point  of  emergence  of  the  nerve  tracts,  as  at  the  supra-orbital  and 
infra-orbital  and  mental  foramina.  The  neuralgic  pains  are  not 
always  constant;  they  may  disappear  from  the  second  or  third 
division  of  the  fifth  nerve  and  appear  in  the  first. 

The  proof  of  the  direct  connection  between  the  pulp  pain  and  the 
neuralgia  may,  in  some  cases,  be  clearly  made  out  by  the  thermal 
test.  When  a  jet  of  cool  water  is  directed  against  the  tooth  whose 
pulp  is  affected,  it  may  produce,  in  addition  to  a  local  pain,  an  aggra- 
vation of  the  neuralgic  pains,  but  one  must  carefully  exclude  the 
extradental  causes  before  diagnosticating  a  necessity  for  interference 
with  the  tooth  tested. 

Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. — The  one  distinctive  and  charac- 
teristic anatomical  condition  associated  with  active  hyperemia  is  an 
irregular  dilatation  of  the  vessels  of  the  pulp.^  Fig.  398  represents 
a  section  of  the  pulp  of  a  tooth  extracted  during  a  paroxysm  of  acute 
pain — "acute  paroxysms  of  pain  lasting  for  an  hour  or  more  were 
occasionally  occurring  in  consequence  of  very  trivial  changes  of 
temperature;  the  condition  had  existed  for  several  weeks."  In  some 
cases  of  a  similar  character — i.  e.,  presenting  the  same  symptoms, 
but  extracted  during  an  interval  of  quiet — nothing  remarkable  is 
presented.  The  gradual  enlargement  of  the  veins  indicates  the 
lessening  outlet  at  the  apical  foramen;  or,  in  other  words,  the  begin- 
ning and  establishment  of  a  venous  hyperemia. 

The  most  rational  explanation  of  the  dilatation  of  the  vessels  is 
that  it  is  an  irregular  paralysis  of  vessel  walls — i.  e.,  of  vasomotor 
nerves.  Whether  the  more  usual  painful  responses  of  the  pulp  to 
thermal  stimuli  are  due  to  the  stimulation  of  vasodilator  fibers, 
which  causes  hyperemia,  is  a  matter  of  doubt;  but  the  pathological 
conditions  noted  in  pronounced  hyperemia  signify  a  paralysis  of 
vasoconstrictor  fibers.  Subjected  to  repeated  overstimulation,  they 
become  inactive  and  the  vessel  walls  yield  to  the  pressure  of  the 
blood  column.  Black's  researches  indicate  that  the  vessel  walls  may 
recover  their  tone  and  the  vasoconstrictor  nerves  their  functional 
activity  after  paralysis.     Certainly,  clinical  experience  shows  that 

'  Black:   American  System  of  Dentistry. 


448        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP     _ 

in  all  purely  arterial  hyperemias,  or  even  those  associated  with  mild 
venous  hyperemia — for  the  two  may  be  inseparable — in  cases  with 
symptoms,  the  cases  can  be  cured  if  the  causes  can  be  removed. 

Diagnosis  and  Prognosis. — Diagnosis  of  hyperemia  of  the  pulp  is 
made  through  observance  of  a  combination  of  signs  and  symptoms. 
The  symptoms  leading  to  its  detection  are  paroxysms  of  pain  induced 
by  thermal  stimuli  and  a  history  of  pain  in  the  region  in  which  this 
response  is  elicited.  The  signs  of  the  condition  available  for  diag- 
nosis in  the  order  of  their  importance  and  frequency  are  carious 

Fig.  398 


Hyperemia  of  the  dental  pulp,  showing  the  injection  of  the  vessels:  a,  a,  membrana  eboris,  or 
layer  of  odontoblasts;  6,  b,  b,  b,  vessels  distended  with  blood;  c,  c,  c,  c,  points  from  which  the  blood 
has  fallen  in  handling  the  section.     (Black.) 


cavities,  not  exposing  the  pulp,  the  presence  of  large,  well-made 
metallic  fillings,  or  recently  made  fillings  of  any  sort,  deep  erosions 
or  abrasions,  the  presence  of  leaking  fillings  (septic  dentin),  fractures 
exposing  the  dentin,  metallic  crowns  on  teeth  containing  vital  pulps, 
sound  or  filled  teeth  affected  by  pyorrhea,  by  infected  socket,  or 
aphthous  ulcer  or  abscess  near  by;  by  blows,  or  reflexly  from  other 
teeth.  Sound  or  filled  teeth  with  pulp  nodules,  or  hypercementosis, 
may  be  diagnosticated  by  the  a:-rays  only. 


HYPEREMIA   OF   THE  PULP 


449 


It  is  to  be  remembered  that  arterial  hyperemia  may  be  of  several 
grades  of  severity,  according  to  the  vascular  disturbance. 

The  diagnosis  is  made  purely  by  differentiation,  and  sometimes 
only  by  trying  the  therapeutic  test.  The  causes  acting  and  other 
possible  pulp  diseases  must  be  fairly  considered  and  excluded  before 
a  certain  diagnosis  can  be  made.  As  a  rule,  the  absence  of  pulp 
exposure  and  the  character  of  the  response  to  thermal  tests  are  the 
decisive  phenomena.  The  pulp  cannot  be  examined  in  daily  prac- 
tice, hence  these  signs  warrant  a  diagnosis  of  hyperemia.  Exposure 
of  the  pulp  or  the  close  proximity  of  the  infective  mass  should  lead 
to  a  diagnosis  of  inflammation. 


Dilated  bloodvessels  from  the  dental  pulp  in  hyperemia,  from  tooth  extracted  during  a 
paroxysm  of  intense  pain.     (Black.) 


The  temperature  of  the  water  used  in  testing  should  not  be  lower 
than  60°  F.,  and  should  be  applied  drop  by  drop.  A  normal  pulp  will 
rarely  respond  painfully  to  afew  drops  of  water  at  the  temperature 
named,  flowed  into  a  cavity;  but  a  hyperemic  pulp  will  almost  invari- 
ably respond  vigorously.  As  a  rule,  a  current  of  air  from  a  chip 
blower  is  a  test  of  sufficient  severity. 

In  the  absence  of  a  carious  cavity  the  source  of  the  pain  is  to  be 
sought  in  large  fillings,  testing  each  tooth  by  dropping  cool  water  on 
the  filling;  in  cases  of  erosion  or  abrasion  the  test  is  made  upon  the 
exposed  dentin.  The  tooth  which  responds  with  a  quick  paroxysm 
of  intense  pain,  passing  away  slowly,  is  diagnosticated  as  the  seat  of 
pulp  hyperemia. 

In  making  this  test  doubt  may  arise  as  to  which  of  two  adjoining 

teeth  is  at  fault.    A  small  square  of  rubber  dam,  with  a  single  hole 

punched  in  its  centre,  may  be  passed  over  the  tooth  to  be  tested,  thus 

isolating  it,  yet  the  water  will  remain  in  the  mouth.     As  before 

29 


450         DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF   THE  DENTAL  PULP 

stated,  however,  the  location  of  a  hyperemia  pulp  does  not  always 
mean  the  location  of  the  cause,  which  may  be  exterior  to  the  tooth, 
and  should  be  looked  for  elsewhere  before  interfering  with  the  pulp 
hyperemia. 

The  prognosis  of  arterial  hyperemia  is  favorable  for  pulp  conser- 
vation in  extradental  cases  and  in  cases  of  cavities  of  decay  which 
admit  of  cleansing  without  pulp  exposure,  or  in  cases  of  filled  teeth 
if  the  fillings  are  removed,  and  in  which  the  paroxysms  have  not 
been  too  severe  or  too  often  repeated.  Properly  protected  from 
thermal  shocks  the  vessels  may  recover  their  tone.  It  is  also  favor- 
able in  cases  of  light  blows  or  malocclusion  if  rest  of  the  apical 
tissues  be  secured. 

It  w^ould  be  favorable  in  cases  of  deep  erosions  which  can  be  filled 
with  non-conductors;  but  this  condition  is  rarely  seen  in  erosion. 
It  is  favorable  in  fractures  without  exposure  if  caps  can  be  secured 
in  place,  but  is  unfavorable  in  ordinary  abrasions  unless  deeper  than 
the  general  occlusal  level,  or  in  sound  teeth  the  pulps  of  which  are 
irritated  without  evident  cause.  In  cases  of  actual  exposure  of  the 
pulp  it  contra-indicates  attempts  at  conservation,  except  in  the 
mildest  varieties  and  most  favorable  circumstances,  and  then  only 
when  conservation  is  important.  Practically  no  one  can  diag- 
nosticate a  pure  hyperemia  in  such  a  case. 

Treatment. — The  therapeutic  principles  involved  in  the  treatment 
of  this  condition  are  the  removal  of  the  source  of  irritation  and  the 
securing  of  physiological  rest.  The  treatment  is  directed  toward 
immediate  relief  of  the  existing  condition  and  the  prevention  of  its 
recurrence.  If  a  carious  cavity  exist,  it  is  to  be  freed  from  debris, 
and  the  grosser  portions  of  the  carious  dentin  are  removed;  the 
pulp,  if  unexposed,  is  to  have  the  layer  of  softened  dentin  covering 
it  left  unremoved,  if  leathery  and  not  disintegrated. 

Sedative  agents  are  imperatively  called  for;  of  those  used  the  most 
effective  being  the  oil  of  cloves  or  eugenol,  equal  parts  of  oil  of 
cloves  and  phenol,  equal  parts  of  phenol  and  camphor  (phenol  cam- 
phor), equal  parts  of  phenol  and  thymol  (thymophen),  a  saturated 
solution  of  thymol  in  alcohol  or  of  menthol  in  chloroform  or  menthol, 
3  parts,  phenol,  1  part,  or  solutions  of  cocain.  Thymol  or  menthol 
crystals  may  be  added  to  any  of  these.  Dentalone  and  Phenandyne 
are  valuable  semi-proprietary  preparations.  These  agents  are  all 
germicides  as  well  as  sedatives,  and,  therefore,  sterilize  the  dentin  of 
cavities  in  which  they  are  sealed. 

They  are  to  be  applied  upon  a  pledget  of  cotton  and  carefully 
secured  in  place  by  means  of  temporary  stopping,  oxysulphate  of 
zinc,  soft  zinc  phosphate,  or  facing  amalgam;  sometimes  by  the  use 


HYPEREMIA  OF  THE  PULP  451 

ot  cotton  and  thickened  tincture  of  benzoin  or  similar  varnish.  In 
from  twenty-four  to  forty-eight  hours  the  tooth  is  placed  under  the 
rubber  dam  and  excavated,  if  not  a  case  of  filling  removal;  its  walls 
are  varnished,  and  o\'er  the  wall  nearest  the  pulp  a  disk  of  softened 
gutta-percha  is  laid.  Over  this  zinc  phosphate  paste  is  flowed. 
"Formagen"  or  " Jodoformagen"  may  be  used  in  place  of  the 
gutta-percha.  A  stiff  mixture  of  eugenol  and  Hubbuck's  zinc  oxid 
is  a  very  valuable  sedative  cement  which  hardens  in  saliva  and  may 
remain  a  time  as  a  test  and  then  be  in  part  left  as  a  permanent  floor 
covering.  It  is  usual  to  complete  such  fillings  with  zinc  phosphate 
or  gutta-percha,  to  remain  for  six  months  or  a  year.  The  conduc- 
tivity of  zinc  phosphate  is  too  high  to  be  used  as  the  sole  material 
over  pulps  which  have  been  the  seat  of  pronounced  hyperemia.  In 
mild  cases  the  filling  may  be  completed  at  once. 

If  the  pulp  be  exposed,  it  is  probably  the  part  of  wisdom  to  remove 
it  immediately  by  cocain  anesthesia  or  by  arsenic  after  sedation  or 
depletion,  though  if  for  any  special  reason  capping  be  demanded,  it 
may  be  done.  When  the  hyperemia  is  active  both  cocain  and  arsenic 
may  be  resisted. 

If  desired,  the  protective  pocket-like  coverings  made  for  arsenical 
applications  may  be  utilized  for  the  reception  of  the  sedative  appli- 
cation.    (See  Coverings  for  Arsenic.) 

The  following  history  of  a  case  offers  a  good  example  of  hyperemia 
(so  diagnosticated).  A  central  was  drilled  lingually  with  a  round 
bur,  by  a  dentist  who  mistook  a  vital  tooth  for  the  one  threatening 
an  abscess.  Finding  it  vital  when  the  pulp  was  exposed  at  a  minute 
orifice,  he  filled  with  gold,  evidently  laying  a  cylinder  of  gold  across 
the  exposure.  For  two  years  the  pulp  reacted  to  cold,  the  response 
finally  becoming  so  severe  that  each  effort  at  cleansing  the  teeth 
caused  pain  from  thermal  shock.  As  the  adjoining  tooth  was  without 
a  lingual  pit,  and  the  electric  light  showed  a  deep  filling,  it  was 
removed,  and  the  condition  related  found.  The  attempts  to  remove 
the  pulp  by  cocain  pressure  failed  four  times,  once  after  sedation, 
and  repeated  applications  of  arsenic  were  necessary. 

It  not  infrequently  happens  that  it  becomes  necessary  to  assist  the 
pulp  arteries  to  recover  their  tone  by  means  of  counterirritants 
applied  to  the  gum  over  the  apex  of  the  root.  This  is  especially  true 
in  cases  of  pulp  capping.  Dental  tincture  of  iodin  (iodin,  Siij; 
alcohol,  5j;  dissolve  by  succussion;^  or  potassium  iodid,  sat.  sol., 
and  zinc  sulphate,  sat.  sol.,  p.  sq.,  with  iodin  crystals  to  complete 
saturation"^)  is  to  be  applied  in  spots  to  the  gums,  or  a  mixture 

1  Flagg.  -  Northrop. 


452        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

of  equal  parts  of  tincture  of  iodin  and  tincture  of  aconite  may  be 
painted  upon  the  gum.  A  mixture  made  of  two  parts  of  tincture  of 
aconite  and  one  part  of  chloroform  is  recommended  by  Jack/  to  be 
applied  to  the  cleansed  and  dried  mucous  membrane  by  means  of  a 
pad  of  cottonoid,  one-half  inch  wide  by  three-quarters  of  an  inch 
long.  It  should  be  held  in  place  by  the  finger  for  fifteen  seconds. 
Tincture  of  aconite  upon  cotton,  placed  in  the  rubber  cup-applicator 
of  a  cataphoric  apparatus  and  held  against  the  gum  for  a  half  minute 
while  the  current  of  a  few  cells  is  active,  will  produce  a  circum- 
scribed area  of  irritation  which  may  later  lose  its  epidermis.  This 
amount  of  irritation  is  valuable.  A  capsicum  plaster  may  be  used. 
For  any  case  of  obdurate  pain  systemic  sedation  or  derivation  may 
be  employed.    (See  Pulpitis.) 

-  In  cases  of  abrasion  or  erosion  an  obtundent  is  applied;  an  exca- 
vation having  a  retentive  form  is  made,  which  is  varnished  and  filled; 
or  in  abrasion  the  pulp  may  require  removal.  A  tooth  containing  a 
large  metallic  filling  must  have  the  filling  removed,  and  after  reducing 
the  hyperemia  a  non-conducting  layer  must  be  placed  between  the 
pulp  and  the  filling.  The  precaution  should  always  be  taken,  when 
the  pulps  of  teeth  in  which  cavities  have  been  prepared  respond 
unduly  to  the  temperature  test,  to  cover  the  dentinal  walls  with  a 
layer  of  non-conducting  material.  In  the  absence  of  this  precaution 
the  constant  overstimulation  of  the  pulp  by  thermal  impulses  con- 
ducted through  the  metallic  filling  may  at  any  time  result  in  hyper- 
emia. If  mild  hyperemia  occur  after  filling  with  metal,  it  ordinarily 
passes  away  after  a  few  weeks.  The  fibrilloe  at  first  rebel,  then 
become  tolerant,  owing  to  tubular  calcification,  etc. 

In  the  cases  due  to  hypersensitive  dentin  the  powerful  coagulant 
silver  nitrate,  formaldehyd,  etc.,  are  to  be  tried.  (See  Hypersensitive 
Dentin.) 

In  the  cases  due  to  apical  irritation  not  only  must  counterirritants 
be  applied  to  the  gum,  but  it  may  be  necessary  to  cap  an  adjacent 
tooth  with  a  rubber  dam  guard  in  order  to  guard  against  the  irri- 
tation of  the  apical  tissue  by  overocclusion.  (See  Acute  Apical 
Abscess.) 

If  the  hyperemia  is  of  a  gradual  onset  and  clue  to  an  overoccluding 
filling  or  crown,  this  is,  of  course,  to  be  reduced  to  normal  occlusion. 
If  due  to  the  overocclusion  induced  by  chronic  pyorrhea,  the  over- 
occluding  tooth  is  to  be  shortened.  If  of  acute  onset,  a  guard  may 
also  be  necessary.  As  illustrating  its  effectiveness  in  combination 
with  removal  of  the  cause,  may  be  cited  a  case  of  an  upper  third  molar 

1  American  Text-book  of  Operative  Dentistry. 


HYPEREMIA   OF  THE  PULP  453 

with  a  small  pyorrhea  pocket  on  the  mesiolingiial  aspect  of  the  root. 
It  overoccluded  one  thirty-second  of  an  inch,  each  bite  producing 
excruciating  local  j)ain,  with  also  reflex  to  the  ear.  In  twenty-four 
hours'  use  of  the  guard,  the  pocket  having  l)een  treated,  the  occlusion 
was  almost  normal,  the  reflex  pain  gone,  and  the  guard  was  removed 
and  the  tooth  brought  to  normal  occlusion.  In  all  cases  of  cause 
external  to  the  tooth  the  cause  alone  is  to  l)e  treated.  Trichloracetic 
acid,  or  silver  nitrate  in  saturated  aqueous  solution,  may  be  applied 
to  inflamed  bone  or  aphthje;  while  "dry  socket"  or  exposed  and 
ulcerated  alveolus  surface  must  be  treated  as  indicated.  (See  Index.) 
The  patient  is  to  be  directed  to  avoid  the  use  of  very  cold  or  hot 
substances. 

Idiopathic  hyperemia  occasionally  aflFects  teeth  in  which  there  is 
no  loss  of  enamel  or  dentin,  and  when  this  condition  occurs  leads 
to  suspicion  that  the  pulp  is  the  seat  of  nodular  deposits;  though 
cases  have  occurred,  particularly  of  lower  incisors,  in  which  none 
were  found  after  devitalization.  Some  form  of  apical  traumatism 
may  also  be  looked  for,  or  reflexes.  If  not  found,  the  pulp  usually 
requires  devitalization,  though  counterirritants  may  be  tried. 

The  test  of  success  of  remedial  measures  is  the  gradual  reduction 
of  response  to  slight  variations  in  temperature — /.  e.,  the  pulp 
gradually  bears  higher  and  lower  temperatures  until,  approximately, 
a  normal  tolerance  is  established. 

As  shown  by  Jack,  this  varies  for  hot  applications  from  152°  F.  to 
118°  F.,  and  for  cold  ones  from  74°  F.  to  32°  F. 

In  order  to  determine  the  rate  of  tolerance  normal  to  the  individual, 
he  suggests  that  sound  lower  incisors  be  isolated  by  the  rubber  dam 
and  tested  by  throwing  upon  them  first  water  at  a  temperature  of 
80°  F.  The  temperature  of  the  water  is  then  gradually  lowered  or 
raised  until  slight  pain  is  produced  by  the  test.  The  point  registered 
by  the  thermometer  will  be  the  normal  limit  of  thermal  tolerance  for 
the  particular  test. 

The  data  gained  are  useful  in  determining  the  progress  of  a  case 
of  hyperemia. 

A  lack  of  success  in  the  reduction  of  the  arterial  hyperemia  is 
evidence  that  the  more  severe  condition  of  venous  hyperemia  has 
supervened,  or  perhaps  an  infection  has  caused  a  true  inflammation. 

When,  after  fair  trial  of  conservative  treatment,  the  pulp  is  per- 
sistently irritable,  it  should  be  removed. 

In  the  devitalization  of  hyperemic  pulps  there  is  often  painful 
reaction  to  any  of  the  means  employed.  Some  of  these  pulps  resist 
cocain  pressure  in  any  form  even  after  sedation ;  some  yield  after 
sedation.     Sedation  or  depletion  should  precede  arsenical  applica- 


454         DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

tions,  and  if  at  any  time  arsenic  produce  a  painful  hyperemia  or 
aggravate  one  previously  existing,  it  must  be  removed  and  sedatives 
used  before  its  renewal,  or  it  may  be  applied  at  another  portion  of 
the  tooth  while  sedatives  are  kept  against  the  pulp. 

It  is  evident  that  such  a  grade  of  vascular  excitement  as  exists  in 
cases  of  exposed  dentin  is  quite  capable  of  producing  the  constructive 
diseases  of  the  pulp  described  as  secondary  dentin  and  pulp  nodules. 
On  the  other  hand,  inflammation  of  the  pulp  has  produced  resorption 
of  the  walls  of  the  pulp  chamber. 

Pulp  Irritation  from  Electric  Action. — It  is  of  quite  common 
occurrence  that  galvanic  electricity  causes  pulp  irritation.  The 
cataphoric  current  too  long  continued  may  induce  a  hyperirritability 
of  the  pulp  amounting  in  some  cases  to  evidence  of  hyperemia,  which 
may  subside  under  proper  treatment  or  eventuate  in  pulp  death  from 
venous  hyperemia.  The  occasional  connection  of  a  newly  placed  or 
bright  amalgam  filling  with  a  gold  filling,  bridge,  plate,  or  clasp, 
through  the  medium  of  saliva  or  food  (which  amounts  practically 
to  the  same  thing),  will,  at  times,  produce  painful  galvanic  shocks  in 
a  vital  tooth.  Dr.  Franz  Trauner^  has  reported  that  such  pain  has 
been  felt  in  devitalized  teeth.  This  is  outside  of  the  editor's  experi- 
ence, and  should  not  occur  in  totally  devitalized  teeth,  as  the  electric 
current  is  a  test  for  pulp  vitality.  The  mouth  mirror,  or  a  fork  or 
pin,  touched  to  a  new  amalgam  filling,  may  also  produce  the  pain, 
but  a  nickelled  steel  instrument  usually  does  not. 

Treatment. — With  cataphoresis,  the  mischief  being  accomplished, 
the  case  must  be  treated  as  other  arterial  hyperemias. 

In  the  case  of  shocks  from  the  presence  of  the  two  metals  it  may 
be  ignored  if  slight  and  the  filling  new,  as  it  will  probably  soon  pass 
away.  A  well-set  and  brightly  polished  amalgam  filling  may  be 
tarnished  if  necessary  by  touching  it  with  a  1  per  cent,  solution  of 
silver  nitrate;  or,  if  good  color  be  a  necessity,  the  pulp  of  the  tooth 
may  be  well  insulated  by  means  of  a  gutta-percha  substratum,  or 
the  pulp  may  be  devitalized.  If  the  fillings  be  in  adjoining  teeth, 
they  should  be  contoured  so  as  to  touch  persistently  if  possible.  If 
in  the  same  tooth,  the  fillings  should  be  connected  by  either  amalgam 
or  gold. 

Painful  shock  is  sometimes  produced  by  the  animal  electricity 
discharged  from  the  operator  during  dry,  cold  weather.  It  usually 
occurs  when  the  finger  is  placed  upon  a  metal  filling,  or  the  plugger 
point  is  returned  to  a  metal  filling.  Touching  the  metal  part  of  the 
chair  before  approaching  the  patient  will  obviate  this  disagreeable 
contact. 

>  See  Dental  Cosmos,  1903. 


HYPEREMIA  OF  THE  PULP  455 

Venous  Hyperemia  of  the  Pulp. — Definition. — By  venous  hyper- 
emia of  the  pulp  is  meant  a  condition  of  the  pulp  in  which  the  return 
of  the  blood  in  the  pulp  to  the  heart  is  mechanically  prevented. 

Causes,  Pathology,  and  Morbid  Anatomy. — But  two  causes  seem 
competent  to  produce  such  a  venous  hyperemia.  These  are:  (1)  A 
preexistent  arterial  hyperemia;  (2)  thrombosis  of  vessels  at  the  apex 
of  the  pulp  canal. 

In  arterial  hyperemia  the  excess  of  blood  is  contained  in  enlarged 
capillaries  and  arterial  trunks.  The  enlarged  main  trunks  or  trunk 
at  the  apex  of  the  pulp  must  compress  the  veins,  as  the  apex  of  the 
canal  is  unyielding.  In  proportion  to  the  severity  of  the  arterial 
hyperemia,  therefore,  are  the  emergent  veins  unable  to  remove  the 
blood  collected  in  the  capillaries  and  venules,  which  gradually 
enlarge  into  varicosities  in  consequence. 

It  has  been  shown  by  Hopewell-Smith^  that  thrombosis  of  the 
small  veins  and  capillaries  throughout  the  pulp  may  result  in  rupture 
of  the  arteries,  and  hemorrhagic  extravasations  occur — either  single 
or  multiple.  These  he  terms  hemorrhagic  infarcts,  although  the 
description  given  more  accurately  denotes  a  minute  venous  hyper- 
emia.    (See  Fibroid  Degeneration  of  the  Pulp.) 

Black  has  shown  that  the  diapedesis  of  red  corpuscles,  which  is  a 
characteristic  result  of  engorgement  of  the  veins  in  venous  hyper- 
emia (see  p.  119),  occurs  in  the  pulp.  Edema,  which  usually  accom- 
panies venous  hyperemia  in  other  situations,  cannot  well  occur  in 
the  pulp  because  of  its  unyielding  surroundings  (Fig.  400). 

It  is  possible,  however,  that  fluid  may  exude  into  the  perivascular 
spaces,  compressing  the  cellular  elements.  Black  has  shown  that 
deposits  of  lymph  may  thus  occur  in  pulpitis.  The  intense  congestion 
and  distention  of  the  vessel  walls  permit  a  free  diapedesis  of  red 
corpuscles  into  the  pulp  tissue.  Disintegration  of  the  red  cor- 
puscles may  occur  and  the  coloring  matter  of  the  corpuscles  may 
be  diffused  through  the  dentin,  giving  it  a  pink  discoloration  tech- 
nically known  as  "suffusion."  The  infiltrated  dentin  may  then 
become  progressively  discolored  through  the  characteristic  changes 
of  color  noted  in  connection  with  gradually  decomposing  hemoglobin 
- — becoming  brown  or  blue,  and  finally  blue  black.  Cases  have 
occurred  of  coronal  suffusion  in  which  the  pulp  vitality  has  persisted 
for  months.  In  some  cases  the  bulbar  portion  alone  may  be  dead. 
Partial  gangrene  and  the  general  darkening  of  the  tooth  may  be 
present  even  in  a  single-rooted  tooth  with  the  pulp  partly  alive. 
This  is  proof  that  collateral  circulation  exists  in  the  pulp.     In  cases 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1907. 


456        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

of  suffusion  even  all  the  root  of  a  molar  ma}'  be  suffused,  and  peri- 
cementitis, associated  with  such  a  hyperemia,  seems  particQlarly 
intractable.    The  vasomotor  paralysis  is  extreme. 

If  a  tooth  receive  a  blow  of  sufficient  severity,  its  pulp  may  die 
without  much  evidence  of  pulp  pain.  On  the  other  hand,  if  the 
blow  be  less  severe,  it  may  give  evidence  of  an  arterial  hyperemia, 
gradually  increasing  in  severity. 

Fig.  400 


Section  of  hyperemic  pulp,  showing  aneurysmal  dilatation  of  the  vessels,  extravasatioDS  of 
blood,  and  red  blood  disks  escaped  apparently  by  diapedesis:  a,  a,  dilated  vessels;  b,  b,  fc,  extrava- 
sated  blood.  Besides  this,  red  blood  disks  are  plentifully  distributed  everywhere  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  veins.    The  tooth  was  extracted  during  a  paroxysm  of  pain.     (Black.) 


In  the  former  case;  it  is  probable  that  the  bruising  of  the  apical 
tissue  produces  a  condition  of  thrombosis  at  the  apex  which  involves 
the  pulp  by  shutting  off  both  its  afferent  and  efferent  vessels.  A 
stagnation  results,  and  death  from  lack  of  nutrition  occurs.  This  is 
also  termed  "jugulation." 

In  the  latter  case  the  thrombosis  has  not  occurred,  but  an  arterial 
hyperemia  is  set  up  by  the  irritation  of  the  pulp  nerves,  and  may  go 
on  to  venous  hyperemia,  or,  possibly,  it  might  produce  the  extrava- 
sations leading  to  fibroid  degeneration  of  the  pulp  (which  see). 


HYPEREMIA  OF  THE  PULP  457 

It  is  quite  probable  that  rapid  death  of  the  i)ulp  in  pulpitis  is  due 
to  the  associated  venous  hyperemia. 

Kirk^  mentioned  an  interesting  case  of  venous  hyperemia  with 
intense  suffusion  of  all  the  teeth  as  the  result  of  hanging.  In  such  a 
case  there  was  arterial  blood  supplied  to  the  teeth,  but  the  venous 
flow  was  checked. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  this  condition,  in  the  absence  of 
definite  data,  can  only  be  inferential.  When  the  paroxysms  of  pain 
are  continuous,  instead  of  temporary — that  is,  when  the  pain,  instead 
of  temporarily  subsiding,  maintains  a  constant  intensity  for  hours 
and  does  not  respond  promptly  to  sedative  therapeusis,  and  is  accom- 
panied by  a  sense  of  fulness  rather  than  sharp  agony — a  condition 
of  serious  venous  congestion  is  inferred.  The  case  from  which  Fig. 
400  was  taken  had  been  the  seat  of  intense  paroxysmal  pain  for  some 
hours.  Upon  close  approach  to  such  a  pulp,  blueness  of  the  horn 
instead  of  pinkness  may  sometimes  be  seen. 

Prognosis. — Perfect  recovery  from  this  condition  is  extremely 
doubtful,  so  that  if  the  pulp  be  not  intentionally  devitalized  and 
removed,  it  will  undergo  degenerative  changes.  The  fact  that  pulps 
have  remained  alive  for  years,  after  having  been  the  seat  of  marked 
congestion,  scarcely  warrants  the  attempt  to  save  so  seriously 
crippled  an  organ. 

Treatment. — The  prognosis  being  doubtful,  the  pulp  should  be 
obtunded  and  devitalized.  x\s  the  pulp  pain  does  not  ordinarily 
yield  to  sedatives,  it  should  be  gently  exposed  if  the  excavation  does 
not  accomplish  its  exposure.  An  antiseptic  is  to  be  applied,  and  by 
means  of  a  very  sharp  puncture  probe  the  pulp  is  to  be  delicately 
punctured.  A  free  flow  of  blood  follows,  which  relieves  the  vascular 
engorgement.  When  this  is  accomplished  the  cavity  is  to  be  syringed 
out  with  warm  water,  and  a  pellet  of  cotton  containing  a  saturated 
solution  of  menthol  in  chloroform  may  be  sealed  in  the  cavity,  or 
simply  retained  by  means  of  a  second  pellet  of  cotton  saturated  with 
inspissated  tincture  of  benzoin  or  chloro-percha.  After  twenty-four 
hours  an  arsenical  application  may  be  made  for  the  purpose  of 
pulp  devitalization,  or  the  pulp  may  be  removed  by  other  means  if 
tolerated.  If  desired,  the  bulb  of  the  pulp  may  be  taken  out  under 
general  anesthesia,  or,  possibly,  under  cocain  pressure  anesthesia, 
though  intense  hyperemia  counteracts,  as  a  rule. 

The  extreme  paralysis  of  the  vessel  walls  is  occasionally  shown  by 
persistent  hemorrhage  after  depletion,  and  which  resists  ordinary 
effort  at  limitation.     In  some  cases  the  intense  pain  may  continue 

'  Private  communication. 


458        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF   THE  DEXTAL   PULP 

as  well.  The  application  to  the  pulp  of  a  mixture  of  powdered 
thymol  and  dried  alum,  equal  parts,  taken  up  on  a  pellet  of  cotton 
moistened  with  a  saturated  solution  of  thymol  in  alcohol,  has 
proved  useful  in  some  cases.  A  general  anodyne  may  be  required 
for  relief  of  the  pain. 


INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  PULP  (PULPITIS) 

Definition. — Pulpitis  is  the  occurrence  of  the  phenomena  of  inflam- 
mation within  the  pulp  tissue.  The  characteristic  emigration  of 
leukocytes  from  the  bloodvessel  into  the  perivascular  tissues  must 
have  occurred. 

Causes. — This  morbid  anatomy  is  usually  found  associated  with  dis- 
eases of  the  tooth  crown  or  pericemental  tissue  which  admit  bacteria 
to  the  pulp.  At  the  same  time  it  is  quite  possible  that  a  non-septic 
irritant,  such,  for  example,  as  a  partially  absorbed  extravasation  of 
red  corpuscles  or  undue  pressure  of  a  filling  upon  a  thin  lamina  of 
healthy  dentin  overlying  the  pulp,  or  as  has  occurred  of  a  metal 
filling  upon  or  even  extending  into  a  pulp,  or  an  escharotic  applied 
to  the  pulp  may  induce  the  characteristic  pathology  of  inflammation. 
(See  Inflammation,  p.  121.) 

According  to  the  character  of  the  cause,  therefore,  inflammation  of 
the  pulp  may  be  divided  into  simple  and  infective.  It  may  be  that 
a  simple  inflammation  may  become  an  infective  one  owing  to  the 
association  of  bacteria — e.  g.,  the  pressure  of  a  foreign  body  may 
initiate  the  process  and  the  inflamed  pulp  become  a  soil  for  the 
propagation  of  the  bacteria  present. 

The  causes  of  pulpitis  may  be  grouped  under  three  headings: 

1.  Mechanical  or  physical  causes,  which  irritate  by  acting  as 
foreign  bodies,  or  by  pressure. 

2.  Chemical  causes,  which  act  as  irritants  by  either  producing  a 
chemical  destruction  of  pulp  tissue,  or  by  irritation  without  direct 
destruction.  In  the  former  case  the  dead  tissue  acts  as  a  foreign 
body  against  which  the  pulp  reacts  in  an  effort  to  cause  its  exfoliation 
or  absorption. 

3.  Parasitic  or  infective,  which  cause  the  phenomena  of  infective 
inflammation. 

Pulpitis  is  classified,  according  to  its  extent,  into  partial  and  com- 
plete; according  to  its  duration,  into  acute  and  chronic;  according  to 
its  infective  character,  into  purulent  and  non-purulent;  and,  again, 
according  to  the  character  of  the  degeneration  which  follows  upon 
the  inflammatory  process.    While  pathologically  these  conditions  may 


INFLAMMATION  OF   THE  PULP  459* 

be  clearly  dift'erentiated  from  one  another,  they  may  be  reduced  to 
more  compact  groii])in^s  accordino-  to  their  clinical  si<)nificance.  For 
exami)le,  acute  ])ul])itis  is  frequently  infective,  partial,  and  purulent; 
chronic  pulpitis  is  frequently'  non-infective,  extensive,  non-purulent, 
and  followed  by  secondary  degenerations.  It  is,  however,  often 
purulent,  and.  of  course,  infective. 

P'or  the  sake  of  convenience,  pulpitis  will  receive  a  clinical  division 
into  acute  and  chronic. 

Acute  Pulpitis. — By  acute  pulpitis  is  meant  that  form  of  inflam- 
mation of  the  pulp  which  runs  an  acti^'e  and  more  or  less  violent 
course  toward  pulp  death,  and  has  associated  with  it  acute  par- 
oxysms of  pain. 

Causes. — The  causes  of  acute  pulpitis  are  direct  and  indirect, 
intrinsic  and  extrinsic;  the  vast  majority  of  cases  being  due  to 
extrinsic  causes.  The  direct  intrinsic  causes  are  hemorrhagic  extrava- 
sations accompanying  venous  congestion,  or  thrombosis,  pulp 
nodules,  and  injury  of  the  vessels  at  the  apex  of  the  root.  The  direct 
extrinsic  causes  are,  perhaps,  invariably  associated  with  bacterial 
invasion,  a  possible  exception  being  the  pressure  of  filling  material 
upon  a  thin  elastic  lamina  of  softened  dentin,  covering  the  pulp. 
The  dental  pulp  is  intolerant  of  the  slightest  pressure,  and  rebels 
vigorously  when  subjected  to  compression.  Irritating  drugs  may 
also  act  as  irritants — e.  g.,  zinc  chlorid.  It  is  not  necessary  that  the 
pulp  should  be  exposed  to  permit  bacterial  infection,  and  extensive 
bacterial  invasion  is  probably  not  necessary  for  the  production  of 
pulpitis.  The  waste  products,  ptomains,  etc.,  of  bacteria  may  find 
their  way  to  the  surface  of  the  pulp  via  the  dentinal  tubuli,  through 
a  layer  of  softened  dentin,  and  excite  inflammation.  It  is  extremely 
probable  that  infection  of  the  pulp  is  an  invariable  consequence  of 
its  exposure;  but  as  a  pulp  may  be  exposed  without  subjective 
evidences  of  hyperemia  or  inflammation,  it  follows  that  infection 
does  not  necessarily  imply  inflammation,  though  the  absence  of 
acute  symptoms  may  be  accounted  for  by  the  escape  of  the  effusions 
into  the  cavity  of  decay.  The  presence  of  a  gross  irritant,  such  as  a 
mass  of  food  debris,  vegetable  seeds,  bread  crumbs,  etc.,  in  contact 
with  the  pulp  will  precipitate  an  acute  inflammation  in  which  bac- 
terial relations  must  be  taken  into  consideration. 

"The  severity  of  the  inflammation  does  not  appear  to  be  propor- 
tionate to  the  number  of  bacteria  present,  and  in  a  highly  inflamed 
pulp  we  may  be  able  to  find  but  few  bacteria.  .  .  .  The 
conclusion  seems  to  be  justified  that  the  inflammation  is  due 
to  the  combined  action  of  the  bacteria  and  their  products 
(acids,  ptomains,    etc.)   with    which    the    carious   dentin    becomes 


460 


DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 


impregnated."^  Goadby  has  shown  that  the  Streptococcus  brevis 
and  Bacillus  necrodentalis  may  pass  through  the  tubules  of 
even  secondary  dentin. 

Pulpitis  from  injur}-  of  the  vessels  at  the  apex  of  the  pulp  must 
be  mentioned.  It  may  occur  in  consequence  of  blows,  biting  upon 
hard  substances,  too  rapid  wedging,  the  rapid  movement  of  teeth  in 
orthodontia,^  and  the  progressive  loosening  of  teeth  in  pyorrhea 
alveolaris.  In  these  cases  the  pericementum  is  primarily  affected 
by  a  non-septic  pericementitis  which  extends  into  the  pulp,  producing 
a  venous  hyperemia  as  an  accompaniment,  and  the  teeth  are  tender 
upon  percussion.  Pain  in  the  teeth  upon  assuming  the  recumbent 
position,  dull,  heavy  uneasiness  about  the  jaws,  and  inordinate 
response  to  thermal  stimuli,  particularly  to  heat,  point  to  pulpitis. 

Fig.  401 


Inflammation  of  dental  pulp:  a,  a,  normal  cells;  6,  b,  b,  b,  inflammatory  elements;  c,  cells 
in  process  of  division  (^^  inch).     (Black.) 

Bacteria  from  an  abscess  on  an  adjoining  tooth  or  from  a  pyorrhea 
pocket  may  infect  a  pulp  from  the  apex.  This  will  cause  the  death 
of  a  single  pulp,  but  only  inflammation  in  a  multirooted  pulp. 
Infection  by  way  of  the  blood  stream  is  a  possibility.  The  pressure 
of  an  impacted  tooth  may  also  act  as  a  cause. 

Morbid  Anatomy  and  Pathology. — In  determining  the  existence  of 
pulpitis,  no  matter  what  the  symptoms  which  have  presented  or  the 
condition  as  to  exposure,  etc.,  the  microscopic  examination  of  sections 
of  the  affected  organ  constitutes  the  only  decisive  test ;  if  the  changes 


1  Miller:   Dental  Cosmos,  1894. 

2  Buckley,  through  a  circular  letter  to  orthodontists,  obtained  opinions  that  the  upper  centrals 
and  laterals  are  most  liable  owing  to  the  frequency  of  displacement,  character  of  movement 
prominence  of  location,  and  the  curve  of  lateral  roots.     Items  of  Interest,  December,  1910. 


INFLAMMATION  OF   THE  PULP 


401 


characteristic  of  inflammation  he  ahsent,  no  mutter  what  the  symp- 
toms, pulpitis  did  not  exist.  The  essential  feature  of  the  process  is 
emigration  of  the  white  blood  corpuscles  from  the  small  veins  into  the 


Fig.  402 


Interstitial  pulpitis  with  pulp  notlulc  in  sUu.     (V.  A.  Latham.) 


Minute  inflammatory  focu.s  within  the  tissues  of  the  pulp:  a,  a,  arterial  twngs;  6,  a  nerve  bundle; 
c,  collection  of  leukocytes.     (Black.) 


intercellular  matrix  of  the  pul]).  At  first  the  inflammatory  elements 
(leukocytes)  are  scattered  through  the  spaces  between  the  pulp  cells 
(Fig.  401);  at  a  later  stage  the  territory  is  occupied  by  round  indif- 


462        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF   THE  DENTAL  PULP 

ferent  cells  alone.  The  inflammation  may  be  widespread,  as  shown  in 
Fig.  402,  or  may  be  localized  to  some  portion  of  the  pulp,  as  one  horn 
of  a  pulp;  Black  noted  also  inflammatory  action  occurring  in  small 
islands  (Fig.  403). 

Swelling  of  the  pulp  (from  exudation)  cannot  occur  unless  there  be 
a  break  in  the  wall  of  the  pulp  chamber  through  which  additional 
space  can  be  gained.  Black  has  recorded  that  "he  found  beneath  the 
layer  of  odontoblasts  in  the  region  of  an  exposure  an  unmistakable 
deposit  of  inflammatory  lymph.  The  case  had  a  history  of  severe 
toothache  for  two  days,  two  weeks  previously.  The  pulp  exhibited 
evidences  of  previous  extravasations  of  blood  from  hyperemia." 

There  is  evidence  that  the  pulp  may  recover  from  attacks  of 
inflammation,  and  that  resolution  occurs.  In  some  cases,  as  shown 
under  the  head  of  calcareous  degeneration,  the  tissues  may  become 
infiltrated  with  calcic  material.  In  others,  chronic  degenerative 
changes — inflammatory  degeneration — may  supervene. 

Suppuration  of  the  pulp  is  a  common  accompaniment  of  pulp 
inflammation;  this,  being  necessarily  infective,  will  be  described 
separately. 

Gaskell^  has  reported  a  case  where  a  central  incisor  entirely  free 
from  caries  exhibited  on  its  palatal  aspect  a  pinkish  tinge,  which 
increased  in  depth  until  the  enamel  overlying  crushed  in,  revealing 
the  pulp  of  the  tooth  lying  inimediately  beneath;  there  had  been  a 
resorption  of  a  large  mass  of  the  dentin  lying  between  the  pulp  and 
the  enamel.  The  pulp  was  removed  and  the  tooth  filled.  No  history 
is  given  as  to  the  condition  of  the  root,  whether  resorption  had 
occurred  there  or  not.  Shortly  after,  the  adjoining  central  incisor 
exhibited  a  like  pink  coloration,  which  increased,  leading  to  the 
inference  that  resorption  was  in  progress  in  this  tooth  also.  At  the 
suggestion  of  E.  C.  Kirk  the  patient  received  continued  doses  of 
arsenic  iodid  and  the  compound  syrup  of  the  hypophosphites,  in  the 
hope  of  inducing  a  general  and  local  constructive  metamorphosis. 
This  treatment  was  followed  by  a  gradual  disappearance  of  the  pink 
coloration,  an  evidence  of  a  redeposition  of  dentin.  In  the  absence 
of  histological  data  it  is  impossible  to  state  just  what  was  the  nature 
of  the  repair  tissue  in  this  particular  case,  but  Miller^  has  shown 
that  the  pulp  may  take  up  a  resorptive  function  and  remove  dentin 
which  may  later  be  redeposited  as  anomalous  tissue.  The  new 
dentin  does  not  contain  tubules,  but  has  the  characteristics  'of 
cemental  tissue^  (osteodentin),  or  even  bone  with  Haversian  systems'* 

'  Proceedings  of  the  Academy  of  Stomatologj',  Philadelphia,  1S95. 

2  Dental  Cosmos,  August,  1901. 

3  Hopewell-Smith:   Histology  and  Pathohistology  of  the  Teeth.  *  Salter. 


INFLAMMATION  OF   THE   PULP 


463 


(Fig.  404).  Tliis  jirocess  has  its  analofi;iie  in  the  tusks  of  elej)hants 
and  also  in  the  pnxhiction  of  IIowshii)'s  hvciniit  in  the  resorption  of 
the  pericementum,  these  hicuntie  hiter  being  filled  up  with  cementum. 

There  have  been  cases  of  inflamed  pulp  in  teeth  decayed  while 
yet  impacted.  In  these  cases  there  is  usually  some  form  of  sinus 
connecting  the  tooth  with  the  mouth. 

Symptoms. — The  early  stage  of  inflammation  is  an  arterial  hyper- 
emia, and  as  the  leukocytes  collect  in  the  venules  a  venous  hyperemia 
is  established.  No  matter  how  far  the  area  of  stasis  extends,  beyond 
it  will  exist  an  area  of  arterial  hyperemia.  Owing  to  the  enclosing 
canal  walls  and  constricted  apex  a  general  venous  hyperemia  may  be 
established  which  causes  the  death  of  the  pulp. 

Fui.  404 


Resorption  of  the  walls  of  the  pulp  chamber  and  redeposition  of  new  calcific  matter:  a,  pulp 
chamber;  b,  c,  d,  portions  of  resorption  areas  not  refilled  and  walled  ofT  by  the  new  deposit-forming 
cavities  occupied  originally  by  the  pulp  tissue.     (Miller.) 


In  view  of  these  facts  it  is  not  surprising  that  the  symptoms  of  pulp 
inflammation  take  on  somewhat  the  characteristics  of  both  arterial 
and  venous  hyperemia.  The  diapedesis  of  leukocytes  and  exudation 
of  fluid  cause  the  phenomena  of  heavy,  boring  pain  and  a  feeling  of 
internal  pressure. 

The  pulp  ifriay  be  exposed  and  no  symptoms  be  present.  A  sudden 
pressure  of  food  or  toothpick,  suction  upon  the  pulp  or  the  contact 
of  cold  or  hot,  salt,  sweet,  or  acid  substances,  may  excite  an  attack 
of  throbbing  or  lancinating  pain.    This  may  be  localized  in  the  tooth 


464        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

or  may  be  reflected  to  other  teeth  or  the  parts  mentioned  under 
hyperemia. 

The  assumption  of  the  ■  recumbent  position  permits  an  increased 
flow  of  blood  into  the  paretic  vessels  of  the  pulp  and  increased  suffer- 
ing results  in  correspondence  with  the  law  that  inflamed  parts  are 
always  more  painful  in  the  dependent  position.  (See  Pathological 
First  Dentition.)  Indeed,  recumbency  is  sufficient  at  times  to  induce 
a  paroxysm  in  a  comparatively  quiet  but  inflamed  pulp.  Under  a 
capping  or  filling  pressing  on  the  pulp  or  thin  dentin  the  pain  may 
begin  as  a  slight  pain  and  gradually  increase  in  intensity,  or  it  may 
respond  as  a  sudden  agony,  beginning  even  some  time  after  the 
operation.  In  the  later  stage  of  pulp  inflammation  the  pain  is 
of  a  heavy,  boring,  continuous  character,  the  pericementum  becomes 
somewhat  hyperemic,  and  the  tooth  responds  to  tapping.  In  case  of 
a  highly  irritable  pulp,  however,  the  concussion  of  the  pulp  produced 
by  tapping  may  readily  cause  pain. 

In  pulpitis  the  pulp  responds  both  to  heat  and  cold,  but,  as  a  rule, 
more  to  the  former  than  to  the  latter.  There  have  been  many  cases 
of  reflex  neuroses  developed  by  inflamed  pulps,  reflex  pains  in  the  face, 
eye,  ear,  neck,  scalp,  chest,  arm,  heart,  etc.,  as  well  as  functional 
disorders  of  the  eye,  ear,  and  brain.  One  case  of  dementia  prsecox 
was  cured  by  removal  of  a  tooth  with  inflamed  exposed  pulp.-^ 

Diagnosis. — The  diagnosis  is  largely  inferential  and  made  by 
observation  of  the  symptoms  and  conditions  existing.  The  pulp 
may  be  exposed  or  closely  approached  by  caries,  or  the  pulp  may 
be  approximated  by  a  large  filling.  If  there  be  a  leak  about  the 
filling,  a  septic  fluid  or  actual  decay  beneath  the  flUing  may  be  the 
exciting  cause.  In  the  absence  of  evident  causes  such  sepsis  is  always 
to  have  consideration,  and,  if  necessary,  the  filling  must  be  removed 
and  tests  applied.  The  more  obscure  causes,  such  as  abscesses  upon 
adjoining  teeth,  infection  from  the  pericemental  tract  in  the  course 
of  pyorrhea,  looseness  of  teeth  or  traumatisms,  are  to  be  carefully 
considered.  If  the  tooth  involved  be  uncertain,  each  tooth  should 
"be  placed  under  rubber  dam  and  tested  thoroughly. 

Prognosis. — The  prognosis  is  always  bad  for  the  comfortable 
conservation  of  the  pulp,  and  it  should  be  removed  and  the  canal 
filled. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  pulpitis  involves  the  reduction  of  the 
amount  of  blood  in  the  vessels  of  the  pulp,  the  sterilization  of  the 
infected  area,  the  relief  from  the  pain,  and  the  removal  of  the  pulp. 
It  is  usual  to  excavate  the  cavity  of  decay  thoroughly  enough  to 

1  Upson:  Dental  Cosmos,  1910,  p.  529. 


INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  PULP  465 

remove  from  over  the  pulp  decayed  dentin  which  would  prevent 
the  action  of  remedies  or  act  as  an  irritant.  The  cavity  is  then 
washed  and  a  sedative  applied.  (See  p.  450.)  A  creamy  paste  of 
bicarbonate  of  soda  in  carbolic  acid  has  been  recommended.^  The 
addition  of  a  trifle  of  powdered  alum  to  any  of  the  sedatives  acts  as 
an  astringent  to  the  vessels.  During  the  half  hour  succeeding  the 
application  the  pulp  should  give  some  indication  of  relief.  If  it  be 
somewhat  decided,  a  portion  of  the  remedy  used  should,  if  possible, 
be  sealed  in  the  cavity  for  twenty-four  hours.  The  covering  may  be 
prepared  first  as  for  arsenic.  (See  Coverings  for  Arsenic.)  If  not 
possible  to  seal  it  in,  it  may  be  covered  with  cotton  saturated  with 
a  varnish  made  by  evaporating  tincture  of  benzoin.  This  varnish 
hardens  like  sandarac  varnish,  but,  unlike  it,  is  not  irritant.  Claims 
are  made  for  alcohol  used  as  for  pressure  anesthesia. 

If  after  the  first  half  hour  no  indication  of  relief  has  been  obtained, 
it  is  well  to  expose  the  pulp  and  to  relieve  the  engorged  vessels  by 
delicately  puncturing  it.  (See  Extirpation  of  Pulp.)  After  exposing 
the  pulp  it  will  perhaps  exude  a  bead  of  pus,  which  makes  the  diag- 
nosis one  of  pulp  suppuration.  After  free  bleeding,  which  may  be 
encouraged  by  means  of  warm  water,  the  sedatives  will  usually  act. 
It  may  be  necessary  at  times  to  employ  short  general  anesthesia 
(nitrous  oxid  gas,  etc.)  as  a  means  to  obtain  free  bloodletting.  Every- 
thing being  prepared,  the  patient  is  anesthetized  and  the  bulb  of  the 
pulp  cut  out,  or  in  a  single-rooted  tooth  the  entire  pulp  may  be  taken 
out.  At  times  cocain  pressure  anesthesia  is  effective  at  least  for  the 
removal  of  the  bulb  of  the  inflamed  pulp,  and  sometimes  of  the 
entire  pulp;  often,  however,  it  causes  too  much  pain. 

In  case  of  partial  extirpation,  not  only  is  free  bleeding  induced, 
but  the  diseased  pulp  tissue  is  largely  removed.  When  hemorrhage 
ceases  arsenic  may  be  applied,  or  pressure  anesthesia  attempted. 
If  the  hemorrhage  be  obstinate  the  application  of  powdered  thymol 
and  dried  alum  may  be  used.  (See  Venous  Hyperemia.)  When 
sedatives  are  used  upon  the  pulp,  counterirritants  applied  to  the 
gum  are  aids  of  great  value,  and  are  to  be  used  as  described  under 
Arterial  Hyperemia. 

Instead  of  these  the  principle  of  depletion  may  be  employed. 
Deep  cuts  may  be  made  with  a  sharp  bistoury  in  the  gum  overlying 
the  root  apex.  The  anastomosis  with  the  vessels  of  the  apical  tissue 
is  expected  to  cause  the  cuts  to  act  as  openings  made  in  veins  leading 
from  the  inflamed  pulp.  According  to  Nancrede,  depletion  on  the 
venous  side  of  an  inflamed  area  markedly  reduces  engorgement.    In 


1  Gerdtzen. 

30 


466        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

addition  to  these  measures  catharsis  is  a  valuable  means  of  derivation ; 
a  tablespoonful  of  sulphate  of  magnesia  is  to  be  dissolved  in  a  goblet 
of  water  and  taken  internally  at  least  a  half  hour  before  a  meal. 

If  the  pain  be  obdurate  and  its  return  feared,  two  |-grain  sulphate 
of  morphin  tablets  may  be  dispensed,  preferably  by  the  operator,  to 
be  taken  only  in  case  of  severe  pain  and  an  hour  apart.  Acetanilid 
and  phenacetin  are  also  useful. 

The  following  is  a  useful  anodyne  and  antineuralgic  prescription: 

I^ — Acetphenetidini  (phenacetin) , 

Acetanilidi         :      .      .      .      .    aa     gr.  xxx 

Quininse  sulphatis gr.  xv — M. 

Pone  in  capsulas  no.  vi. 

S. — One  morning  and  evening. 

(See  also  Treatment  of  Facial  Neuralgia.) 

HalP  has  suggested: 

Bf — Aspirin 5s3 

Codein gr.  iss 

M.  et.  ft.  chart  No.  vi. 

Sig. — One  every  half  hour  until  relieved. 

Quiet  of  the  pulp  must  be  secured  before  an  arsenical  application 
is  made,  or  the  latter  merely  increases  the  irritation  instead  of 
promptly  devitalizing.  Should  such  an  irritation  occur  or  be  feared, 
arsenic  may  be  sealed  in  an  opening  made  in  another  part  of  the 
tooth  (a  "pocket"^),  with  a  view  to  devitalizing  the  pulp  through 
an  avenue  of  healthy  pulp  tissue.  At  the  same  time  the  pulp  may 
be  quieted  by  sedative  applications  made  in  the  cavity  of  decay. 

Instead  of  drilling  a  special  pit,  the  arsenic  may  be  applied  at  a 
portion  of  healthy  dentin  in  the  cavity,  which  is  at  some  distance 
from  the  orifice  of  exposure;  over  the  latter  the  analgesic  may  be 
placed. 

SUPPURATION  OF  THE  PULP 

DefiniUon. — By  suppuration  of  the  dental  pulp  is  meant  a  forma- 
tion of  pus  on  its  surface  (ulceration)  or  in  its  substance  (abscess). 
It  occurs  both  as  an  acute  and  as  a  chronic  affection. 

Causes. — The  immediate  cause  of  suppuration  of  the  pulp  is  the 
ingress  of  pyogenic  organisms  to  the  pulp.  As  in  inflammation  of 
the  pulp,  while  usually  associated  with  direct  exposure  of  the  pulp, 
suppuration  may  occur  in  pulps  covered  by  softened  or  even  unsoft- 
ened  dentin. 

'  Dental  Cosmos,  1910,  p.  1085.  *  ^  Flagg. 


SUPPURATION  OF   THE  PULP 


467 


Fia.  405 


Arkovy^  first  observed  infection  of  the  pulp  while  still  co^•e^e(l  by 
a  layer  of  iinsoftened  dentin  (Fig.  405). 

Goadby  has  shown  that  microorgan- 
isms may  penetrate  even  secondary  den- 
tin, a  condition  not  infrequently  seen 
(Fig.  414). 

Miller  states  that  sections  of  the  over- 
lying dentin  in  a  case  of  suppuration  of 
the  pulp  showed  the  same  forms  of 
bacteria  as  were  found  in  the  pulp  itself. 

Bacteria  which  have  entered  the  body 
through  wounds,  etc.,  may  be  deposited 
in  the  pulp  as  well  as  in  any  other  part 
of  the  body,  wherever  there  may  be  a 

-  .  ,  .  __.,   .,  Invasion  of  pulp  by  micrococci. 

lessened  resistance  at  the  time.    While  (Arkovy.) 


Fig.  406 


A,  diagram  of  lower  molar  with  caries  at  a  which  exposes  the  pulp;  the  darkened  portion  at  6 
shows  the  extent  of  the  inflammation;  the  rest  of  the  organ  was  free  from  inflammatory  change. 
B,  illustration  of  the  inflamed  tissue,  showing  a  part  destroyed  by  suppuration  at  a;  the  odonto- 
blasts are  undermined  at  b;  the  bloodvessels  which  were  filled  with  blood  clot  in  the  section  are 
left  blank  here,  that  they  may  be  more  apparent.     (Black.) 

bacteria  may  thus  enter  from  the  circulation,  there  is  usually  abun- 
dant opportunity  for  their  entrance  from  the  mouth.     Suppuration 


1  Diagnostik  der  Zahnkrankheiten. 


468        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

of  the  pulp  is  a  not  infrequent  sequel  of  the  capping  of  pulps  which 
have  given  evidence  of  a  previous  hyperemia  or  inflammation. 

[Fig.  407 


Acufe  suppurative  pulpitis  in  the  coronal  portion;  /,  intensely  inflamed  horn;  A,  abscess;  V, 
bloodvessels  engorged  with  blood;  S,  superficially  inflamed  horn;  A'^,  nest  of  inflammation.  X  10. 
(Bodecker.) 


Morbid  Anatomy  and  Pathology. — Anatomically  pulp  suppuration 
(purulent  or  pyogenic  pulpitis)  is  of  two  general  varieties:  one 
begins  upon  or  close  to  the  surface  of  an  exposed  pulp,  and  gradually 
destroys   the   organ   through   a   process   of   progressive   ulceration 


SUPPURATION  OF  THE  PULP 


469 


(Fig.  406);  the  second,  that  confined  in  the  substance  of  the  pulp, 
causes  the  gradual  destruction  of  a  i)art  of  the  pulp  through  the 
formation  of  circumscribed  abscesses  (Fig.  407). 

Ulceration  of  the  Pulp. — Of  these  two  forms,  ulceration  is  the 
more  common.  The  capillaries  (Fig.  406)  are  blocked  with  coagu- 
lated blood  (they  are  left  open  in  the  illustration  to  clearly  mark 
their  position);  the  intercapillary  meshwork  is  occupied  by  inflam- 
matory exudation ;  the  surface  of  the  pulp  is  eroded  and  covered  with 
pus  corpuscles;  the  ulcerative  process  is  undermining  the  layer  of 
odontoblasts.  The  suppurative  process  penetrates  the  body  of  the 
pulp,  following  the  direction  of  its  veins  and  hollowing  out  the  organ 


Fig.  408 


FiQ.  409 


Fig.  410 


Fig.  411 


Fig.  412 


/\  ■ 


/ 


--> 


Microorganisms  found  in  cultures  from  gangrenous  pulp.     (Miller.) 


into  a  deep  cavern.  Black  regards  the  persistence  of  the  layer  of 
odontoblasts  as  indicating  an  inferior  vitality,  as  it  shows  they  are 
less  susceptible  of  change  of  form  than  the  other  cells  of  the  organ. 

The  process  of  ulceration  may  continue  for  weeks  or  months  until 
the  entire  organ  has  been  destroyed  molecularly.  The  necrotic  por- 
tions undergo  putrefactive  decomposition,  probably  passing  through 
the  same  stages  that  any  albuminous  substance  passes  in  its  serial 
decomposition,  into  the  end-products  —  ammonia,  carbon  dioxid, 
hydrogen  sulphid,  and  water. 

"Very  interesting  and  instructive  results  were  obtained  by  exam- 
ining the  material  from  different  parts  of  the  same  tooth.  In  the  case 
illustrated  in  Fig.  408  the  pulp  chamber  at  a  was  wide  open  and 


470        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

filled  with  food  particles,  which  had  a  foul,  half-putrid  odor;  at  b  the 
pulp  was  putrid  and  foul-smelling;  at  c  there  was  a  small  abscess, 
filled  with  pure  white  pus,  while  the  tissue  between  this  point  and 
the  apex  of  the  root  was  highly  inflamed  and  bright  red.  Material 
from  the  pulp  chamber  (Fig.  408,  a)  contained  the  forms  shown  in 
Fig.  409;  material  from  point  b  those  shown  in  Fig.  410,  and  from 
the  point  c  those  shown  in  Fig.  411.  We  perceive  a  gradual  dimin- 
ution of  the  large  cocci,  and  the  appearance  of  small,  delicate  cocci 
and  diplococci."  (Miller.^)  The  editor  has  observed  cases  of  vital 
but  finally  ulcerated  pulps  under  canal  fillings.  In  one  case  twelve 
years  had  elapsed  between  the  partial  canal  filling  and  the  more 
recent  observation. 

Symptoms. — If  the  cavity  of  decay  be  open  the  pus  and  serous 
exudate  may  freely  escape,  so  that  the  symptoms  may  not  exceed  a 
dull,  gnawing  pain,  which  is  usually  reflex  in  character. 

As  a  rule,  the  response  to  cold  will  be  much  delayed  or  even  absent. 
Intense  pain  may  exist  when  the  pus  cannot  find  exit  owing  to  food 
debris  being  massed  in  the  pulp  chamber,  or  owing  to  the  presence 
of  a  filling  or  mass  of  secondary  dentin.  The  case  then  resembles 
and  practically  becomes  one  of  abscess  of  the  pulp. 

The  chief  diagnostic  feature  of  pulp  ulceration  is  the  presence 
of  the  subacute  inflammatory  symptoms  described  above  and  the 
presence  of  a  pulp  partially  removed  by  decomposition  of  its  upper 
portion. 

Thus  if  the  pulp  chamber  be  open  at  one  horn,  and  a  probe  may 
be  passed  into  it  for  a  short  distance  until  it  comes  into  contact  with 
an  irritable  portion  of  pulp,  and  when  withdrawn  have  the  odor  of 
putrefaction,  the  diagnosis  is  clear — loss  of  pulp  substance  by  putre- 
factive changes,  presumably  by  suppuration.  In  some  teeth  it  may 
be  by  partial  gangrene.  Many  phases  of  this  condition  may  be  seen; 
thus  in  an  extreme  case  one  canal  of  a  lower  molar  contained  a  highly 
irritable  vital  filament  of  pulp  extending  but  one-quarter  inch  from 
the  apical  foramen;  a  second  canal  was  entirely  occupied  by  a  per- 
fectly vital  but  ulcerating  filament;  the  third  canal  contained  an 
entirely  dead  pulp.  The  bulb  of  the  pulp  had  disappeared,  doubtless 
by  suppuration. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  pulp  ulceration  in  its  early  stages 
involves  the  opening  of  the  orifice  of  exposure,  the  sterilization  of 
the  superfices  of  the  pulp,  and  pulp  removal. 

Superficial  sterilization  may  be  accomplished  by  removing  the 
pus  or  putrefactive  material  present  by  means  of  warm  3  per  cent. 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1894. 


SUPPURATION  OF   THE  PULP  471 

hydrogen  dioxid.  The  saturated  solutions  of  thymol  in  alcohol  or 
menthol  in  chloroform,  or  2  per  cent,  formaldehyd  or  diluted  formo- 
cresol  may  be  sealed  in  position  against  the  pulp  for  twenty-four 
hours  as  an  antiseptic.  The  application  of  arsenic  may  then  be 
safely  made.  In  favorable  cases  the  bulb  of  the  pulp,  or  even 
the  entire  pulp,  may  be  removed  at  the  first  or  second  sitting  by 
means  of  cautiously  apphed  cocain  pressure  anesthesia.  In  some 
cases,  however,  the  patient  will  rebel. 

When  a  part  of  the  canal  filaments  alone  remain,  after  syringing 
to  remove  pus,  the  pressure  anesthesia  may  be  resorted  to.  A  long 
thread  of  cotton  is  saturated  with  carbolic  acid  or  carbolic  acid 
and  cocain,  and  gently  packed  into  the  canal  against  the  pulp  fila- 
ment. Pressure  with  vulcanizable  rubber  is  now  produced,  and  after 
a  few  minutes  the  pulp  will  be  sterilized  and  anesthetized  sufficiently 
for  removal.  It  is  better  to  treat  each  canal  separately  as  a  general 
pressure  will  probably  fail.  Puncturing  is  also  useful  at  times  (which 
see).  Arsenic  may  be  cautiously  placed  on  cotton  half-way  up  a 
canal  against  such  a  pulp  filament.  Another  method  consists  of 
packing  a  thread  of  cotton  dipped  in  carbolic  acid  tightly  against 
the  filament,  in  which  thrombosis  is  thus  induced. 

Abscess  of  the  Pulp. — Abscess  of  the  pulp  is  usually  situated  near 
the  point  of  exposure  of  the  organ.  It  may  be  confined  to  one  horn 
of  the  pulp,  or  may  involve  nearly  the  entire  substance  of  the  pulp, 
the  peripheral  tissue  of  the  pulp  being  unbroken.  Abscess  may  exist 
at  some  distance  beneath  the  surface  of  the  pulp,  and  the  latter  be 
still  covered  with  a  layer  of  dentin.  Burchard  once  uncovered  the 
horn  of  a  molar  pulp  which  was  covered  by  a  lamina  of  hard  dentin, 
and  no  fluid  appeared;  but  upon  passing  a  sharp  probe  into  the  white 
area  of  exposure  for  over  one-eighth  of  an  inch  or  more  there  was  a 
free  flow  of  pus  which  quickly  filled  the  larger  carious  cavity.  A  pulp 
removed  entire  from  a  tooth,  and  which  was  yellowish  white  in  color 
and  unbroken,  showed  upon  section  its  interior  hollowed  out  into  an 
enormous  abscess  cavity  (Fig.  413).  The  bloodvessels  were  blocked; 
the  peripheral  tissues  were  unaltered;  between  the  odontoblasts  and 
the  abscess  cavity,  the  latter  lined  with  pus  corpuscles,  evidences  of 
inflammation  were  plenty.  Black  found  that  the  odontoblasts 
retained  their  form  after  neighboring  cells  of  the  pulp  had  been 
destroyed. 

Miller's^  researches  show  a  preponderance  of  cocci  and  micrococci 
in  cases  of  enclosed  abscess;  cocci  and  diplococci  were  of  constant 
occurrence.    Many  of  the  forms,  both  cocci  and  bacilli,  were  cultivable 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1894. 


472         DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

upon  gelatin  and  agar-agar.  Some  of  them,  cocci  and  bacilli,  brought 
about  the  liquefaction  of  gelatin;  others  did  not.  So  that  it  must  be 
inferred  that  infective  inflammation  and  necrosis  of  the  pulp  may 
occur  without  suppuration.  (See  Gangrene  of  the  Pulp.)  In  some 
instances  streptococci  were  found.  In  the  freely  exposed  pulps 
varieties  of  organisms  were  found  which  would  render  clear  the 
possibility  of  a  general  infection  by  way  of  the  dental  pulp. 

Symptoms. — The  usual  symptoms  are  as  follows:  In  a  tooth  con- 
taining an  enormous  filling,  one  in  which  the  pulp  has  been  exposed, 
or  in  a  tooth  having  a  large  carious  cavity,  the  patient  gives  a  history 
of  discomfort  or  decided  pain,  appearing  at  intervals,  sometimes 

Fig.  413 


Transverse  section  of  inferior  bicuspid  pulp,  one-half  diagrammatic:  a,  abscess  cavity;  6,  embryonic 
cells  at  the  periphery  of  the  abscess  cavity;  c,  occluded  bloodvessels.    (Burchard.) 


appearing  and  disappearing  suddenly,  the  existing  condition  having 
been  ushered  in  by  dull,  gnawing  pain,  which  is  usually  not  positively 
located,  although  it  may  be.  The  pain  grows  in  intensity,  and,  in 
contradistinction  to  the  pulp  conditions  previously  described,  pain 
is  relieved  instead  of  increased  by  applications  of  cold.  It  may  be, 
however,  that  the  prolonged  contact  of  iced  water  may  induce  a 
response.  The  response  to  heat  is  marked,  so  that  a  mouthful  of  hot 
coffee  or  even  the  warmth  of  the  tongue  may  precipitate  an  attack 
of  severe  and  continued  pain.  Pain  produced  upon  passing  from  a 
warm  to  a  cold  atmosphere,  and  vice  versa,  is  also  symptomatic.  If 
the  pulp  be  freely  exposed  and  pricked  with  a  sharp  instrument,  a 
flow  of  pus  follows  in  many  cases,  and  the  relief  is  almost  immediate. 


SUPPURATION  OF   THE  PULP 


473 


Fig.  414 


III  the  earlier  stages  a  period  of  throbbing  pain  may  follow  evacuation 
of  the  pus. 

In  other  cases  the  response  to  heat  may  decrease  until  it  is  almost 
absent,  and  the  case  only  be  seen  when  evidences  of  the  action  of 
bacterial  products  upon  the  pericementum  appear,  which  they 
usually  do  in  the  later  stages  of  pulp  suppuration,  when  the  tooth 
becomes  loose,  extruded,  and  tender  upon  percussion. 

The  symptoms  of  pericemental  disturbance  may  simulate  those  of 
incipient,  acute,  apical  abscess,  even  though  a  quarter  of  an  inch  or 
more  of  apical  pulp  tissue  exist  in  a  vital  though  highly  inflamed 
condition.  Upon  clinical  evidence  it  is  assumed  that  the  inflammation 
of  the  pulp  produces  inflammation  of  the  apical  tissue  (Fig.  414), 
In  one  case  the  gum  and  contiguous  parts  about  an  upper  molar 
were  swollen,  apical  abscess  diag- 
nosticated, and  a  free  flow  of  pus 
followed  by  blood  obtained  upon 
opening  the  crown.  An  examina- 
tion made  twenty-four  hours  later, 
after  symptoms  had  subsided,  de- 
monstrated all  three  pulp  filaments 
to  be  alive  when  a  j^ost  hoc  diagnosis 
of  extensive  abscess  of  the  pulp  was 
made.  If  untreated,  symptoms  of 
pulp  and  pericemental  disturbance 
may  disappear  for  weeks  or  months; 
but  if  the  parts  be  not  perfectly 
sterilized  and  reinfection  prevented, 
it  is  only  a  question  of  time  when 
septic  pericementitis  will  arise. 

Diagnosis. — The  most  valuable  diagnostic  sign  is  the  peculiar 
reaction  to  thermal  stimuli — the  decreasing,  then  absent  response 
to  cold,  and  the  increasing  reaction  to  applications  of  heat.  This 
reaction,  together  with  the  continued  gnawing  and  full  sensation 
in  the  tooth,  usually  affords  a  diagnosis  which  is  confirmed  by 
evacuating  pus  from  the  pulp,  which  exudes  usually  as  a  minute 
bead  followed  by  blood,  although  the  reverse  order  may  obtain. 

In  cases  where  several  teeth  are  involved  in  the  diagnosis,  differ- 
entiation is  made  by  isolation  of  each  tooth  by  means  of  a  small 
square  of  rubber  dam.  The  thermal  test  is  then  applied.  The  pres- 
ence of  a  quantity  of  secondary  dentin  will  confuse  by  causing  dulness 
of  response.  In  such  case  the  electric  test  should  be  resorted  to. 
(See  Dry  Gangrene.)  In  some  cases  secondary  dentin  will  have 
formed  in  the  pulp  cavity  and  the  abscess  may  be  found  in  one  of 


Abscess  of  the  pulp  after  formation  of 
a  large  amount  of  secondary  dentin, 
dividing  the  pulp  into  two  portions:  S  D, 
secondary  dentin;  V  P,  abscess  or  confined 
pus;  I,  area  of  apical  inflammation. 
(Diagrammatic.)  (After  case  in  the 
mouth.) 


474 


DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF   THE  DENTAL  PULP 


the  filaments,  while  the  other  will  be  apparently  healthy.    Fig.  414 
is  a  diagram  of  a  number  of  cases  seen  in  practice. 


Fig.  415 


Chronic  suppurative  pulpitis  terminatng  in  calcification  of  the  pus  and  atrophy  of  the  pulp: 
A',  larger  abscess,  filled  with  calcified  pus;  A^,  abscess  at  the  periphery  of  the  pulp;  A^,  A^,  small 
longitudinal  abscesses,  all  calcified;  N,  calcified  nerve  bundle;  C,  C,  calcareous  depositions  in  the 
fibrous  pulp  tissue;  P,  P,  pigment  clusters  from  pre^'ious  hemorrhage.     X  10.     (Bodecker). 


Prognosis. — General  experience  regards  ulceration  and  abscess  of 
the  pulp  as  precursors  of  the  death  of  the  organ.  Usually  this  is 
by  progressive  suppuration.  It  is  undoubtedly  true,  however,  that 
attempts  at  circumvallation  of  the  dead  tissue  are  made  in  some 
cases    (Fig.   415).     The   pus   cells   undergo   degeneration   and   the 


CHRONIC  INFLAMMATION  OF   THE  PULP  475 

abscess  site  may  be  the  seat  of  calcareous  deposits.  Even  in  these 
cases  death  is  delayed,  not  averted.  The  remainder  of  the  pulp 
undergoes  atrophic  changes,  and  commonly  suppuration  reappears. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  the  case  consists  in  relieving  the 
existing  pain,  completing  the  devitalization  of  the  pulp,  and  removing 
it  in  such  a  manner  that  no  organisms  or  dead  matter  are  carried 
beyond  the  apex  of  the  root. 

To  secure  relief,  evacuation  of  the  pus  is  imperatively  necessary. 
The  organ  is  freely  exposed,  exercising  no  pressure  in  gaining  free 
access  to  it.  If  pus  does  not  flow  upon  exposure  of  the  surface  of  the 
pulp,  a  sharp,  slender,  sterilized  probe  is  quickly  passed  into  the 
substance  of  the  pulp,  when,  if  pus  be  present,  it  vnW  usually  escape 
freely  through  the  opening  thus  made  and  be  followed  by  blood. 

If  the  pus  formation  be  limited  and  circumscribed,  throbbing 
pain  may  follow,  which  promptly  quiets  under  an  application  of 
cocain  in  glycerin  or  other  sedative.  The  application  is  not  made 
until  the  pus  flow  ceases.  A  pellet  of  cotton  wet  with  a  1  per  cent, 
solution  of  formalin,  or  a  saturated  solution  of  thymol  in  alcohol 
or  other  antiseptic  sedative,  is  laid  upon  the  pulp  and  the  cavity  is 
sealed  for  twenty-four  hours  (never  longer),  and  then  an  arsenical 
application  is  made.  Should  the  exposed  portion  of  the  pulp  be 
insensitive  it  is  cut  away  until  access  is  had  to  the  vital  portion, 
where  the  arsenic  is  to  be  applied.  The  pulp  may  sometimes  be 
anesthetized  by  cocain  for  removal.  The  rubber  dam  need  not 
necessarily  be  applied  for  the  treatment  preliminary  to  devitalization, 
but  the  pulp  should  be  kept  under  the  influence  of  antiseptics. 


CHRONIC  INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  PULP 

In  cases  in  which  the  resistive  force  of  the  pulp  is  great  and  the 
causes  of  less  violent  nature  or  less  violent  in  action,  the  inflammation 
may  be  of  low  grade  and  continue  for  some  time.  Pulp  ulceration 
may  pursue  a  chronic  course,  as  has  already  been  described.  Abscess 
of  the  pulp  may  also  become  chronic,  and  the  pulp  may  even  encap- 
sule  the  pus  area,  and,  the  bacteria  dying,  the  abscess  area  may 
become  the  seat  of  calcareous  deposits. 

Sclerosis  of  the  Pulp. — Inflammation  of  a  low  grade  may  persist 
in  the  pulp  for  long  periods,  giving  rise  to  an  increase  of  its  fibrous 
tissue  with  atrophy  of  the  cellular  elements,  producing  a  condition 
found  in  chronic  interstitial  inflammation  in  some  other  tissues — a 
sclerosis.  Instead  of  the  usual  distribution  of  myxomatous  tissue, 
bands  and  bundles  of  fibrous  tissue  appear.     The  pulp  appears 


476        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF   THE  DENTAL  PULP 

shrunken  and  stiff,  bloodvessels  are  contracted  and  sclerotic,  and 
the  nerve  fibers  have  undergone  partial  or  complete  atrophy  and 
degeneration  (Figs.  416  and  417). 

Fig.  416 


Chronic  inflammation  of  the  pulp,  areolation,  and  degeneration.    (Black.) 

Black  found  that  in  the  late  stages  of  sclerotic  atroph}^  areolae 
developed  in  the  bundles  of  connective  tissue,  the  inflammatory 


Fig.  417 


Pulpitis  arteriosclerosi.s;  nerve  degeneration.     (V.  A.  Latham.) 

elements  having  disappeared  and  the  areolae  being  occupied  by 
fluid.  Arkovy  describes  the  condition  as  reticular  atroph}^  of  the 
pulp  (P'ig.  416). 


CHRONIC  INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  PULP 


477 


The  condition  would  point,  as  suggested  by  Black,  to  venous 
hyperemia  as  the  cause  of  the  edema  rather  than  inflammation; 
but  the  evidences  of  former  chronic  inflammation  in  the  existence 
of  the  bundles  of  reticulated  tissue  show  this  to  have  been  the  essen- 
tial condition.  The  observations  of  the -same  writer  indicate  that 
atrophy  of  the  odontoblasts  is  a  usual  accompaniment  of  all  of  the 
chronic  pulp  aft'ections. 

Fig.  418 


■■^^fe- 


"■^?^:^' 


A,  a  first  lower  molar  with  a  cavity  at  a  completely  filled  by  an  hypertrophy  of  the  pulp,  which 
has  grown  out  through  the  orifice,  exposing  the  pulp  at  h.  B,  a  field  illustrating  the  tissue  of  the 
growth,  which  is  composed  almost  entirely  of  granulation  tissue  of  a  very  primitive  type,  a,  a 
covering  of  epithehum  presenting  papillae;  6,  epithelium  apparently  without  papillse.     (Black.) 


Sclerotic  and  other  chronic  degenerations  of  the  pulp  usually 
present  the  history  of  one  or  more  attacks  of  pulpitis  in  the  past, 
with  more  or  less  continuous  uneasiness  extending  over  a  long 
period.  The  response  of  the  pulp  to  all  tests  becomes  diminished 
and  dull. 

Treatment. — Such  pulps  are  to  be  devitalized  and  removed. 

Chronic  Hyperplastic  (Hypertrophic)  Pulpitis. — When  the  pulp 
is  exposed  over  a  wide  area,  long-continued  chronic  inflammation 
may  lead  to  an  enlargement  of  the  organ  w4th  a  protrusion  of  an 
altered  pulp  mass  through  the  orifice  of  exposure,  producing  the 
condition   known   clinically   as  fungous  pulp.     When  the  growth 


478        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

extends  bej'ond  the  boundaries  of  the  orifice  and  then  increases  in 
bulk  it  forms  a  pedunculated  mass  to  which  the  term  polypus  of  the 
pulp  has_been  applied. 

Fig.  419 


Hyperplastic  myxomatous  pulp,  which  filled  a  carious  cavity:  M,  lobules  made  up  of  papillae 
of  a  myxomatous  structure,  rich  in  capillary  and  venous  bloodvessels;  G,  calcareous  globule;  E, 
epithelial  cover  of  papillae.     X  10.     (Bodecker.) 


Morbid  Anatomy  and  Pathology. — The  growth  has  its  origin  in  a 
chronic  inflammation  of  the  body  of  the  pulp;  the  organ  swells,  and 
contact  with  the  sharp  edges  of  the  orifice  of  exposure  excites  a 
continued  irritation,  leading  to  further  proliferation  of  the  cells  of 
the  inflamed  part,  so  that  a  large  mass  of  embryonic  tissue  is  formed 
(Fig.  418),  termed  by  Black  granulation  tissue  of  a  low  type.  As  in 
the  granulation  tissue  of  repair,  bloodvessels  grow  into  this  mass, 
so  that  it  may  bleed  at  a  slight  touch.  Black  noted  in  his  case 
illustrated  a  covering  of  squamous  epithelium  upon  the  periphery 


CHRONIC  INFLAMMATION  OF   THE  PULP 


479 


of  the  growth,  which  might  he  interpreted  as  the  transformation  of 
mesoblastic  into  epiblastic  tissue,  l)ut  the  correct  explanation  beyond 
doubt  is  that  advanced  by  the  same  author,  that  the  epitheHum  is 
transplanted  from  the  gums,  and  grows  after  the  manner  of  a  skin 
graft.  The  growth  does  not  contain  nerves.  The  cavity  in  which  it 
lies  is  often  fairly  free  from  decalcified  dentin,  the  walls  appearing  as 
though  subjected  to  an  absorbent  action. 


Fig.  420 


Acute  pulpitis:  S,  secondary  dentin;  B,  bay-like  excavations  filled  with  medullarj'  or  inflam- 
matory corpuscles;  V,  transverse  section  of  a  bloodvessel;  M,  multinuclear  body.  X  300. 
(Bodecker.) 


These  growths  may  undergo  further  changes;  higher  organization 
of  the  granulation  tissue  occurs  and  fibrous  tissue  is  formed;  the  cells 
may  undergo  degenerations,  first  granular,  then  fatty,  and  suppu- 
ration and  gangrene  may  occur.  Tomes^  records  a  case  where 
calcification  of  an  hypertrophied  section  of  a  pulp  occurred;  but  as 
the  case  was  due  to  traumatism  (fracture  of  a  tooth),  difterent  vital 
conditions  existed  from  those  in  the  cases  under  discussion.  Actual 
calcification  of  the  mass  is  scarcely  possible,  although  calcareous 
degeneration  may  occur  within  the  fungous  mass  (Fig.  419). 

While  the  growth  occupies  a  cavity  of  decay,  it  seems  at  times  to 
have  acted  upon  the  carious  dentin  so  as  to  remove  it  by  absorption, 
leaving  the  cavity  more  or  less  clean. 

'  Dental  Surgery,  third  edition. 


480 


DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF   THE  DENTAL  PULP 


Resorption  of  the  walls  of  the  pulp  chamber  may  occur  as  an 
accompaniment  of  chronic  pulpitis.  What  appears  to  be  an  idio- 
pathic dentin  resorption  is  described  on  p.  462,  Black  records  a 
case  where,  after  pulp  capping  in  a  lower  molar  and  the  insertion 
of  a  large  gold  filling,  the  tooth  was  examined  at  the  end  of  ten  years; 
for  two  or  three  years  the  pulp  had  given  evidences  of  irritability, 
and  when  the  pulp  was  removed  the  pulp  chamber  was  found  enor- 
mously enlarged  and  opening  into  the  pericementum  between  the 


Fig.  421 


Fig.  422 


Fig.  423 


Fig.  424 


Hypertrophy  of  pulps.    (Garretson.) 

roots  of  the  teeth.  Fig.  420  exhibits  resorption  of  previously  formed 
secondary  dentin  with  the  probable  agency  through  which  the 
resorption  is  brought  about.  The  area  of  resorption  is  invaded  by 
numerous  multinucleated  cells,  which  are  evidently  performing  the 
function  of  odontoclasts. 

As  shown  by  Miller,  Hopewell-Smith,  and  others,  a  reconstructive 
change  may  occur  and  adventitious  dentin  be  redeposited  in  the 
area  of  resorption  (Fig.  404). 


Fig.  425 


Fig.  426 


Hypertrophy  of  the  gum.     (Garretson.)        Hypertrophy  of  the  pericementum.     (Garretson.) 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  chronic  pulp  inflammations  and 
degenerations  are  usually  those  of  long-continued  discomfort,  with 
reflex  pains,  which  rarely  persist  into  the  latest  stages  of  degeneration. 
The  response  to  heat  and  cold,  present  at  first,  declines  until  the 
pulp  scarcely  reacts,  and  then  but  slowly. 

No  nerve  fibers  develop  in  the  hypertrophic  pulp  tissue,  so  that 
the  newgrowth  has  no  sensitivity  in  itself,  although  pressure  upon  it 
may  cause  sharp  pain  through  the  still  vital  pulp  nerves  themselves. 


CHRONIC  INFLAMMATION  OF  THE  PULP  481 

Four  or  five  of  these  hypertrophies  may  exist  in  a  mouth,  filHng 
whole  cavities  of  decay,  the  surrounding  tooth  structure  being  in 
various  stages  of  disintegration.  They  seem  to  be  comparatively 
insensitive  to  mastication  (Fig.  422). 

Hypertrophy  of  the  pulp  also  may  be  associated  with  pulp  ulcera- 
tion, the  growth  arising  from  one  canal  of  a  tooth. 

Regeneration  of  an  extirpated  pulp  has  been  claimed,  but  I  have 
never  seen  any  cases  that  were  not  referable  to  the  above  form  of 
hypertrophy,  or  to  a  fungoid  growth  from  the  pericementum. 

Diagnosis. — The  only  condition  with  which  hypertrophic  pulp  may 
be  confounded  is  a  pedunculated  growth  of  gum  tissue  through  a 
cavity  at  the  neck  of  a  tooth  beneath  the  gum  margin  or  through 
a  perforation  either  accidental  or  by  caries  (Fig.  426).  It  is  impor- 
tant to  differentiate  between  these  conditions,  because,  if  an  appli- 
cation of  arsenical  paste  be  made  to  a  fungous  gum,  the  destruction 
of  tissue  may  extend  into  the  sound  pericementum.  The  physical 
appearances  of  the  two  are  alike:  they  both  bleed  freely  and  have 
about  the  same  degree  of  sensitivity. 

Histological  examination  of  this  class  of  hypertrophy  of  the  gums, 
conducted  by  Dr.  Luigi  Ancone,^  of  Italy,  demonstrated  that  the 
growth  is  a  simple  exaggeration  of  the  normal  elements  of  the  part. 

If  the  tumor  be  central  to  the  tooth  tissue  and  the  latter  not 
decayed  out  to  very  thin  walls,  it  may  be  at  times  laid  aside  by  means 
of  a  blunt  instrument  and  be  seen  to  have  its  origin  from  an  orifice  of 
exposure  (Fig.  421).  As  a  rule,  a  hyperplastic  pericementum  Avill 
be  found  to  have  its  attachment  much  lower  or  more  lateral  than 
a  hyperplastic  pulp,  and  the  pulp  cavity  be  seen  to  have  been  en- 
larged by  caries,  even  more  than  shown  in  Fig.  346.  It  is  then  fairly 
inferred  to  be  a  gum  mass,  especially  if  the  tooth  has  never  been 
operated  upon.  The  diagnosis  may  be  a  doubtful  one,  in  which  case 
the  rubber  dam  is  to  be  applied,  the  polypus  frozen  by  means  of  a 
spray  of  ethyl  or  methyl  chlorid,  and  the  mass  removed  with  a  sharp 
blade  passed  across  its  peduncle. 

The  source  of  the  tumor  may  then  be  usually  clearly  seen.  As  an 
alternative  proceeding  the  tissue  may  be  thoroughly  saturated  with  a 
strong  solution  of  trichloracetic  acid  and  then  ablated.  If  any  fur- 
ther doubt  exist,  the  pulp  is  to  be  sterilized  with  hydrogen  dioxid,  etc., 
and  a  pellet  of  cotton  saturated  with  oil  of  cloves,  carbolic  acid,  or 
dental  tincture  of  iodin  is  laid  upon  it,  and  over  this  temporary  stop- 
ping is  firmly  packed.  By  this  means  the  growth  may  be  pressed 
away  until  it  is  seen  to  arise  from  either  a  pulp  chamber  or  a  perfora- 


'  Abstract  from  I'Odontologia,  by  Dr.  W,  Dunn,  in  International  Dental  Journal,  1899. 

31 


482        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

tion  made  by  decay  or  accidental  excavation  into  the  pericemental 
tract. 

Pressure  anesthesia  may  be  resorted  to  partly  as  a  diagnostic 
measure.  In  such  case  no  danger  exists  beyond  the  possible  forcing 
of  cocain  into  the  gum  tissue.    Nervocidin  should  be  useful  in  cases 

Fig.  427  ■ 


H,  henlorrhagic  infarct;  R,  rupture  of  bloodvessel;  D,  dentin;  O,  vacuolated  odontoblasts; 
F,  early  fibrosis  of  pulp.     X  250.     (Hopewell-Smith.) 


of  doubt.  Skiagraphy  should  afford  a  diagnosis.  Hemorrhage  may 
be  checked  with  alum  and  thymol  in  powder  or  solution,  or  by  the 
use  of  trichloracetic  acid,  silver  nitrate,  or  zinc  chlorid  solution. 

Treatment. — If  the  case  be  one  of  pulp  hypertrophy,  arsenic  may 
be  applied  or  pressure  anesthesia  attempted  for  pulp  removal. 

Crystals  of  iodin  have  been  used  with  satisfaction  in  combination 


CHRONIC  INFLAMMATION  OF   THE  PULP 


483 


with  pressure  for  pulp  devitalization.'  If  a  perforation  exist,  it  is  to 
be  treated  by  sealing  the  orifice  with  gutta-i)ercha,  copper  amalgam, 
or  oxyphusphate  of  copper  cement.    (See  p.  4(37.) 


Fig.  428 


DO 


DO 


Horizontal  section  of  fibroid  degeneration  of  the  pulp  in  situ.  Prepared  by  Mr.  Hopewell-Smith's 
process:  D,  deeply  stained  dentin;  .S,  large  areolar  spaces;  DO,  degenerate  odontoblasts;  P,  fibroid 
tissue  of  pulp.     X  45.     (Hopewell-Smith.) 


'  Truman. 


484        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

Infarction  of  the  Pulp. — The  production  of  infarction  may  result 
as  described  under  Fibroid  Degeneration,  and  as  described  consists 
of  minute  circumscribed  hemorrhages  from  end  arteries  into  the  pulp 
tissue.  This  differs  somewhat  from  a  true  infarction.  (See  p.  113, 
and  Fig.  427.) 

Fibroid  Degeneration  of  the  Pulp. — Apart  from  the  degenerations 
due  to  inflammatory  conditions,  a  form  of  degeneration  occurs  "as  a 
natural  old-age  termination  of  the  life  of  a  healthy  pulp,"  and  similar 
to   senile  changes   occurring  in  the  pericementum.      (See  Fibroid 

Fig.  429 


Fibroid  degeneration  of  the  pulp:  D,  dentin  with  tubules;  FO,  fibroid  odontoblasts; 
P,  atrophied  pulp  tissue. 


Degeneration  of  Pericementum.)  This  change,  as  described  by 
Hopewell-Smith,^  occurs  in  teeth  of  the  aged  in  whose  mouths  simple 
alveolar  resorption  has  occurred,  though  later  he^  has  shown  that  it 
may  occur  in  the  pulps  of  young  persons,  in  sound  teeth  extracted 
for  irregularity,  and  even  in  teeth  in  which  the  dentinal  wall  or  pulp 
cavity  is  not  completed  to  a  typical  calcification.     He  regards  it 


'  Histology  and  Pathohistologj'  of  the  Teeth, 


2  Dental  Cosmos,  1907. 


DECENERAriON  OF   THE  PULP 


4So 


as  due  to  a  i)rimary  throml)()sis  of  the  (•ai)illaries  and  veins, 
with  permanent  dihitation  of  the  arteries,  with  or  without  tiny 
hemorrhages,  the  Lack  of  colhiteral  circuhition  and  lymphatics 
contributing  to  the  atrophy.  As  a  cause  he  suggests  chemical 
changes  in  the  blood  through  systemic  derangement,  as  anemia, 
chlorosis,   or  exhaustive  diseases,  the   red  corpuscles  being  fewer 


Fig.  430 


Fatty  degeneration  of  the  pulp.    (V.  A.  Latham.) 


and  the  leukocytes  and  blood  platelets  increased,  thus  favoring  a 
thrombosis  of  small  vessels;  also,  that  here  inflammatory  changes 
in  the  pericemental  tissue  might  interfere  with  the  pulp  circulation 
sufficiently  to  produce  it. 

Clinical  Significance. — While  the  form  of  thrombosis  or  fibrosis 
may  not  be  diagnosticated  because  of  lack  of  related  symptoms. 
Hopewell-Smith  argues  that  they  should  be  suspected  in  weak  and 
unhealthy  patients,  and  that  such  suspicion  should  contraindicate 


486        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF   THE  DENTAL   PULP 

Fig.  431 


Cloudy  swelling;  parenchymatous  degeneration;  pulp  nodules.    (V.  A,  Latham.i) 


Fig.  432 


Colloid  degeneration  of  the  pulp.    Compare  with  Fig.  49.     (V.  A.  Latham.) 


1  Dr.  Vida  A.  Latham's  illustrations  are  from  her  paper  on  Some  Pathological  Features  of  the 
Pulp,  Journal  of  the  American  Medical  Association,  September  22,  190G. 


DEGENERATION  OF  THE  PULP  487 

conservative  operations,  also  that  they  may  exphiin  certain  (Hfficulties 
of  devitaHzation  or  anesthetization  of  the  pulp  or  cause  a  related 
change  in  the  pericementum  or  brittleness  in  the  dentin. 

Morbid  Anatomy. — "The  odontoblasts  become  sheaved  with  or 
without  fatty  degeneration;  the  arteries,  permanently  distended, 
undergo  hyaline  degeneration;  a  reticular  atrophy  occurs,  with  dis- 
appearance of  cells  and  nuclei  of  both  pulp  and  \essels  and  nerves, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  the  connective-tissue  fibers  undergo  hyper- 
plasia. The  pulp  goes  more  or  less  gradually  through  the  stages 
shown  in  Fig.  427,  finally  producing  the  stage  shown  in  Figs.  428 
and  429,  in  which  the  pulps  are  shrunken  and  may  have  left  the  wall 

Fig.  433 


Great  thickening  of  nerve  bundle.    From  a  case  of  chronic  neuralgia.    Patient  had 
many  teeth  extracted  for  neuritis.     (V.  A.  Latham.) 

of  the  pulp  chamber.  Many  areolar  spaces  appear  which  may  be 
arranged  in  chains.  The  odontoblasts  are  degenerated.  The  pulp 
stroma  is  very  dense,  has  a  clear,  fibrous  structure,  becomes  very 
marked  in  staining,  and  is  highly  differentiated  from  the  surrounding 
tissue.  The  bloodvessels,  nerves,  cells,  and  connective  tissue  have 
all  disappeared,  and  their  place  is  taken  by  a  new,  firm,  fibrous 
structure  devoid  of  cells,  nuclei,  or  any  regular  arrangement  of 
constituent  parts. 

"There  is  no  calcification  of  the  pulp  and  no  obliteration  of  the 
dentinal  tubules. 


488        DESTRUCTIVE  DISEASES  OF  THE  DENTAL  PULP 

"The  proximate  cause  and  associate  phenomena  are  not  as  yet 
clearly  related." 

Fatty  Degeneration  of  the  Pulp. — During  the  course  of  degenera- 
tion of  the  elements  of  the  pulp  fatty  changes  may  occur  as  in  other 
parts.  The  fatty  changes  occur  in  the  walls  of  the  arteries  and 
sheaths  of  the  nerves,  and  in  the  odontoblasts.^ 

Cloudy  swelHng  also  appears.     (Latham.)     (See  p.  78.) 

Colloid  Degeneration  of  the  Pulp. — The  demonstration  of  colloid 
material  within  the  pulp  has  been  made  by  Latham,  as  shown  in 
Fig.  432.  She  states  that  it  may  become  calcified.  The  condition 
is  very  rare.  Other  degenerations  such  as  Wallerian,  hyaline,  and 
amyloid  have  been  noted. ^  It  would  seem  that  the  pulp  may  be 
subject  to  any  form  of  degeneration  seen  elsewhere. 

Fig.  434 


Neoplasm  of  the  pulp.     (V.  A.  Latham.) 


Nerve-end  Degeneration  of  the  Pulp. — The  degeneration  of  nerves 
occurs  in  the  pulp  as  it  may  in  the  pericementum  and  from  the 
same  causes  that  produce  endarteritis.  The  bundles  may  be  enlarged. 
Neuralgia  may  be  associated  with  it. 


'  Hopewell-Smith. 

2  Talbot:   Dental  Cosmos,  1909,  p.  1150. 


DEGEXERATIOX  OF   THE  PULP  489 

Neoplasm  of  the  Pulp. — Latham  claims  that  a  neoplasm  may  occur 
in  the  pulj),  and  offers  the  photomicrograph  shown  in  Fig.  434  as 
proof  of  the  fact.  I  do  not  know  of  any  cases  iii  which  such  a  pulp 
condition  has  been  related  with  a  malignant  growth  outside  of  the 
pulp  cavity,  though  it  may  not  be  impossible. 

INIany  of  the  destructive  pulp  diseases  occur  in  the  pulps  of  the 
temporary  teeth,  and  are  to  be  treated  in  like  manner,  except  as  to 
the  use  of  arsenic,  which,  being  accompanied  by  greater  danger, 
should,  for  the  most  part,  be  replaced  by  nervocidin,  pressure  anes- 
thesia, or  cantharides.  This  point  is  discussed  at  length  in  the 
chapter  upon  Removal  of  the  Pulp. 

If  the  tooth  roots  be  largely  resorbed.  the  pulp  may  bear  capping 
even  when  ulceration  has  occurred.  The  pulp  may  die  under  this 
capping,  when  the  case  is  further  treated  as  indicated.  (See  Chronic 
Apical  Abscess.) 


CHAPTER    XVII 

METHODS   OF   REMOVAL   OF  THE   DENTAL   PULP   AND 
ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 

There  are  four  general  methods  by  which  a  patient  or  pulp  may 
be  prepared  for  the  operation  of  pulp  extirpation.  These  are  as 
follows : 

1.  Anesthetization  of  the  patient  and  removal  of  the  pulp  during 
the  period  of  anesthesia. 

2.  Anesthetization  of  the  pulp  by  cocain,  or  in  some  cases  by 
nervocidin,  and  the  removal  of  the  pulp. 

3.  Anesthetization  of  the  apical  tissue  and  removal  of  the  pulp. 

4.  Devitalization  of  the  pulp  followed  by  its  removal. 

1.  General  Anesthesia. — The  pulp  of  a  single-rooted  tooth  may  be 
readily  extirpated  while  the  patient  is  anesthetized  by  nitrous  oxid, 
nitrous  oxid  and  oxygen,  or  by  somnoform.  The  instruments  should 
be  in  readiness,  the  patient  anesthetized,  the  pulp  uncovered  by 
an  engine  bur,  and  the  pulp  extirpated  with  a  barbed  broach  or 
Donaldson  cleanser. 

In  cases  of  multirooted  teeth  the  available  anesthetics  are  ether, 
which  is  rarely  used  for  the  purpose,  and  nitrous  oxid  administered 
by  nasal  inhalation.  The  latter  is  accomplished  by  means  of  a 
special  apparatus  having  a  hood  covering  the  nose,  of  which  the  Teter 
appliance  is  the  most  notable  example.  This  is  designed  to  prolong 
the  anesthesia  by  administering  nitrous  oxid  and  oxygen.  As  it  is 
equally  applicable  to  the  otherwise  painful  excavation  of  cavities  of 
decay  and  extractions,  it  is  a  valuable  means  for  accomplishing  this 
purpose  also.     (See  p.  380.) 

The  otdinary  outfit  is,  however,  of  value  by  enabling  the  operator 
to  remove  the  diseased  bulb  of  the  pulp  of  a  multirooted  tooth,  after 
which  and  while  the  patient  is  conscious  other  methods  of  removal 
of  the  radicular  portions  of  the  pulp  may  be  employed. 

2.  Anesthesia  of  the  Pulp. — For  this  purpose  cocain  is  almost  uni- 
versally employed.  There  are  three  practical  methods  by  which  it 
may  be  introduced  into  a  pulp : 

(a)  By  pressure  accomplished  by  means  of  raw  vulcanite.  A  strong 
solution  (50  per  cent,  to  saturated  solution)  of  cocain  hydrochlorid 
is  made  in  water,  or  preferably  in  some  mild  antiseptic  solution 


ANESTHESIA   OF   THE  PULP  491 

which  does  not  cloud  on  admixture.  A  small  piece  of  amadou  (spunk) 
is  saturated  with  it  and  laid  upon  the  orifice  of  exposure.  The  cavity 
is  filled  with  the  rubber,  and  upon  this  is  placed  a  flat-ended  plugger 
or  burnisher  broad  enough  to  concentrate  the  force  upon  the  amadou. 
A  broad  piece  of  amadou  placed  over  the  rubber  is  sometimes  of 
assistance  in  preventing  the  slipping  about  of  the  rubber.  Gentle 
pressure  is  now  made  and  a  slight  pain  is  usually  felt.  The  pressure 
should  be  maintained  until  this  passes  away,  then  it  is  increased 
little  by  little  until  some  force  is  exerted.  The  rubber  and  amadou 
are  then  removed,  the  pulp  cavity  opened,  the  progress  of  the  anes- 
thesia tested  with  a  fine  broach,  and  the  pulp  lifted  away.  Some 
prefer  to  place  a  prepared  pellet  or  crystal  of  cocain  upon  the  pulp. 

For  multirooted  teeth  the  pressure  should  be  prolonged,  and  to 
prevent  return  of  sensation  and  hemorrhage  while  extirpating  it  is 
well  to  instil  carbohc  acid  into  the  pulp  tissue  by  means  of  a  fine, 
smooth  broach. 

In  some  cases  the  operation  fails  because  the  direction  of  the 
pressure  has  been  aw^ay  from  rather  than  toward  the  pulp  or  because 
the  spunk  has  slipped  from  its  place.  Sometimes  the  orifice  of 
exposure  may  be  enlarged,  but  as  sensation  is  discovered  a  fresh 
application  must  be  made.  In  cases  with  large  foramina  the  appli- 
cation may  fail;  with  the  incomplete  foramen  of  moderate  size  it  is 
more  successful. 

Sometimes  repeated  applications  fail  of  eflFect,  though  the  appli- 
cation is  not  painful,  and  at  times  the  pressure  is  not  tolerated  at 
all,  owing  to  the  irritability  of  the  pulp,  due  to  continued  hyperemia 
or  infiammation.  Even  six  or  eight  applications  have  at  times 
failed  even  when  a  fair  and  accessible  exposure  existed.  Sedation 
for  a  day  or  two  sometimes  permits  a  successful  application.  The 
pressure  is  sometimes  tolerated,  yet  failure  results.  This  action  of 
cocain  corresponds  to  that  in  inflamed  tissue.  In  cases  of  cavities 
without  walls  to  confine  the  rubber,  it  is  well  to  enclose  the  buccal 
and  lingual  embrasures  with  the  thumb  and  forefinger.  In  very 
broad  occlusal  cavities  the  finger-tip  confines  the  rubber  nicely. 

When  only  canal  filaments  are  present,  any  septic  matter  present 
should  be  removed  by  syringing  repeatedly  with  an  antiseptic  solu- 
tion; then  the  canals  should  be  thoroughly  dried,  and  the  cocain, 
dissolved  in  an  antiseptic,  is  carried  on  a  cotton  thread  into  the  canals 
and  against  the  pulp  remnant.  A  small  piece  of  rubber  is  placed  in 
one  canal  and  the  pressure  confined  to  that  canal  by  means  of  a 
plugger  which  will  about  fill  the  canal.  The  action  is  then  repeated 
in  the  other  canals.  This  produces  better  results  than  a  general 
pressure  over  all  the  canals  at  once. 


492     REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND   ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 

If  used  after  arsenic  has  been  applied  the  results  are  not  usually  so 
good,  but  sometimes  the  method  is  successful.  To  avoid  the  intro- 
duction of  arsenic  into  apical  tissue  all  sloughing  portions  should  be 
removed. 

When  the  pulp  is  not  exposed,  the  application  to  the  dentin  over 
the  pulp  permits  advance,  a  pocket  being  created  in  the  dentin  with 
a  bur,  which  aids  the;  further  instillation  of  the  cocain;  finally,  the 
pulp  is  exposed  and  the  anesthesia  is  completed. 

Clyde  Davis  recommends  for  the  purpose  of  producing  the  exposure 
the  use  of  a  drop  of  1  to  1000  adrenalin  chlorid  followed  by  a  drop  of 
37  per  cent,  formaldehyd,  then  pressure  with  raw  vulcanite. 

Where  calcific  formations  are  present  they  present  some  difficulty, 
though  with  persistence  one  may  be  enabled  to  anesthetize  the  pulp. 
Cook  recommends  an  application  of  10  per  cent,  sulphuric  acid  for 
a  few  minutes,  followed  by  sodium  bicarbonate  previous  to  a  reappli- 
cation  of  the  pressure  anesthesia,  as  highly  effective  in  aiding 
penetration  of  the  cocain. 

There  is  a  possibility  of  the  introduction  of  cocain  into  the  general 
circulation,  and  some  systemic  effect  may  be  noted,  though  often 
this  will  be  due  to  the  agitation  of  the  patient.  Some  patients  have 
complained  of  tingling  in  the  fingers.  If  syncope  be  threatened 
aromatic  spirit  of  ammonia  should  be  administered,  the  head  lowered, 
the  feet  elevated,  and  smelling  salts  or  amyl  nitrite  applied  to  the 
nostrils.  It  is  always  well  to  administer  aromatic  spirit  of  ammonia 
before  using  cocain  for  any  purpose. 

Hemorrhage  following  the  extirpation  of  the  pulp  is  sometimes 
copious.  To  avoid  this,  carbolic  acid  should  be  instilled  into  the 
pulp  tissue  by  means  of  a  smooth  broach.  A  fine  Donaldson  cleanser 
may  be  passed  to  the  apex  of  the  canal  and  slowly  twisted,  the  oper- 
ation consuming  several  minutes.  This  torsion  of  the  pulp  largely 
limits  the  hemorrhage.  If  it  occur  it  should  be  allowed  to  check 
itself,  though  if  desired  a  trifle  of  a  mixture  of  powdered  alum  and 
powdered  thymol  may  be  taken  upon  cotton  wet  with  phenol- 
camphor  gnd  passed  to  the  end  of  the  canal.  Deliquesced  zinc  chlorid 
checks  hemorrhage  promptly;  a  dilution  is  less  painful. 

It  is  an  open  question  whether  canals  from  which  living  pulps 
have  been  removed  should  be  filled  immediately  or  not.  There  is 
liable  to  be  a  secondary  hemorrhage,  particularly  when  adrenalin 
is  used  with  the  cocain.  Many  prefer  to  fill  at  once,  claiming  that 
surgical  pericementitis  is  the  only  result.  The  writer,  as  a  rule,  wraps 
a  twist  of  cotton  upon  a  Swiss  broach,  dips  it  into  phenol-camphor, 
then  into  formocresol,  and  applies  it  to  the  canal.  This,  as  a  rule, 
permits  the  healing  of  the  parts  without  much  tenderness,   and 


ANESTHESIA   OF   THE  PULP 


493 


really  consumes  but  little  more  time  in  the  aggregate.  Moreover, 
the  formocresol  tends  to  mummify  the  fibrils  left  in  the  dentinal 
tubules. 

As  an  alternate  upon  the  immediate  filling  side  a  paste  of 

Vf — ThyiiKjl 1  part 

Parafoini .1  part 

Zinc  oxid 1  part 

Glycerin 1  part 

may  be  used  with  gutta-percha  cones  to  accomplish  the  same  result. 

All  work  should  be  done  under  aseptic  precautions.  Where  applic- 
able and  not  liable  to  be  too  painful,  the  rubber  dam  should  be 
applied.  The  writer  often  uses  napkins  instead,  and  relies  upon  the 
carbolic  acid  instilled  into  the  pulp  and  the  formocresol  dressing  to 
maintain  asepsis.    This  is  repeated  if  the  cavity  be  douched  out. 

(b)  When  considerable  dentin  overlies  the  pulp,  or  when  a  tooth  is 
sound,  the  most  expeditious  method  of  cocain  anesthesia  is  by  means 
of  the  compound  syringe  (Fig.  435).    This  consists  of  a  strong  metal 

Fig.  435 


The  Myers  compound  syringe  for  forcing  cocain  solutions  through  the  dentinal  tubules. 


syringe,  the  piston  of  which  is  actuated  by  means  of  levers  which 
multiply  the  power  of  the  hand.  The  Myers  syringe  is  one  of  the 
best,  though  several  forms  are  obtainable.  The  syringe  nozzle  is 
embedded  in  a  small  hole  drilled  in  the  dentin  by  one  of  two  methods: 
The  hole  may  be  made  small  with  parallel  sides,  as  when  drilled  with 
a  .No.  ^  bur;  the  syringe  nozzle  has  then  slightly  conical  sides  at 
the  point  intended  to  jam  a  fit  when  introduced  with  force  into  the 
drill  pit.  In  the  other  method  the  drill  pit  is  made  wdth  a  cone- 
pointed  bur  or  bud  bur,  and  the  syringe  point  is  made  flat-ended,  a 
form  easy  to  maintain  upon  the  point.  A  4  to  10  per  cent,  cocain 
solution  is  sufficient,  and  all  air  must  be  expelled  from  the  syringe. 
It  is  wise  also  to  expel  all  air  from  the  drill  pit  by  a  slight  pressure 
while  the  syringe  point  is  loosely  held  in  the  pit.  Then  a  rotary 
motion  under  forward  pressure  embeds  the  point. 

If  no  leakage  occurs  the  force  of  the  piston  drives  the  cocain  through 


494     REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND   ROOT-CANAL   FILLING 

the  fibrils  in  the  tubules  and  into  the  pulp.  The  pressure  must  be 
maintained  for  about  three  minutes.  The  anesthesia  is  then  tested 
by  drilling  with  a  No.  |  bur  in  the  direction  of  the  pulp.  If  the  dentin 
be  sensitive  the  syringe  is  to  be  reapplied.  Often  the  bur  sinks  into 
a  sensitive  pulp  mthout  warning  by  dentinal  sensitivity.  In  such 
case  the  syringe  is  reapplied  for  a  moment,  when,  as  a  rule,  the 
anesthesia  will  be  complete.  In  all  cases  when  testing,  the  drill 
hole  should  not  be  enlarged,  as  this  prevents  reapplication.  Too  much 
cocain  should  not  be  introduced,  as  it  has  happened  that  the  area 
about  the  apical  tissue  has  been  profoundly  injected,  with,  of  course, 
possibility  of  systemic  complication.  This  warning  applies  to  the 
second  application  rather  than  the  first.  When  desirable,  the  enamel 
of  a  sound  tooth  which  is  to  be  crowned  may  be  ground  away  until 
the  dentin  is  reached,  or  if  enamel  must  be  removed  in  only  limited 
degree,  as  for  a  tap  upon  the  lingual  side  of  an  incisor  or  in  the 
fissure  of  a  bicuspid,  a  "spot"  is  first  made  with  a  dentate  bur,  then 
a  spear  drill  is  driven  through  the  enamel  only  just  reaching  the 
dentin.  The  drill  hole  is  then  enlarged  as  widely  as  permissible,  after 
which  the  pit  is  made  in  the  dentin  with  a  No.  |  bur. 

The  lingual  side  of  upper  incisors  will  permit  of  suflBciently  direct 
pressure  to  enable  the  operator  to  centre  the  syringe  point,  but  in 
many  cases  in  which  crowns  are  indicated  the  labial  side  may  be 
used  with  advantage,  especially  at  the  neck  when  the  cementum  is 
exposed.  Later,  the  entrance  tap  is  made  in  line  with  the  pulp  axis. 
The  labial  or  mesiobuccal  side  must  always  be  used  in  the  lower  teeth, 
unless  a  cavity  be  used,  sometimes  preferably  at  the  neck,  sometimes 
higher  up.  In  cavities  having  sufficient  dentin  over  the  pulp  the  pit 
may  be  made  in  the  pulpal  wall,  and  if  for  any  reason  it  is  needed 
the  drill  pit  may  begin  at  the  cervical  portion  of  the  cavity  and  extend 
into  the  root  dentin  and  parallel  with  the  pulp.  The  pit  must  be 
deeper  than  the  syringe  point  will  penetrate,  so  that  the  pressure 
may  force  the  solution  laterally  through  the  tubules,  which  are  at 
a  right  angle  to  the  axis  of  the  pulp  and  the  pit.  In  some  cases  solu- 
tion of  antiseptics  have  been  as  effective  with  this  instrument  as 
the  cocaifi  solution. 

According  to  BrouardeV  of  Paris,  the  effects  of  cocain  are  acute 
and  chronic.  The  former  develop  usually  in  ten  or  fifteen  minutes, 
or  even  up  to  three-quarters  of  an  hour  after  the  injection.  They  are: 
precordial  anxiety,  filiform  and  extra  rapid  pulse,  lividity  of  the  face, 
coldness  in  the  extremities,  and  abundant  perspiration;  rise  in  tem- 
perature,  irregular  respiration,   tinghng  sensations   in  the  hands, 

»  Dental  Cosmos,  1905,  p.  1508. 


ANESTHESIA  OF  THE  PULP  495 

blunted  tactile  sensibility,  excitement,  loquacity,  weeping,  anger,  or 
hysterical  fits;  bilious  vomiting  with  or  without  diarrhea;  anuria, 
symptomatic  epilepsy,  followed  by  motor  and  sensory  paralysis. 
Death  occurs  in  from  two  minutes  to  five  hours  after  administration, 
though  in  the  chronic  cases  fatality  usually  does  not  result. 

Placing  the  patient  in  the  horizontal  position,  giving  inhalations 
of  amyl  nitrite,  and,  if  further  cardiac  stimulation  be  necessary, 
hypodermic  injections  of  ether  or  strychnin. 

The  chronic  poisoning  occurs  mostly  in  those  addicted  to  its  use. 
Some  develop  a  tolerance  of  the  drug,  withstanding  from  30  to  120 
grains.  Tachycardia  and  intense  psychic  disturbances,  leading  to 
physical  and  mental  collapse,  are  observed. 

(c)  The  third  and  least  desirable  form  of  cocain  anesthesia  of  the 
pulp  consists  of  its  introduction  by  the  cataphoric  current.  It  has 
the  disadvantage  of  consuming  more  time,  but  may  serve  when 
patients  are  timid.  A  10  per  cent,  solution  of  cocain  hydrochlorid 
is  applied  to  the  pulpal  wall  of  the  cavity,  the  tooth  being  previously 
placed  under  rubber  dam.  The  anode  of  the  cataphoric  outfit  is 
applied  to  the  cotton  and  the  cathode  placed  in  the  hand  or  at  the 
cheek. 

The  dentin  may  be  anesthetized  as  well.  If  desired,  this  method 
may  be  used  to  obtain  a  pulp  exposure  and  the  pressure  method 
employed  to  complete  the  operation. 

When  beginning  with  an  exposed  pulp,  about  fifteen  minutes  will 
be  required  unless  hyperemia  of  the  pulp  exists,  when  a  longer  time 
will  be  required.  As  with  the  pressure  method,  there  may  be  occa- 
sional failures.  It  will  be  noted  that  there  is  advantage  in  time  and 
convenience  in  the  pressure  methods. 

(d)  The  fourth  method  of  producing  pressure  anesthesia  consists  in 
the  use  of  carbolic  acid  in  place  of  the  cocain  or  in  case  of  obstinate 
canal  filaments  of  a  solution  of  cocain  in  carbolic  acid. 

When  pulp  nodules  or  calcific  degenerations  exist  there  may  be 
some  difficulty  in  introducing  the  cocain,  but  after  a  first  or  second 
application  the  nodule  may  be  lifted  away  and  further  pressure  made, 
though  even  at  this  point  failure  may  occur. 

In  all  cases  presenting  difficulty  in  introduction,  desiccation  is  a 
valuable  preliminary.  Cook^  recommends  an  application  of  10  per 
cent,  sulphuric  acid  for  a  few"  minutes,  followed  by  sodium  bicar- 
bonate previous  to  a  reapplication  of  the  pressure  anesthesia  as 
highly  effective  in  aiding  penetration  of  the  cocain.  Claims  are 
made  for  eucain,  eucain  and  alcohol,  and  alcohol  alone  for  producing 
pulp  anesthesia  by  pressure. 

1  Dental  Review,  1905. 


496      REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 

(e)  The  fifth  method  of  producing  pulpal  anesthesia  is  by  the 
application  of  nervocidin,  an  alkaloid  obtained  by  D.  Dalma  from 
the  East  Indian  plant  gasu-basu.  Arkovy  recommended  that  a 
portion  be  applied  to  the  exposed  pulp  for  twenty-four  hours,  when 
it  may  be  removed  painlessly.  Soderberg^  suggests  the  addition  of 
a  small  amount  of  cocain  hydrochlorid  to  overcome  the  primary 
irritating  effect  of  the  nervocidin.  If  dentin  be  over  the  pulp,  an 
additional  application  of  twenty-four  hours'  duration  is  required  to 
obtain  an  exposure.     (See  p.  389.) 

Sprays  of  rapidly  vaporizable  substances,  such  as  ethyl  or  methyl 
chlorid,  directed  against  the  exposed  pulp,  the  tooth  being  isolated 
under  rubber  dam,  will,  in  some  cases,  render  the  pulp  entirely 
insensitive,  although,  as  a  rule,  they  fail  to  entirely  anesthetize  to 
the  apical  foramen.  The  method  is  painful  and  not  applicable  in 
many  cases  of  highly  irritable  pulps.     (See  p.  383.) 

3.  Anesthesia  of  the  Apical  Tissue. — The  third  general  principle 
upon  which  pulps  may  be  extirpated  consists  in  paralyzing  the 
nerve  filament  leading  from  the  pulp  to  the  larger  branches  of  the 
fifth  nerve.  If  the  nerve  in  the  apical  tissue  can  be  prevented 
from  transmitting  sensation,  the  operator  may  remove  the  pulp 
surgically  without  pain.  The  apical  tissue  is  to  be  located  as  nearly 
as  possible,  the  gum  sterilized,  and  an  injection  of  about  5  drops  of 
a  1  per  cent,  solution  of  cocain  containing  adrenalin  injected  as  near 
the  periosteum  of  the  bone  as  possible.  This  is  expected  to  infiltrate 
the  apical  tissue  via  the  collateral  vessels  in  the  bone.  To  permit  the 
accomplishment  of  this  a  little  time  should  be  allowed.  On  drilling 
the  dentin  to  open  the  pulp  cavity,  one  should  note  the  presence  or 
absence  of  sensation,  and  upon  exposure  a  smooth  broach  should  be 
used  to  test  the  state  of  the  pulp.  In  the  use  of  this  method  precau- 
tion should  be  taken  to  administer  an  antidote  before  using  the 
cocain.  What  is  called  diploe  anesthesia  Has  been  employed  to 
relieve  the  pain  of  dental  operations,  and  consists  of  cutting  to  the 
bone  after  the  above  injection,  perforating  the  bone,  and  injecting 
into  the  diploeic  structure.  A  small  hole  is  made  in-  the  cortical 
layer  of  bone  and  a  blunt  hypodermic  needle  used  to  complete  the 
anesthesia.  A  few  drops  of  solution  only  are  injected.  A  method 
employed  by  some  bridge-workers  consists  in  notching  and  excising 
sound  crowns.  It  is  often  the  case  that  for  a  short  period  after  the 
excision  the  pulp  is  insensitive  and  can  be  lifted  away  with  a  broach. 
If  for  any  reason  this  should  fail,  other  immediate  methods  can  be 
employed.  Claims  have  been  made  for  a  slight  sidewise  blow  struck 
upon  the  tooth  to  paralyze  the  pulp  nerves  by  a  stretching  shock. 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1901  and  1902. 


DEVITALIZATION  OF   THE  PULP  -197 

4.  Devitalization  of  the  Pulp. — Devitalization  of  the  pulp  by  the 
use  of  arsenic  trioxid  as  a  preliminary  to  its  successful  removal 
is  the  oldest  of  the  methods  employed  at  the  present  day/  and, 
as  shown,  it  still  has  to  be  resorted  to  either  from  necessity  or 
convenience. 

The  method  has  its  value  in  the  very  teeth  in  which  its  use  is  least 
objectionable,  namely,  the  posterior  teeth.  There  is  no  danger  in 
the  use  of  arsenic  in  teeth  having  completed  roots  or  in  unresorbed 
temporary  teeth,  provided  the  arsenic  be  accurately  sealed  in  the 
cavity  so  that  it  does  not  escape  upon  the  gum.  If  it  does  escape  it 
may  destroy  the  gum  or  pericementum  and  cause  partial  necrosis  of 
bone  or  the  complete  loss  of  the  tooth  together  with  some  bone.  The 
pulp  always  dies  through  a  process  of  venous  hyperemia  induced  by 
the  protoplasmic  irritant  and  poison.  Some  of  this  is  absorbed  by 
the  pulp.  This  hyperemia  is  progressive  from  the  pulp  bulb  toward 
the  apex  of  the  root,  and  there  it  causes  the  death  of  the  apical  portion 
of  pulp  through  interference  with  its  nutrition.  Sometimes  this 
hyperemia  of  the  pulp  extends  into  the  apical  tissue,  but  if  the  pulp 
be  left  in  situ,  necrosis  of  apical  tissue  never  results,  but,  on  the 
contrary,  the  hyperemia  becomes  resolved  after  the  death  of  the 

pulp- 

The  writer  fails  to  see  wherein  such  a  hyperemia  differs  in  conse- 
quence from  that  produced  by  the  surgical  removal  of  a  pulp  aijd 
denominated  with  favor  as  surgical  pericementitis.  In  his  hands 
such  teeth  have  given  quite  as  good  results  as  when  other  methods 
have  been  employed.  By  this  it  is  not  meant  that  there  has  been 
no  difficulty  in  devitalizing  some  pulps,  particularly  some  of  those 
in  which  repeated  applications  of  cocain  under  pressure  failed  to 
anesthetize,  but  that  when  carefully  handled  and  sufficient  time  for 
pulp  death  has  been  allowed,  careful  filling  of  the  canal  has  been 
successful. 

Action  of  Arsenic  upon  the  Pulp. — Arkovy-  was  the  first  to  point 
out  the  details  of  the  action  of  arsenic  upon  the  dental  tissues: 

"1.  AS2O3  brought  into  contact  with  the  tooth  pulp  acts  in  the 
following  way:  A  certain  degree  of  inflammatory  hyperemia,  total  or 
partial,  depending  upon  the  quantity  of  the  agent  applied,  sets  in; 
the  bloodvessels  become  expanded,  and  here  have  a  tendency  to 
thrombosis.  This  latter  effect  may  dlso  be  in  connection  with 
embolism  of  the  capillaries,  when  the  agent  is  quickly  taken  up  into 
the  bloodvessels. 

"2.  AS2O3  produces  no  coagulation  of  tissue  whatever. 

'  Introduced  by  Spooner  in  1836. 

2  Transactions  of  the  International  Medical  Congress,  London,  1881. 

32 


498     REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL   FILLING 

"3.  It  has  a  specific  influence  upon  the  blood  corpuscles,  combining 
with  the  hemoglobin  to  form  a  compound  of  arsen-hemoglobin,  and 
of  this  chemical  process  there  seems  to  be  evidence  in  the  profuse 
yellowish  tinge  of  the  whole  pulp  tissue  and  in  the  discoloration  of 
blood  in  several  of  the  bloodvessels. 

"4.  In  nearly  every  case  it  is  taken  up  in  substantia  (in  form  of 
molecules)  into  the  blood-ways;  when  there  it  produces,  besides  the 
above-mentioned  changes,  granular  detritus  of  the  contents  and 
anemic  collapse — shrinkage,  the  latter  effect  being  brought  about 
nearh'^  exclusively  in  cases  where  greater  doses  were  used. 

"5.  The  bulk  of  the  pulp  tissue — viz.,  connective-tissue  fibers  and 
odontoblasts — undergoes  no  change  whatever;  not  so  the  connective- 
tissue  cells,  which  increase  three  or  four  times  their  normal  size. 

"  6.  The  special  action  of  arsenic  trioxid  upon  the  nerve  elements 
consists  in  the  following:  the  neurilemma  is  only  so  far  influenced 
that  its  nuclei  are  somewhat  increased;  a  more  essential  change  takes 
place  in  the  axial  part,  where,  after  the  application  of  more  than 
1  mg.,  granular  destruction  of  myelin  sets  in,  and  the  axis-cylinder 
commences  here  and  there  to  disappear.  A  very  surprising  alteration 
may  be  seen  in  the  notchy  tumefaction  of  the  axis-cylinder,  described 
heretofore  almost  only  in  cases  of  central  lesions. 

"7.  All  these  alterations  occur  in  and  among  normal-looking 
tissue. 

"8.  The  action  of  arsenic  trioxid  is  macroscopically  exhibited  by 
a  brownish  red-tingeing  of  the  whole  or  of  certain  parts  of  the  pulp 
body,  as  well  as  of  the  neighboring  dentin  and  the  cementum,  this 
latter  in  cases  treated  with  greater  doses — viz.,  2  to  5  mg.  This 
alteration  is  most  expressed  at  the  top  of  the  crown  pulp  and  at 
the  apical  one-fourth  to  one-third  part.  This  circumstance  may 
be  considered  as  an  external  evidence  of  the  devitalization  being 
completely  attained  to." 

In  some  cases  the  pinkish  discoloration  of  the  dentin  may  be 
marked;  the  broken-down  corpuscles  of  the  extravasated  blood  have 
their  coloring  matter  taken  up  by  the  odontoblasts,  and  being  dis- 
tributed through  their  protoplasmic  processes  produce  a  condition 
technically  known  as  suffusion.  The  same  result  may  be  an  attendant 
upon  injury  to  the  vessels  from  other  causes,  producing  hyperemia, 
as  when  teeth  are  moved  too  rapidly  in  regulating. 

IMiller's  experiments^  upon  the  tails  of  mice  (made  without  and 
with  rings  at  the  root  of  the  tail  to  simulate  the  surroundings  of  the 
apical  vessels  of  a  tooth;  made  without  and  with  encasement  of  the 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1894. 


DEVITALIZATION  OF  THE  PULP  499 

tails  in  plaster  of  Paris  to  imitate  the  rigid  surroundings  of  the  dental 
pulp)  showed  that  in  the  absence  of  the  plaster  encasement  enormous 
edema  of  the  tail  was  produced  and  a  sensory  paralysis  of  the  hind 
limbs;  complete  anesthesia  of  the  tail  occurred  in  forty-eight  hours. 
"The  action  of  arsenic  appeared  somewhat  accelerated  when  a  glass 
ring  was  applied  close  to  the  root  of  the  tail.  In  more  than  forty  cases 
there  was  not  one  in  which  the  action  of  the  arsenic  extended  beyond 
the  ring,  and  the  action  was  not  appreciably  affected  by  enclosing  the 
tails  in  plaster  casts.  The  action  of  the  arsenic  is  of  a  progressive 
nature,  beginning  at  the  point  of  application  and  extending  gradually 
in  each  direction." 

Flagg'  devitalized  ten  pulps  and  removed  them,  cut  off  the  portion 
of  the  bulb  of  each  which  had  contact  with  the  arsenic,  and  tested  the 
ten  pulps  together  by  Reinsch's  test.  Arsenic  was  found,  estimated 
at  a  one-hundred-thousandth  part  of  a  grain  or  one-millionth  of  a 
grain  for  each  pulp.  Allowing  for  possible  mechanical  introduction 
or  contact  of  arsenic  during  extirpation,  the  quantity  of  arsenic 
introduced  by  the  circulation  must  be  very  minute  indeed. 

Flagg  argued  that  as  the  pulp  subsequently  putrefies  it  cannot 
have  died  as  the  result  of  arsenical  poisoning  alone. 

In  the  roots  wdth  large  foramina  arsenic  may  be  absorbed,  as  areas 
of  devitalization  of  the  apical  and  overlying  gum  tissue  have  been 
noted.  In  several  apparently  authentic  cases  the  pericementum  of 
a  mature  tooth  has  been  said  to  be  destroyed  from  the  apex  down 
and  the  tooth  lost.  I  have  never  seen  such  a  case  resulting  from  the 
arsenical  method  alone  in  either  clinical  or  private  practice,  although 
cases  of  marginal  gum,  alveolar,  and  pericemental  death,  beginning 
as  the  result  of  leakage  or  application  to  perforations,  have  been 
noted.  It  is  probable  that  as  stasis  proceeds  the  apical  portion  of 
the  pulp  becomes  involved  in  advance  of  arsenic  absorption.  Miller's 
experiments  show  that  arsenic  does  not  pass  the  point  of  constriction. 
Variations  in  the  Action  of  Arsenic— In  most  cases  of  fully  formed, 
single-rooted  teeth  in  young  adults  an  application  of  arsenical  paste 
directly  to  the  exposed  pulp  will  be  followed  by  the  complete  death 
of  the  organ  in  forty-eight  hours.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  a 
sterilized  broach  may  be  passed  almost  to  the  apex  of  the  root  and 
the  pulp  removed  en  masse  without  pain.  Pulps  of  molars  require  a 
longer  time,  often  a  week,  before  the  filaments  are  dead.  The  finer 
filaments  resist  longer  than  the  larger  ones.  If  pulp  nodules  exist, 
the  action  of  the  arsenic  may  be  delayed  or  in  some  cases  be  almost 
nil.  In  calcareous  and  other  chronic  pulp  degenerations  the  action 
is  also  delayed.     If  arsenical  applications  are  made  over  a  layer  of 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1868. 


500      REMOVAL  OF   DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 

dentin,  the  same  delay  is  noted,  and  is  increased  in  very  dense 
teeth.    There  is  also  a  greater  tendency  to  suffusion. 

Some  pulp,  irrespective  of  the  pulp  condition,  exhibits  a  peculiar 
idiosyncrasy  in  resisting  the  action  of  arsenic,  requiring  large  doses 
and  long  applications  before  succumbing.  Second  applications  often 
require  more  time  to  kill  the  balance  of  the  pulp  than  the  first  appli- 
cation would  have  required.  The  time  used  in  investigation  is 
practically  lost.  The  editor,  therefore,  allows  plenty  of  time;  about 
ten  days  for  molars,  five  for  single-rooted  teeth,  and  prefers  to  find 
the  pulp  entirely  dead. 

The  rational  objections  to  arsenic,  aside  from  its  escape  upon  the 
gum,  are:  (1)  The  possible  production  of  pain.  (2)  Possible  suffu- 
sion of  the  tooth.    (3)  The  time  required. 

The  production  of  pain  may  largely  be  obviated  by  observance  of 
certain  technique.  The  pulp  should  ordinarily  be  exposed  and  be 
slightly  bled  to  relieve  any  hyperemia  or  inflammatory  engorgement 
present,  as  this  seems  to  prevent  the  absorption  of  the  arsenic.  A 
powerfyl  sedative,  such  as  thymol,  menthol,  cocain  hydrochlorid, 
or  morphin  acetate,  should  be  employed  as  a  corrective,  and  the 
menstruum  should  be  sedative  rather  than  coagulant.  All  pressure 
on  the  pulp  should  be  avoided  as  this  produces  pain. 

Sufficient  time  for  complete  death  should  be  allowed,  say,  from  a 
week  to  ten  days.  If,  upon  examination  with  a  fine  smooth  broach, 
vitality  be  discovered,  a  sedative  should  be  applied  and  pulp  death 
awaited.  Leaving  the  dead  portion  against  the  vital  part  of  the  pulp 
is  even  better  than  making  a  second  application,  as  its  removal 
relieves  the  congestion  by  opening  the  vessels,  and  the  congestion  is 
necessary  to  the  end  in  view.  If  the  pulp  give  but  little  response 
upon  probing  it  may  be  removed.  Sometimes  the  diapedesis  of  red 
corpuscles,  associated  with  the  venous  hyperemia,  causes  a  staining 
of  the  pulp  and  dentinal  fibrils  with  the  liberated  hemoglobin.  This 
is  unfortunate,  but  can  be  treated  by  bleaching  with  25  per  cent, 
ethereal  pyrozone  sealed  in  the  pulp  cavity  for  about  twenty-four 
hours  after  the  pulp  is  removed.  The  third  objection,  the  matter 
of  time,  does  not  apply  to  the  cases  of  prompt  devitalization,  as  the 
time  spent  in  pulpal  anesthesia  and  checking  hemorrhage  is  in  the 
aggregate  no  less  than  in  the  arsenical  cases.  In  the  delayed  action 
of  arsenic  the  objection  is  valid,  but  the  apical  injection  and  general 
anesthesia  methods  are  still  open  to  trial.  The  arsenical  method,  of 
course,  requires  a  longer  period  of  treatment.  Pulpal  anesthesia 
can  be  tried  when  arsenic  does  not  act  well,  but  should  be  avoided 
when  it  originally  failed.  As  stated,  these  considerations  apply 
mainly  to  posterior  teeth. 


DEVITALIZATION  OF   THE  PULP  501 

Forms  in  Which  Used. — The  following  is  an  excellent  formnla  for 
arsenical  paste: 

I^ — Arsenici  trioxidi gr.  xv 

CocaiiiEe  hydrochloridi gr.  xx 

Thymolis  (vel  mentholis) pr.  v 

Olei  caryophylli (I.  s.  ft.  pasta — M. 

This  should  be  finely  ground  in  a  mortar  and  spread  over  the  bottom  of  a  wide  glass  jar  so  that 
some  of  the  paste  may  be  taken  up  from  the  bottom.     The  arsenic  settles  to  the  bottom. 

Buckley  recommends  the  following  formula: 

^ — -Arsenic  trioxid gr.  clxxx 

Cocain  alkaloid gr.  xxx 

Thymol gr.  xv 

Petronal tU  xv — M. 

Either  of  the  above  may  have  the  powdered  ingredients  mixed. 
The  cotton  pellet  may  be  wet  with  the  menstruum  and  then  dipped 
into  the  powder.  Lamp  black  added  to  the  paste  colors  it  so  that  it 
is  easily  distinguishable  in  a  cavity. 

The  following  are  other  formulae:  The  analgesics  included  are 
intended  to  dilute  the  arsenic  and  quiet  the  pulp,  and  thus  both 
directly  and  indirectly  modify  the  pain. 

I^ — Acidi  arsenosi, 

Morphinse  sulph aa     gr.  x 

Acidi  carbolici q.  s.  ft.  pasta — M. 

(J.   D.   White.) 

I^ — Acidi  arsenosi gr.  x 

Morphinte  acetatis gr.  xx 

Olei  caryophylli q.  s.  ft.  pasta — M. 

f  J.  Foster  Flagg.) 
Creosote  may  be  substituted  for  oil  of  cloves. 

R — Acidi  arsenosi gr.  x 

Cocainae  hydroch gr.  xx 

Olei  cinnamomi q.  s.  ft.  pasta — M. 

(E.  C.  Kirk.) 

I^ — Arsenic gr.  x 

Alum gr.  X 

Thymol gr.  x 

Oil  of  cloves q.  s.  ft.  pasta — M. 

As  the  ordinary  pastes  tend  to  separate  into  layers  of  arsenic, 
morphin,  etc.,  and  menstruum  if  made  thin,  they  should  either  be 
made  into  stiff  pastes  or  spread  over  the  bottom  of  a  wide  jar,  so  that 
some  arsenic  may  be  scraped  off  the  bottom  at  each  application. 

]\Iiller  offers  the  following  general  rules  as  deductions  from  his 
observations : 


502      REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 

"1.  The  rapidity  and  intensity  of  the  action  of  arsenous  acid 
depend,  under  certain  circumstances,  to  a  very  considerable 
degree  upon  the  substance  or  substances  with  which  it  is  incor- 
porated. 

"2.  Where  there  is  but  a  small  point  of  exposure,  and  in  particular 
where  extensive  calcification  has  taken  place  in  the  pulp,  escharotics 
should  be  avoided,  since  the  coagulation  of  the  tissue  retards  the 
absorption  of  the  arsenic.  This  retardation  is  but  slight  where  there 
is  a  broad  surface  of  exposure.  In  stubborn  cases,  where  applica- 
tions of  the  ordinary  paste  fail  to  effect  the  devitalization,  a  paste 
consisting  of  arsenous  acid  in  oil  of  cloves,  glycerin,  or  salt  solution 
should  be  employed,  undiluted  by  any  third  constituent. 

"3.  Thymol  is  worthy  of  a  trial  as  a  substitute  for  morphin,  on 
account  of  its  anesthetic  and  antiseptic  properties. 

"4.  For  devitalizing  pulps  of  temporary  teeth  or  remains  of  pulp 
tissue  in  root  canals,  arsenous  acid,  if  employed  at  all,  should  be 
diluted  with  two  or  three  parts  of  some  other  constituent  (thymol, 
zinc  oxid,  morphin,  iodoform)." 

Cobalt  was  introduced  by  Robert  Arthur  as  a  devitalizing  agent 
some  forty  years  ago.  Within  recent  years  it  has  been  employed, 
notably  by  the  Herbst  method,  to  destroy  pulps.  The  cobalt  paste 
of  Herbst  was  analyzed  b}^  E.  C.  Kirk,  and  found  to  consist  of 
metallic  arsenic  and  cocain  hydrochlorate.  Kirk  suggests  that  free 
acids  which  cocain  salts  may  contain,  or  the  chlorin  from  the  chlorid, 
may  combine  with  the  metallic  arsenic  and  form  soluble  salts.  Com- 
mercial cobalt  will  certainly  devitalize  the  dental  pulp,  but  it  is  in 
consequence  of  the  arsenic  contained  in  it. 

There  are  some  advantages  in  the  so-called  devitalizing  fiber 
introduced  by  J.  Foster  Flagg.  To  make  this,  absorbent  cotton  is 
cross-cut  with  scissors  to  a  fine  lint.  This  is  dusted  into  the  paste 
or  ground  up  with  it  in  the  mortar.  It  may  then  be  dried  on  a  blotter 
and  be  bottled  for  use.  As  it  lacks  long  fibers,  a  small  portion  may  be 
detached  and  be  placed  upon  the  pulp.  There  are  cases,  however, 
in  whicli  the  paste  should  be  carried  to  the  exposure  upon  a  probe 
and  gently  inducted  into  a  fine  exposure.  Here  its  tendency  to  spread 
or  penetrate  is  valuable.  The  fiber  has  no  such  tendency,  which 
makes  it  less  dangerous  in  use.  In  making  the  application  a  minute 
portion  of  paste  is  to  be  laid  upon  the  pulp,  or  a  pin-head  pellet  of 
cotton  is  rolled  in  it,  the  excess  of  menstruum  removed,  and  it  is 
then  applied  to  the  pulp,  or  a  portion  of  devitalizing  fiber  is  used. 
This  is  then  sealed  in. 

The  cavity  should  be  prepared  for  the  reception  of  arsenic,  decay 
being  removed  as  far  as  practicable,  and  the  cavity  dried.     Any 


DEVITALIZATION  OF  THE  PULP 


503 


Fig.  436 


redundant  gum  must  be  pressed  away  or  saturated  with  trichloracetic 
acid  and  ablated. 

There  are  two  good  methods  of  sealing  the  arsenic.  In  cases  not 
approaching  the  gum,  or  where  dryness  can  be  maintained,  the 
application  may  be  accurately  made  and  quick-setting  cement  flowed 
over  it.  This  cement  is  capable  of  being  fairly  dropped  into  a  cavity 
or  led  around  the  periphery  by  a  probe,  and  should  be  very  adhesive, 
also  be  readily  removable.  A  still  safer  method  consists  in  applying 
a  pellet  of  amadou  over  a  part  of  the  pulpal  wall.  The  cement  is 
then  introduced  about  the  periphery  of  the  cavity,  the  amadou  being 
left  largely  uncovered.  When  hard,  any  cement  over  the  amadou  is 
removed  and  the  latter  lifted  out,  thus 
leaving  a  box-like  receptacle  for  the  arse- 
nic and  a  pellet  of  amadou  partly  wet 
with  eugenol  in  which  menthol  is  dis- 
solved. When  placed,  the  orifice  is 
dried  and  more  cement  added.  This 
method  of  first  making  the  covering  is 
of  special  advantage  when  the  cavity 
cervix  is  near  the  gum  and  prevents  the 
forcing  of  arsenic  toward  the  gum  in 
the  act  of  making  the  covering.  Amal- 
gam or  facing  amalgam^  or  temporary 
stopping  may  be  used  in  place  of  th'e 
cement  (Fig.  4.36).  Temporary  stopping 
is  not  very  safe  against  masticatory 
force. 

The  rubber  dam  is  generally  insisted  upon,  but  cannot  be  used  in 
the  worst  cases,  hence  an  expert  may  dispense  with  it.  There  is  a 
tendency  among  students  to  rely  upon  the  rubber  dam  alone  to 
prevent  accidents.  This  is  a  fallacy,  as  the  same  results  may  occur 
with  it  as  well  as  without  it.  The  chief  danger  lies  in  the  use  of 
temporary  stopping  after  placing  paste.  Capillarity  and  pressure 
often  carry  the  paste  to  the  cervical  margin.  Making  the  covering 
first  or  using  fiber  constitute  the  best  precautions. 

In  case  of  a  very  dangerous  cavity,  as  a  distocervical  one,  a  special 
drill  pit  known  as  a  "pocket"  is  to  be  made  at  some  other  point 
extending  in  the  direction  of  the  pulp  horn  and  as  near  to  it  as  can 
be  made  without  too  much  infliction  of  pain.  In  this  the  arsenic  is 
to  be  sealed  while  antiseptic  sedatives  are  to  be  placed  on  cotton  in 
the  cavity  of  decay.    This  method  is  also  valuable  when  the  pulp  is 


Diagram  showing  method  of  first 
making  the  covering  for  an  arseni- 
cal or  sedative  application.  (See 
text.)  EP,  exposed  pulp;  AA,  ar- 
senical application;  C,  sedative 
covering  to  same;  A,  amalgam 
placed  before  these  applications; 
A',  amalgam  to  seal  them  in;  E, 
enamel. 


•  Facing  amalgam  is  silver  40,   tin  55,   zinc  5  parts,  and  mercury. 


504     REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL   FILLING 

very  irritable  and  permits  devitalization  through  a  more  or  less 
healthy  portion  of  pulp. 

The  presence  of  pulp  nodules  may  necessitate  an  application  after 
lifting  away  the  nodule  (Fig.  386). 

The  arsenical  method  may  be  used  after  a  preliminary  general 
anesthesia  and  bulb  removal,  or  may  even  be  used  against  an  obdurate 
pulp  canal  filament.  When  pulp  removal  is  intended  the  applica- 
tion may  be  removed  through  the  opening  and  a  probe  may  be 
passed  into  the  pulp  to  test  the  progress  of  the  devitalization.  If 
needed,  a  second  application  may  be  made  or  the  tooth  may  be 
temporarily  closed.  In  case  the  pulp  be  found  partially  dead,  it  is 
better  to  allow  more  time  for  complete  devitalization  than  to  make 
a  second  application,  as  removing  a  portion  relieves  the  congestion. 

Symptoms. — The  large  majority  of  pulps  die  under  arsenic  with 
but  little  pain.  Sometimes  throbbing  pain  results,  passing  into  a 
heavy  fulness  as  congestion  supervenes.  If  too  great,  the  pulp  should 
be  uncovered  and  bled  slightly,  then  a  sedative  should  be  applied, 
iodin  used  as  a  counterirritant  upon  the  gum,  and  pulp  death  awaited. 
Ordinarily  the  pain  passes  away  as  the  pulp  becomes  more  fully 
congested.  Apical  irritation  may  result  and  may  be  ignored  if  slight, 
or  if  severe  be  treated  in  the  same  way  as  the  pulp  irritation  (Fig, 
394).    A  guard  to  prevent  overocclusion  is  sometimes  useful. 

Accidents  from  Arsenical  Applications. — If  a  portion  of  an  arseni- 
cal application  escape  from  beneath  its  covering,  it  may  destroy 
much  or  a  little  gum  tissue,  according  to  the  amount  which  escapes. 
The  teeth  should  be  seen  early  in  doubtful  cases  and  the  condition 
of  the  gum  observed. 

The  arsenic  may  attack  the  gum  festoon,  inducing  in  it  stasis 
followed  by  necrosis.  The  gum  assumes  a  purplish  turgidity,  which 
later  changes  to  a  dirty  yellow  slough. 

The  bone  is  usually  devitalized  for  a  distance. 

If  the  necrosis  be  self-limited,  as  is  usually  the  case,  a  small 
sequestrum  comes  away  after  a  few  weeks. 

In  some  cases  the  arsenic  may  follow  the  festoon  of  the  gum  of  one 
or  more  teeth,  causing  disagreeable  sloughs  and  ulcerations.  It  may 
follow  the  pericemental  tract,  kill  the  pericementum,  and  the  tooth 
drops  out.  The  alveolar  process  about  one  or  several  teeth  may  be 
devitalized  and  a  sequestrum  occur  which  includes  the  teeth.  Cer- 
tain toothache  nostrums  are  sold  which  contain  arsenic.  Dr.  G.  C. 
Chance^  records  a  case  of  arsenical  necrosis  occurring  from  this 
source.    Dr.  J.  E.  Powers^  records  a  case  in  which  extensive  necrosis 

1  Proceedings  of  the  Academy  of  Stomatology,  Philadelphia,  1898. 
-  International  Dental  Journal,  November,  1902. 


DEVITALIZATION   OF   THE   PULP  505 

occurred  from  the  use  of  colored  woolen  yarn  (as  a  cleanser  of  inter- 
dental spaces)  which  contained  arsenic  used  in  the  dye. 

From  the  infirmary  of  the  Philadelphia  Dental  College  was 
referred  to  the  oral  clinic  a  case  of  extensive  coagulation  necrosis, 
resulting  from  the  rubbing  of  "toothache  drops"  upon  the  gum. 
Analysis  showed  the  preparation  used  contained  arsenic.  Collapse 
from  blood  poisoning  being  the  immediate  danger,  the  child  was 
operated  upon  by  Prof.  Boenning  for  drainage  of  the  parts.  During 
the  recovery,  the  teeth  from  the  right  lower  cuspid  to  the  left  lower 
second  temporary  molar,  and  the  gums  over  the  process,  were  lost, 
leaving  a  blackened  alveolar  process,  to  be  later  removed  surgically 
(Fig.  437). 

Fig.  437 


Boenning's  case  of  coagulation  necrosis  due  to  arsenic;  shows  exposed  and  blackened 
alveolar  process. 


Arsenic  is  liable  to  pass  through  the  apical  foramina  of  unformed 
or  much  resorbed  roots.  It  may  possibly  pass  through  mature  roots 
when  an  application  is  placed  high  up  in  the  canal,  rarely  when  applied 
under  normal  conditions  (as  recorded  by  some),  or,  as  occurred  in 
one  case,  by  the  application  being  pushed  through  the  apex.  It 
may  be  forced  through  in  the  act  of  broaching,  or  through  the  sub- 
sequent use  of  the  cataphoric  current  or  pressure  anesthesia  without 
the  preliminary  precaution  of  removing  the  arsenic. 

In  some  cases  arsenic  has  been  applied  to  perforations  made 
through  the  sides  of  roots  under  the  impression  that  the  vital  tissue 
found  was  pulp  tissue.  In  such  case  its  necrotic  effects  will  be  noted 
upon  the  gum  overlying  the  root  apex  or  over  the  perforation,  the 
tooth  being  loosened  and  extruded  and  may  possibly  be  lost. 


506      REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 

E.  C.  Kirk^  has  recorded  several  eases  of  loss  of  teeth  from  arsenical 
necrosis  of  the  pericemental  tissue  following  the  use  of  mummifying 
paste  to  pulp  stumps  previously  impregnated  with  arsenic.  His 
theory  is  that  the  arsenic  was  liberated  by  the  affinity  of  the  ingre- 
dients of  the  mummifying  paste  for  the  proteid  constituents  of  the 
pulp  tissue. 

Such  dangers  as  these  demand  that  extreme  precautions  be  taken 
against  the  careless  use  of  quantities  of  the  agent.  The  rules  laid 
down  should  be  adhered  to. 

The  only  cure  of  the  condition  consists  in  the  thorough  removal  of 
every  particle  of  the  arsenic.  Any  projecting  masses  of  edematous 
gum  should  be  cut  away,  as  they  are  dead  and  will  slough  at  any 
rate,  and  a  freer  access  to  deep  parts  is  had — ^the  blood-flow  may 
itself  wash  away  the  arsenic.  The  forcible  washing  should  be  pro- 
longed and  repeated,  or  10  per  cent,  silver  nitrate  should  be  used  to 
form  arsenite.  Dialyzed  iron  or  tincture  of  iodin  might  be  applied 
with  a  view  to  possible  neutralization  of  the  arsenic. 

The  editor,  in  a  case  of  known  application  of  arsenic  to  an  obscure 
perforation,  succeeded  in  causing  regeneration  of  tissue  by  removing 
surgically  the  dead  tissue  and  inviting  repair. 

It  may,  therefore,  be  that  after  minute  portions  of  arsenic,  forced 
through  foramina,  exert  their  full  effect,  the  resulting  dead  tissue  may 
be  removed  by  resorption  or  even  exfoliation;  indeed,  this  result  has 
been  noted  in  which  no  other  explanation  seemed  possible. 

If  the  teeth  are  loosened  and  lost  as  the  result  of  arsenical  necrosis, 
either  beginning  at  the  gum  margin  or  at  the  apical  space,  the  alveolus 
will  exhibit  a>bare  periphery  and  even  some  odor  of  putrefaction  may 
be  present.  The  alveolus  should  be  sterilized  and  the  walls  burred 
away  to  a  tissue  capable  of  healthy  granulation. 

If  suffusion  occur,  essential  oils  or  phenol  should  be  avoided  in  the 
subsequent  treatment,  as  they  tend  to  set  the  color  by'  acting  as  a 
mordant  (Kirk),  rendering  bleaching  difficult.  After  the  pulp  is 
removed  it  is  well  to  fill  the  apical  portion  of  the  canal,  and  then 
at  once  bleach  with  25  per  cent,  ethereal  pyrozone,  after  which 
the  balance  of  the  canal  and  the  cavity  may  be  filled.  (See  Moist 
Gangrene  of  the  Pulp.) 

Special  Methods  of  Preparing  Pulps  for  Removal. — A  fully  exposed 
pulp  in  a  single-rooted  tooth  or  single  root  of  a  multirooted  tooth, 
may  be  suddenly  "knocked  out"  by  means  of  a  delicately  pointed 
orange-wood  stick  or  Portuguese  toothpick.  The  point  is  dipped  in 
carbolic  acid  and  suddenly  and  boldly  driven  into  the  pulp,  either  by 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  October,  1903. 


DEVITALIZATION  OF    PULPS   IX    TEMPORARY   TEETH      507 

hand  or  mallet  force.  The  method  is  not  so  agreeably  delicate  as 
pressure  anesthesia,  but  is  effective.  It  must  not  be  used  in  partial 
exposure,  as,  not  reaching  the  apex,  it  may  cause  pain. 

A  vital  remnant  of  pulp  may  be  removed  after  instilling  a  strong 
cocain  solution,  or  carbolic  acid,  or  a  paste  of  carbolic  acid  and 
acetate  of  morphin,  into  its  substance  by  means  of  a  "puncture 
probe."  This  instrument  may  be  made  by  filing  down  a  Donaldson 
bristle  to  a  fine  point,  which  is  further  whetted  on  an  oil  stone.  The 
sides  of  the  probe  are  polished  by  folding  a  cuttle-fish  disk  upon 
itself,  holding  it  between  the  thumb  and  forefinger  of  the  left  hand, 
and  drawing  the  probe  through  it.  The  pulp  canal  is  flooded  with  the 
carbolic  acid,  and  gentle  thrusts  are  made  into  the  pulp  until  the 
probe  is  stopped  at  the  apex.  If  it  pass  through,  that  must  be  judged 
by  the  sense  of  touch.  At  times  a  small  end  of  pulp  filament  may  be 
seared  with  a  hot  Evans'  root  drier,  which  is  quickly  thrust  into  it. 
This  does  not  necessarily  give  much  pain. 

A  slow  but  effective  method  of  disposing  of  these  filaments,  when 
hyperirritable  or  when  patients  are  timid,  consists  in  packing  a 
cotton  twist  saturated  with  carbolic  acid  containing  cocain  hydro- 
chlorate  in  solution  into  contact  with  the  pulp,  and  then  gently  com- 
pressing the  pulp.  The  cotton  is  to  be  left  in  position  for  a  day  or 
two,  when,  as  a  rule,  the  pulp  may  be  removed.  It  induces  throm- 
bosis, and  carbolic  acid  may  be  used  with  pressure  to  produce 
anesthesia  at  the  time  of  operation.  A  dressing  of  tincture  of  iodin 
has  been  suggested  for  the  purpose. 

Devitalization  of  Pulps  in  Temporary  Teeth. — All  of  the  anesthetic 
measures  are  as  applicable  to  temporary  teeth  as  to  the  permanent 
ones  if  the  little  patient  will  tolerate  their  apphcation. 

If  the  child  present  an  exposed  pulp  in  a  tooth  the  roots  of  which 
are  not  resorbed,  arsenic  much  diluted,  may  be  applied  for  twenty- 
four  hours  and  then  be  removed,  the  pulp  being  then  allowed  to  die. 
When  roots  are  resorbed  it  is  better  to  cap  the  pulp  with  Jodo- 
Formagen  cement,  or  if  necessary,  apply  a  pellet  of  cotton  wet  with 
phenol,  then  touched  to  iodoform,  and  seal  in  with  temporary  stopping, 
making  a  slight  pressure.  This  may  remain  a  week  or  more  and  be 
renewed  if  necessary. 

Darby  has  used  cantharides,  2V  grain  in  carbolic  acid,  with  success. 
It  must  be  carefully  sealed,  as  strangury  is  a  possibility.^  Figs.  104 
and  111  are  guides  as  to  the  condition  of  the  end  of  the  root. 

*  Dr.  J.  Foster  Flagg  had  such  a  case. 


508      REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND   ROOT-CANAL   FILLING 

THE  EXTIRPATION  OF  THE  PULP 

After  the  pulp  is  prepared  for  removal  or  the  patient  is  anesthe- 
tized, free  access  to  all  parts  of  the  pulp  cavity  and  canals  must  be 
obtained.  This  is  usually  best  accomplished  by  an  opening  made  in 
direct  line  with  the  axis  of  the  pulp  canal.  In  general  terms  this 
involves  for  sound  teeth  an  opening  upon  the  lingual  surface  of 
incisors  and  cuspids  and  upon  the  occlusal  surface  of  bicuspids  and 
molars. 

This  access  may  consist  of  a  new  opening  or  an  extension  of  a  cavity, 
or  at  times  the  cavity  and  canal  may  simply  be  made  continuous. 


Fig.  438 


Fig.  441 


Fig.  442 


Fig.  443 


Fig.  444 


Fig.  445 


When  a  cavity  of  decay  exists  the  pulpal  wall  should  be  perforated 
and  a  large  bud  bur  should  be  used  to  cut  away  the  dentin  over- 
hanging the  pulp  cavity.  It  is  usually  necessary  to  extend  the  cavity 
in  the  central  occlusal  direction,  so  as  to  permit  direct  access  to 
each  canal  (Figs.  438  to  445). 

When  a  tooth  crown  would  be  irremediably  weakened  by  such  a 
course,  a  slight  indirectness  is  permissible  when  flexible  cleansers 
can  be  used  instead  of  drills.    This  leaving  of  tooth  structure  should 


THE  EXTIRPATION  OF   THE  PULP 


509 


be  done  with  judgment.  The  canals  must  be  cleansed.  In  cavity 
approaches  the  outer  wall  of  the  pulp  cavity  should  be  cut  away  to 
permit  an  obtuse-angled  approach  rather  than  a  right-angled  one 
(Figs.  443,  445,  A).  All  pulp  cavity  corners  should  be  burred  to  a 
shape  that  obviates  retention  of  pulp  debris,  the  subsequent  decom- 
position of  which  would  lead  to  discoloration.  The  opening  shown 
in  Fig.  441  is  faulty  for  this  reason,  and  is  better  if  extended  more 
toward  the  incisal  edge,  making  an  oblong  opening  with  rounded 
ends. 


Fig.  446 


\ 


H 


Kerr  or  Downie  broaches.     Various  finer  sizes  of  these  broaches  and  reamers  may  be  had. 
They  should  have  accurate  taper. 


In  sound  teeth  the  entrance  to  the  canal  is  made  with  a  small 
spear  drill,  after  the  enamel  has  had  a  "spot"  made  in  its  surface 
with  a  sharp  dentate  bur.  This  centres  the  spear  drill  and  prevents 
its  slipping  about.  After  it  has  entered  the  pulp  cavity  dentate  burs 
are  used  to  enlarge  the  opening  to  the  desired  size  and  shape.  A 
sawing  motion  creates  more  rapid  clearance  and  cutting  of  tooth 
tissue. 

One  should  not  always  suppose  that  the  spear  drill  will  drop  into 
an  appreciable  pulp  cavity.  The  careless  driving  of  a  drill  into  a 
tooth  may  cause  a  perforation.  Secondary  dentin  or  a  large  nodule, 
and,  in  previously  treated  teeth,  zinc  phosphate  may  occupy  the 
pulp  chamber.  Therefore,  when  doubt  arises,  open  well  that  portion 
of  tooth  or  filling  which  has  been  drilled  through,  and  note  the 
conditions,  then  go  ahead  carefully.     In  opening  a  located  pulp 


510      REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL   FILLING 

chamber  with  burs  a  bud  bur  is  very  useful,  but  all  burs  once  placed 
through  the  drill  hole  and  into  the  pulp  chamber  must  be  used 
laterally  or  the  heel  of  the  bur  used  with  an  outward  sweep  toward 
the  occlusal  aspect  for  the  sake  of  safety. 

The  canal  (or  canals)  is  now  to  be  explored,  and  if  of  operable 
size  a  Donaldson  cleanser  or  barbed  broach  is  passed  to  the  canal 


Fig.  447 


Fig.  44S 


Fig.  449 


Fig.  450 


Fig.  451 


Dr.  Donaldson's  pulp-canal  cleansers. 


apex,  twisted  so  as  to  engage  its  teeth  with 
the  pulp  substance,  and  the  pulp  extirpated. 

If  there  be  any  difficulty  in  finding  the 
canals  after  this  preparation,  by  reason  of  the 
broach  catching  on  the  edge  of  the  orifice,  the 
mouth  of  the  canal  should  be  made  contin- 
uous with  the  wall  of  the  pulp  chamber  by 
means  of  a  small  bud  bur.  The  wall  then 
leads  the  broach  into  the  root  lumen. 

In  single-rooted  teeth  with  finer  apices  a 
fine  Kerr  engine  root  reamer  (Fig.  446)  may 
be  passed  by  hand  to  the  apical  portion  of 
the  root  and  gently  rotated.  It  is  then 
mounted  in  the  hand  piece,  passed  gently  to 
the  apex,  slightly  withdrawn,  and  then 
operated  by  engine  power.  It  is  pressed 
lightly      laterally     to      enlarge      the     canal 

slightly.  The  next  larger  size  is  then  used  in  like  manner,  and 
finally  the  larger  admissible  sizes.  This  gives  a  beautifully  tapered 
canal  form  useful  in  canal  filling  and  for  the  adaptation  of  dowels. 
The  pulp  is  simultaneously  removed,  generally  being  churned  out 


Dr.  Donaldson's   spring-tem- 
pered nerve  bri.stles. 


THE  EXTIRPATION  OF  THE  PULP  511 

of  the  root,  and  danger  of  false  openings  is  avoided.  A  final  explor- 
ation and  apical  scraping  may  be  given  with  a  fine  Donaldson 
cleanser  (Figs.  447  to  460),  and  the  pulp  cavity  corners  rounded 
out  with  burs. 

This  technique  is  only  admissible  in  cases  of  openings  in  line  with 
the  pulp  axis.  Those  almost  in  such  line  may  have  the  flexible  sizes 
of  Kerr  reamers  so  used,  all  apexward  pressing  and  reaming  to  be 
done  by  hand  at  first.  When  general  anesthesia  is  employed  it  is 
better  to  open  roughly,  then  pass  a  fine  Donaldson  cleanser,  which 
has  been  previously  dipped  in  carbolic  acid  and  laid  aside  in  readiness, 
to  the  apex  of  the  root  canal.  It  is  given  a  few  turns  to  engage  the 
pulp,  and  the  latter  is  lifted  away.  The  other  work  is  to  be  done 
upon  return  to  consciousness. 

As  the  Kerr  broaches  and  reamers  are  made  of  a  variety  of  forms, 
it  should  be  stated  that  only  those  which  have  a  gradual  taper  from 
point  to  shank  can  be  relied  upon  to  satisfactorily  carry  out  this 
technique.  In  these  the  successive  sizes  follow  one  another  without 
danger  of  perforation  of  the  canal  walls. 

It  is  sometimes  better  to  drive  a  fine  hand  Kerr  broach  to  the  canal 
apex,  and,  if  the  engine  broach  be  not  permissible,  to  continue  with 
the  different  sizes  of  hand  broaches.  One  soon  obtains  a  familiarity 
Avith  the  canal  curve  and  size  when  working  with  the  hand  which 
gives  confidence  and  safety  when  later  working  with  engine  power. 

In  molar  teeth  and  upper  first  bicuspids,  after  the  pulp  chamber 
has  been  prepared,  the  canals  are  to  be  located  with  a  fine  smooth 
broach  or  a  Kerr  broach.  The  finest  root  reamer  is  then  used  by 
hand  and  gently  twisted  and  forced  apexward  into  each  canal  in 
turn.  The  next  smaller  is  then  used.  As  these  canals  are  normally 
somewhat  curved,  only  flexible  forms  should  be  used  unless  the 
larger  size  follows  readily  the  rather  curved  canal  made  by  the 
previous  one.  Following  this,  Donaldson  cleansers  are  operated  by 
hand  to  scrape  the  sides  and  inequalities  of  the  somewhat  flattened 
canals  which  the  reamers  have  not  reached  (Figs.  452  to  455).  When 
the  finest  Kerr  reamer  does  not  explore  the  canal  properly,  owing 
to  constrictions,  a  drop  of  50  per  cent,  sulphuric  or  pure  lactic  acid 
in  water  is  introduced  into  the  canal  and  a  smooth,  fine,  spring- 
tempered  Swiss  broach  is  used  to  gently  enlarge  it  by  drawing  it 
back  and  forth  in  the  canal.  Then  a  fine  Donaldson  cleanser  is  to 
be  used  in  the  same  manner;  later  the  larger  sizes  are  used.  If 
feasible,  the  Kerr  reamers  may  now  be  used,  when  direct  access  is 
had.  If  the  access  be  indirect  the  Donaldson  cleansers  only  should 
be  used. 


512     REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 

Some  operators  prefer  the  use  of  the  alloy  kahum-natrium,  used 
on  the  broach  as  a  means  of  facihtating  the  opening  of  the  canals. 

In  place  of  drills  the  process  of  canal  enlargement  devised  by 
Callahan^  may  be  employed.  The  general  cavity  wall  is  varnished 
to  prevent  the  action  of  the  acid  upon  the  dentin,  and  by  means  of  a 


Fig.  452 


Fig.  453 


Fig.  454 


Fig.  455 


pair  of  Flagg's  dressing  pliers  or  a  minim  dropper  a  drop  of  sul- 
phuric acid  (50  per  cent,  solution)  is  deposited  at  the  mouth  of  the 
canal  to  be  operated  upon.  The  finest  size  of  Donaldson's  canal 
cleanser  is  then  passed  into  the  canal  as  far  as  it  will  go,  using  a 


1  Proceedings  of  the  Ohio  State  Dental  Societj',  1894. 


THE  EXTIRPATION  OF  THE  PULP  513 

pumping  movement  to  carry  the  acid  farther  into  the  cahal  and  to 
scrape  the  canal  walls  softened  by  the  action  of  the  acid.  The  acid 
chemically  destroys  any  organic  matter — i.  e.,  pulp  tissue^present, 
releases  the  calcium  of  the  dentin  from  its  combination,  and  forms 
calcium  sulphate,  which  is  mechanically  removed  by  scrapers.  Care 
must  be  observed  not  to  strain  the  broaches  too  greatly,  as  they  may 
break.  The  operation  is  continued  until  the  apex  of  the  root  is 
reached.  F.  T.  Hayes  suggests  the  use  of  aqua  regia  as  less  injurious 
to  broaches;  lactic  acid  is  also  less  injurious.  When  the  cleanser  will 
not  enter  readily  it  is  well  to  file  away  the  barbs  from  an  old  cleanser 
and  leave  it  roughened,  and  to  use  it  for  a  time  with  the  acid  until 
the  cleanser  proper  can  be  employed.  Iridioplatinum  or  gold 
broaches  may  be  used  for  this  purpose. 

In  the  canals  of  posterior  teeth  short  cleansers  are  mounted  in  a 
chuck  handle  and  the  shank  sharply  bent  at  a  right  or  obtuse  angle. 
If  the  cleanser  bind  in  the  canal,  it  should  be  grasped  with  the  thumb 
and  forefinger  and  given  a  straight  pull  to 
relieve  it.  ^''^-  ^^^ 

If  acid  be  used  it  should  be  neutralized 
with  sodium  bicarbonate  or  sodium  dioxid. 
The  improved  Gates-Glidden  drill  (Fig.  456) 
has  some  use  in  the  enlargement  of  canals 
the  lumen  of  which  has  been  determined  by 
the  above  methods.  They  should  not  be 
used    for    the    preliminarv    opening  of    fine       improved     Gates-Giidden 

^  (•    1  1  I  nerve-canal    drill    for    engine 

canals,  as  they  tend  to  rorm  raise  channels     work. 
in  the   side  of  the   canals   which   constantly 

catch  even  fine  bristles  and  may  render  a  canal  into  a  form  even 
less  advantageous  than  that  it  already  possesses.  The  canal  filament 
of  pulps  in  molars  and  upper  first  bicuspids  may  be  lifted  away 
with  barbed  broaches  or  cleansers  if  the  canals  are  large,  but  it  is 
ordinarily  a  waste  of  time  to  attempt  it  in  the  finer  canals,  as  the 
other  work  must  be  done  in  the  apical  regions. 

The  use  of  5  per  cent,  formalin,  tannin,  or  alum,  to  be  specially 
applied  about  two  days  after  the  application  of  arsenic,  has  been 
suggested  for  the  toughening  of  pulps.  Their  use  necessitates  a  visit 
for  their  special  application.  They  toughen  the  pulp,  and,  while 
the  advantage  in  pulp  removal  is  offset  by  the  special  visit  needed, 
may,  in  fine  canals,  mummify  inaccessible  portions  of  pulp  tissue. 

The  point  of  importance  is  the  removal  from  the  pulp  canal  of 
all  removable  portions  of  pulp  tissue  and  an  enlargement  sufficient 
to  admit  a  satisfactory  root  filling.  It  is  an  open  question  whether 
in  multirooted  teeth  this  is  ever  complete,  or  whether  it  is  necessary 
that  it  be  made  absolutely  so,  regardless  of  other  dangers. 
33 


514     REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 

A  perfectly  safe  rule  for  mechanical  procedures  is  as  follows:  Use 
drills  only  when  they  advance  readily  into  the  root  lumen;  prefer 
Downie  Broaches  and  Donaldson  cleansers  under  other  circum- 
stances. Advance  no  large  reamers  into  delicate  apical  portions  of 
roots,  as  a  lateral  perforation  may  be  made.  If  a  fine  broach  cannot 
be  passed  through  the  apical  foramen,  do  not  attempt  its  enlarge- 
ment ;  and  it  is  better  to  preserve  a  normal  foramen,  as  large  foramina 
present  greater  difficulty  of  filling  than  normal  ones. 

If  doubt  exist  as  to  the  presence  of  a  portion  of  pulp  in  the  apex 
of  the  root,  papain  paste  may  be  placed  in  the  canals  for  a  few  days 
to  digest  the  remaining  pulp  tissue.     (See  Pulp  Digestion.) 

If  the  pulp  be  removed  as  far  as  possible  by  careful  work  and  the 
canal  sealed  to  that  point  with  a  mechanically  perfect  and  anti- 
septic root  filling,  it  is  improbable  that  any  future  trouble  will  arise, 
and  it  is  better  that  any  such  trouble  should  be  subsequently  treated  than 
that  immediate  trouble  should  be  set  up  by  perforation  in  an  endeavor 
to  force  a  finding  of  canals  which  a  very  fine  Downie  or  Kerr  cleanser, 
or  broach,  will  not  explore. 

This  technique  is,  as  a  rule,  bes^^arried  out  under  rubber  dam,  to 
prevent  the  septic  contaminatioj^B  canals  by  entrance  of  infected 
saliva;  but  if  this  be  impossible  ^K  wise  to  sterilize  the  mouth  and 
napkin  it,  and  to  place  a  drop  oFcarbolic  acid  or  formocresol  in  the 
canals  and  continue  the  work  under  antiseptic  precautions. 

It  is  wise  to  have  the  patient  first  brush  the  teeth,  using  soap  or  a 
tooth  paste  or  powder.  After  application  of  the  dam  or  napkin  the 
cavity  is  cleansed  of  the  ddg|^  of  decay  if  any  be  present.  Then 
the  cavity  is  to  be  wiped  OL^Kth  phenol  camphor.  Next  the  appli- 
cation of  cocain,  etc.,  is  mad^  Before  entering  the  pulp  chamber  or 
just  after,  a  drop  of  formocresol  is  to  be  placed  on  the  field  of 
operation  and  a  clean  bur  used  to  enter  the  pulp  cavity.  The  debris 
is  removed,  the  canals  located,  and  a  fresh  drop  of  formocresol 
placed  before  continuing  with  the  canal  work. 

As  the  napkins  become  wet  they  may  be  removed,  the  cavity 
douched  with  a  jet  of  warm  water,  the  patient  rested  for  a  moment, 
and  then  the  napkins  are  reapplied,  the  cavity  dried,  and  the  opera- 
tion repeated.  .^|gjAapkins  may  be  renewed  without  disturbing 
the  treatment,  bu^^is  often  desirable  to  wash  out  the  debris,  and 
the  rest  is  often  agreeable  to  the  patient. 

The  scraping  ovthe  canals  removes  the  possible  remnants  of 
pulp  tissue,  odontoblasts,  etc.,  adhering  to  the  dentin  walls,  and 
also  a  part  of  the  wall  with  the  large  ends  of  the  fibrils.  All 
these  are  decomposaMe  media,  may  become  septic,  and  are  wisely 
removed.       -       -'*' 


THE  EXTIRPATION  OF   THE  PULP  515 

The  final  removal  of  all  pulp  debris,  coagulated  blood,  etc.,  is  best 
done  with  a  fine  Donaldson  cleanser,  moved  to  and  fro  in  the  canal 
with  one  hand,  while  with  the  other  a  stream  of  warm  water  is  gently 
introduced  by  means  of  a  Moffat  syringe.  A  large  cottonoid  roll 
or  a  napkin  may  be  held  by  the  patient  or  assistant  to  absorb  the 
excess  of  moisture  when  the  rubber  dam  is  in  position. 

If  the  operations  have  been  done  under  antiseptic  precautions, 
the  root  is  ready  for  filling,  unless  irritation  of  the  apical  tissues  be 
severe,  in  which  case  a  sedative  antiseptic — e.  g.,  menthol  in  chloro- 
form— on  cotton  should  be  sealed  in  the  canal.  The  gum  should  be 
painted  with  iodin  as  a  counterirritant,  and  the  subsidence  of  the 
symptoms  awaited.     (See  Aseptic  Apical  Pericementitis.) 

Rhein  recommends  for  the  treatment  of  inaccessible  portions  of 
recently  devitalized  pulps  the  use  of  a  chemically  pure  zinc  point, 
to  be  placed  in  the  root  moistened  with  a  1  to  500  mercuric  chlorid 
in  hydrogen  dioxid  (3  per  cent,  solution)  and  the  anode  of  the 
cataphoric  appliance  applied  to  it,  the  cathode  sponge  to  be  placed 
under  the  dam  on  the  cheek.  P'rom  1  to  5  milliamperes  of  current 
are  used  and  maintained  for  from  three  to  seven  minutes,  according 
to  the  exigency. 

Zinc  oxychlorid  is  produced  and  carried  into  the  tissue. 

It  is  always,  perhaps,  safer  to  introduce  a  sealed  dressing  of  phenol 
camphor  plus  menthol  or  thymol  until  all  possible  hemorrhage  or 
irritation  has  subsided.  In  case  of  pressure  anesthesia  with  free 
hemorrhage  a  little  alum  and  thymol,  equal  parts,  is  well  added  to 
the  phenol  camphor,  or  even  a  dry  dressing,  to  absorb  any  secondary 
hemorrhage.     (Ottolengui.) 

Sometimes  it  is  desirable  to  mummify  any  possible  irremovable 
portion  of  pulp  or  the  fibrils  by  the  use  of  formalin  solutions  which 
are  usually  tolerated. 

The  carrying  out  of  canal  treatment  involves  a  knowledge  of  the 
topographical  anatomy  of  the  teeth  and  their  pulp  canals.  As  an 
aid  to  this  Figs.  457,  45S,  and  459  are  introduced,  showing  the  normal 
outlines  of  the  teeth  and  their  pulp  chambers;  Fig.  459  shows  the 
appearance  and  locations  of  the  pulp  canal  openings  at  their  coronal 
ends.  It  is  to  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  roots  are  not  always  normal 
as  shown  in  Fig.  458,  and  that  various  degrees  of  lack  of  development 
or  resorption  may  cause  the  root  canals  to  be  unusually  open  or  short, 
with  the  treatment  complicated  by  the  presence  of  vital  tissue  at  the 
root  ends.  In  a  general  way  it  may  be  stated  that  much  resorbed 
roots,  as  indicated  by  the  age  in  deciduous  teeth,  or  largely  incom- 
plete roots,  as  indicated  by  the  age  in  permanent  teeth,  indicate 
a  pulp  capping  operation  rather  than  extirpation;  in  the  permanent 


516      REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 

teeth,  to  permit  better  root  formation.    If  unavoidable,  one  must  do 
the  best  possible. 

In  the  penetration  and  enlargement  of  canals  the  larger  and 
straighter  canals  may  be  cleansed  thoroughly  to  the  apex,  but  in  very 
fine  and  tortuous  roots  (Figs:  461  to  489)  the  operator  is  often  con- 
fronted with  the  option  of  taking  the  chances  of  perforation  by 
forcing  further  entrance  or  of  leaving  some  doubtful  apical  portion 


DESCRIPTION  OF  FIGS.  457,  458,  AND  459.1 

Fig.  457. — Fig.  3  gives  in  contrast  a  sectional  view  of  deciduous  and  permanent  upper  teeth 
divided  through  their  lateral  diameters. 

Pig.  4,  a  sectional  view  of  the  corresponding  lower  teeth  divided  through  their  anteroposterior 
diameters :  a,  b,  c  represent  respectively  the  deciduous  and  permanent  front  incisors  in  contrast ; 
rf,  e,f,  the  lateral  incisors;  g,  h,  i,  the  canines;  k,  deciduous  molars,  upper  and  lower;  I,  m,  the 
successors  to  the  deciduous  molars,  the  bicuspids;  7i,  o,  represent  permanent  molars;  c,  f,  i,  m,  o, 
have  dotted  lines  indicating  the  thickness  of  enamel  removed  by  wear,  atrophy  of  the  cementum, 
and  reduction  in  the  size  of  the  pulp  due  to  progressive  calcification,  these  changes  being  incident 
to  old  age. 

Fig.  458  represents  in  Fig.  1,  letters _o  to  h  and  a  to  h,  the  longitudinal  or  vertical  sections  of 
the  sixteen  upper  teeth,  showing  the  labiopalatal  diameter  of  the  pulp  chamber  and  canal  in 
crown  and  roots,  the  section  of  the  molars  being  through  the  anterior  buccal  and  palatal  roots, 
while  the  bicuspids  d  e  and  d_e  illustrate  the  result  of  such  a  compression  of  the  root  as  to  divide 
the  pulp  chamber  into  two  canals — a  condition  which  so  frequently  exists  in  these  flattened  roots. 
The  double-lettered  series,  d  d  to  h  h  and  d_d  to  h  h,  represent  in  the  molars  a  section  through  the 
posterior  buccal  and  the  palatal  roots,  from  which  is  quite  readily  recognized  the  slightly  greater 
lateral  diameter  of  the  pulp  chamber  in  the  crown  and  the  larger  canal  in  the  posterior  buccal  root 
over  that  in  the  anterior  buccal  root,  while  the  bicuspids  lettered  e  e  d  d  and  dd  e  e  illustrate 
modified  pulp  chamber  and  canal,  with  bifurcation  of  the  root  in  one,  the.se  being  cut  through  a 
different  axis  or  plane  from  the  single-lettered  series. 

Fig.  2,  letters  a  to  h  and  a  to  ^  represent  the  sixteen  lower  teeth  with  the  section  through  their 
long  diameters,  as  in  the  upper  series.  These  incisors  illustrate  the  compressed  or  flattened  con- 
dition of  their  rooty  in  contrast  with  the  cylindrical  character  of  the  roots  of  the  upper  incisors, 
while  the  bicuspids  d  e  and  d_e  illustrate  the  singleness  of  their  pulp  chamber  and  the  cylindrical 
condition  of  their  roots  as  in  contrast  with  the  flattened  or  compressed  condition  of  the  roots  of 
the  upper  bicuspids.  The  molars  /,  g,  h  and  /,  g,  h  represent  sections  through  the  anterior  root, 
illustrating  its  compressed  condition  and  divided  pulp  chamber  in  the  first  and  second  molar,  and 
a  somewhat  flattened  one  in  the  anterior  root  of  the  third  molar;  f  f,  g  g,  h  h  and  f  f,  g  g,  h  h 
represent  the  single  and  cylindrical  pulp  chamber  in  the  posterior  root  of  the  lower  molars, 
while  b  b.  c  c  and  a  a,  b  b  represent  the  incisors  and  canines  of  the  same  series,  with  modified  pulp 
chambers  arising  from  modified  development. 

Fig.  459. — Fig.  1,  from  a  to  h  and  a  to  ^  represents  the  upper  teeth,  with  transverse  or  hori- 
zontal section  through  the  base  of  the  pulp  chamber  in  the  crown,  viewing  the  entrance  to  the 
canals  of  the  several  roots,  while  the  same  letters  in  Fig.  2  represent  the  lower  series  in  the  same 
m.anner. 

Fig.  3  represents  the  upper  teeth,  with  the  transverse  or  horizontal  section  made  below  the 
largest  diameter  of  the  pulp  chamber  and  through  the  canals  after  they  have  diverged  from  the 
central  chamber,  but  before  the  roots  into  which  they  run  have  in  the  molars  bifurcated. 

Fig.  4  in  like  manner  represents  the  lower  series,  well  illustrating  the  flattened  or  compressed 
condition  of  the  canal  in  anterior  roots  of  the  molars  and  the  di\'ision  of  the  chamber,  as  is  fre- 
quently found  in  the  roots  of  the  lower  incisors. 

The  letters  a  a,  b  b,  c  c,  d  d,ff,  dd,  and  e_e  (Fig.  3)  represent  the  relative  shapes,  whether  cir- 
cular, oval,  or  flattened,  of  the  pulp  canal  in  the  roots  of  the  upper  central  and  lateral  incisors, 
the  canines,  the  first  and  .second  bicuspids,  and  the  first,  second,  and  third  molars,  while  the  same 
letters  in  Fig.  4  represent  the  relative  shapes  of  the  pulp  canal  in  similar  teeth  in  the  lower  series. 

'  These  figures  are  taken  from  v.  Carabelli's  Anatomic  des  Mundes. 


^  c 


THE  EXTIRPATION  OF   THE  PULP 


519 


'/         0 


5£ 


*/i 


.0 


^^04 


520      REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 


uncleansed.  To  further  perfect  the  operation  of  canal  cleansing  a 
radiograph  may  be  taken  as  indicated  by  Rhein,  and  the  cavity 
extension  made  so  as  to  permit  as  direct  an  access  as  possible  (Fig. 
460).    In  very  bad  cases  the  decision  should  be  that  the  danger  of 


Fig.  460 


Fig.  461 


Fig.  462        Fig.  463 


Distal 


-mesial 


Diagram  illustrating  the  inaprovement  In  access  C,  to 
the  deeper  portions  of  enamel  by  cutting  in  accordance 
with  a  radiograph.  The  dotted  line  shows  the  ordinary 
opening  permitting  the  access  6  b.     (Rhein.) 


Upper  lateral  incisors.     (Ottolengui.) 


Fig.  464 


Fig.  465 


Fig.  466 


0 


Fig.  467 


Upper  canines. 
Fig.  468 


Fig.  469 


Upper  first  bicuspids. 


perforation  is  the  greater  evil,  and  agents  of  a  mummifying  character 
should  be  employed  to  render  any  such  filament  into  a  state  lessening 
the  danger  of  subsequent  putrefaction. 


THE  EXTIRPATION  OF   THE  PULP 

Fig    470  Kig.  471 


\2\ 


h  a 

Upper  second  biouspid. 


Fig.  472 


Upper  molar. 
Fig.  475 


Fig.  473 


'  > 


Fig.   47G 


Fig.  479 


h  a 

Upper  fir.st  molar. 
Fig.  474 


h  a 

Upper  second  molars. 
Fig.  477 


Fig.  480 


Upper  molars.     (Ottolengui.) 
Fig.  481 


Upper  third  molars. 


522     REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 


The  writer  regards  the  use  of  formocresol  (equal  parts  of  37  per 
cent,  aqueous  formaldehyd  solution  and  cresol)  as  especially  valu- 


FiG.  482 


Fifi.  48(j 


a 

Lower  first  molar. 
Fig.  488 


Fig.  483 


Fig.  484 


Lower  bicuspids. 


Lower  first  molars. 


Fig.  487 


Lower  first  molar,  immature. 
Fig.  489 


Lower  second  rjiolar. 


Lower  third  molar. 


able  where  immediate  root  filling  is  not  indicated.  If  the  patient  be 
of  a  nervous  and  irritable  type  this  may  be  diluted  to  5  or  10  per  cent, 
formaldehyd  strength  by  the  use  of  cresol  or  camphophenique  without 


ACCIDENTS  IN  CANAL  OPENING  523 

impairing  its  value.  Often  the  full  strength  may  be  used  on  cotton 
as  a  temporary  dressing.  This  hardens  any  remaining  pulp  and 
also  probably  the  fibrils  in  the  tubules.  It  also  permits  the  apical 
tissue  to  heal  and  resume  its  normal  sensitivity  when  the  pulp  has 
been  entirely  removed,  which  is  of  value  in  determining  the  extent 
to  which  pressure  may  be  applied  in  filling  the  canals.  In  anterior 
teeth  it  is  better  to  use  aqueous  formaldehyd  solutions,  as  the 
cresol  may  cause  discoloration,  but  in  these  situations  more  perfect 
mechanical  work  can  be  done. 

In  a  few  cases  in  which  cervical  cavities  obliterate  the  canal  or 
cause  annoying  approach  to  it,  it  is  desirable  to  remedy  the  condition. 
In  such  case  the  canals  are  opened  as  usual  and  enlarged,  and  the 

Fig.  490 


Method  of  restoring  lost  canal  continuity.    The  cavity  should  have  more  retention  form  than 

shown:  a,  amalgam. 


cavity  prepared  with  suitable  retentions  for  filling.  The  last-used 
reamer  is  then  to  be  placed  in  the  canal  and  the  filling  inserted.  The 
filling  is  then  supported  by  pressure  while  the  reamer  is  slowly 
twisted  to  the  right  and  withdrawn,  leaving  a  canal  through  the 
filling.  This  may  be  done  with  amalgam  or  with  zinc  phosphate  if  a 
later  removal  be  required.  If  the  root  be  much  weakened,  a  tapering 
dowel  may  be  cemented  through  the  crown  and  canal,  thus  attaching 
the  root  to  the  crown  more  firmly  (Fig.  490). 


ACCroENTS  IN  CANAL  OPENING 

The  chief  accidents  that  may  occur  are  the  perforation  of  the  root 
wall  and  the  breaking  of  the  instruments  used.  If  the  technique  laid 
down  be  carefully  followed  the  danger  of  perforation  is  practically 


524     REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 

eliminated.  In  fact,  the  greatest  danger  is  the  penetration  and 
enlargement  of  the  apical  foramen.  To  avoid  this  the  Kerr  reamers 
should  always  be  passed  to  the  apex  of  the  canal  by  hand  or  while 
the  reamer  is  not  revolving.  It  is  then  withdrawn  a  trifle  and 
revolved,  and  one  may  always  judge  the  distance  the  reamer  was 
withdrawn.  Accidents  are  usually  the  result  of  thoughtless  forward 
pressure  of  reamers  and  drills,  and  care  will  reduce  this  to  a  minimum. 
Sometimes  one  must  take  the  chances  with  the  Kerr  engine  reamer. 
When  doubt  exists  as  to  canal  locations,  the  desiccation  of  the 
pulp  chamber  is  of  great  assistance  by  bringing  them  into  view,  and 
if  secondary  deposits  exist  one  should  always  use  a  small  bud  bur 
and  keep  well  within  the  limits  of  the  dentin  of  a  root  while  gently 
seeking  a  canal  lumen. 

Frequent  exploration  should  follow  gentle  advances,  and,  as  a  rule, 
the  canal  will  be  found  of  fairly  normal  size  just  beyond  the  point 
of  constriction.  In  some  cases  50  per  cent,  sulphuric  acid  should  be 
sealed  against  the  suspected  canal  and  the  operation  deferred  to 
another  sitting. 

If  a  perforation  be  accidentally  made  it  should  be  covered  as  in 
any  case  of  perforation  (which  see). 

Always  one  should  be  able  to  diagnosticate  such  an  opening  and 
arsenic  should  never  be  apphed  to  such.  Cases  of  extensive  necrosis 
have  occurred  from  carelessness  in  this  direction.  The  breakage  of 
broaches  is  largely  avoidable  through  the  use  of  new  instruments  and 
by  adhering  to  the  rule  of  using  the  smaller  sizes  until  the  canals  are 
sufficiently  enlarged  to  permit  the  use  of  larger  sizes,  and,  in  case  of 
engine  reamers,  of  starting  the  power  with  the  reamer  loose  in  the 
canal.  The  engine  broach  seems  to  be  of  better  temper  than  the 
engine  reamer. 

Accidents  of  this  sort  usually  occur  with  barbed  instruments  of 
the  Donaldson  cleanser  type,  especially  when  used  with  force.  Sul- 
phuric acid  tends  to  disintegrate  the  broach,  so  that  lactic  acid  is 
often  better  used  with  it,  or  the  alloy  of  sodium  and  potassium  with 
a  smooth  broach  will  open  the  canal  so  that  the  cleanser  will  not 
bind.  If  it  does  it  should  be  grasped  with  the  thumb  and  finger 
and  given  a  straight  pull. 

While  avoidance  is  far  better  than  the  application  of  the  remedy, 
if  the  accident  occur,  the  broach  should  be  removed  if  possible. 

If  lying  loosely  in  the  canal  a  new  cleanser  may  be  passed  to  one 
side  of  it  and  then  be  pressed  against  it.  It  should  engage  the  barbs 
and  jig  it  out. 

Cotton  wrapped  on  a  small  Swiss  broach  may  be  pressed  down  at 
one  side  of  the  broken  broach  and  its  fibers  made  to  engage  its  barbs. 


THE  FILLING  OF  ROOT  CANALS 


525 


Moving  the  broach  back  and  forth  while  sulphuric  acid,  sodium 
dioxid,  or  sodium  and  potassium  is  about  it,  will  sometimes  loosen 
it.  One  may  sometimes  drill  to  one  side  of  a  broken  instrument  with 
a  Kerr  hand  broach  in  order  to  more  readily  engage  it  with  a  barbed 
instrument.  If  very  loose  a  magnetized  probe 
will  attract  it  and  draw  it  out.  Fig.  491 

If  the  broach  be  tightly  fixed  in  the  canal,  ?> 

sodium  chlorid,  tincture  of  iodin,  sulphuric  acid, 
aqua  regia,  or  25  per  cent,  pyrozone  may  be 
sealed  in,  in  the  hope  of  chemically  disintegrat- 
ing it. 

The  head  of  a  Gates-Glidden  drill  or  Kerr 
reamer  is  treated  in  the  same  manner.  Some- 
times in  straight  roots  the  How  appliance 
shown  in  Fig.  491  is  useful. 

If  any  broach  be  irremovable,  iodoform  paste 
or  embalming  paste  should  be  packed  over  it 
and  sealed  in,  in  order  to  keep  the  part  perma- 
nently sterile.  In  a  septic  case  the  formocresol 
treatment  should  precede  such  root  filling. 

THE  FILUNG  OF  ROOT  CANALS 

In  all  cases  in  which  the  removal  of  the 
dental  pulp  from  the  canals  is  necessary,  it  is 
imperative  that  the  pulp  canals  shall  be  filled 
with  some  substance  that  shall  mechanically 
obliterate  it  by  sealing  it  throughout  its  length 
in  order  to  prevent  the  ingress  of  fluid  either 
from  the  mouth  or  apical  tissue.  Such  fluid 
is  liable  to  putrefaction,  and  the  results  of 
putrefaction  follow.  If  made  antiseptic,  it  also 
tends  to  kill  out  any  bacteria  which  may  find 
a  partial  entrance.  The  mechanical  sealing 
may  be  defective,  even  when  the  best  possible 
eflFort  is  put  forth  to  make  it  perfect,  so  that  the 
addition  of  more  or  less  permanent  antiseptics 
is  valuable. 

It  matters  little  whether  a  canal  filling  is  hard  or  soft  provided  it 
seals  the  canal  permanently,  that  it  is  permanently  antiseptic,  non- 
irritating,  and  that  it  is  not  disturbed  by  any  subsequent  work.  It 
is  better  that  it  be  capable  of  removal  with  a  reasonable  amount  of 
safe  work. 


Split  and  threaded  in- 
strument for  engaging 
the  shank  of  a  Gates- 
Glidden  drill. 


526      REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 

It  also  makes  very  little  difference  whether  the  pulp  has  been 
removed  while  aseptic  or  has  been  in  a  septic  state,  provided  the 
canal  has  been  rendered  sterile  by  appropriate  means. 

In  other  words,  when  the  canal  is  aseptic  and  the  apical  tissues 
sterile  and  healthy,  the  canal  is  ready  for  filling.  The  length  of  time 
this  may  require  also  makes  no  difference.  Therefore,  what  is  here 
said  applies  to  all  cases  requiring  root  filling.  The  size  of  the  apical 
foramen,  the  presence  of  inaccessible  apical  portions  of  canals,  the 
presence  of  perforations  and  some  other  conditions,  however,  indi- 
cate a  choice  of  some  root  filling  rather  than  others,  so  that  there  is 
no  absolute  rule  for  all  cases. 

The  following  root  canal  fillings  are  useful. 

Gutta-percha. — This  is  usually  the  ordinary,  low  heat,  pink  gutta- 
percha base  plate  containing  vermilion  and  zinc  oxid.  Cones  may 
be  rolled  or  left  with  fiat  sides.  Prepared  cones  may  be  purchased 
which  have  an  accurate  taper  and  are  either  round  or  fiat-sided. 
The  fiat  side  permits  any  adjunct  plastic  filling  material  or  solvent 
to  fiow  down  the  side  of  the  cone  rather  than  be  forced  toward  the 
apex. 

Temporary  stopping  may  be  melted  in  a  spoon  and  aristol  added 
to  it.  It  is  then  rolled  into  cones  for  use.  Instead,  a  stick  of  it  may 
be  warmed  at  a  point  away  from  the  end  and  then  be  pulled  out  into 
two  cones  which  may  be  further  rolled  out.  They  may  be  rolled  in 
powdered  aristol  if  desired. 

Chloro-percha. — This  is  a  solution  of  gutta-percha  base-plate  in 
chloroform.  Usually  a  quantity  of  aristol  or  iodoform  is  added  to 
make  it  antiseptic.  As  it  shrinks  in  hardening  it  should  be  used  in 
conjunction  with  gutta-percha  cones  or  carried  upon  cotton  twist 
or  upon  fioss  silk,  which  it  saturates,  transforming  them  practically 
into  a  solid  mass  when  the  chloroform  evaporates. 

Eucolypto-percha  (euca-percha) .— The  basis  of.  this  substance  is  a 
solution  of  gutta-percha  base-plate  in  eucalyptol.  To  this  various 
antiseptics  may  be  added.  There  are  various  modes  of  making  this 
substance.    B.  L.  Cochran'^  suggests  the  following: 

I^ — Gutta-percha  base-plate §ss 

Dissolve  in  chloroform  q.  s.  to  a  thin  solution. 

Add  saturated  solution  of  thymol  in  eucalyptol f.^ss. 

Let  the  chloroform  evaporate. 

Euca-percha  Compound  (Buckley,  Lilly)  is  a  simple  solution  of 
base-plate  in  eucalyptol  made  by  aid  of  heat. 

Formo-percha  (Blair)  has  paraform  and  oil  of  cassia  added. 

»  Dental  Review,  1905. 


THE  FILLING  OF  ROOT  CANALS  527 

This  material  may  be  warmed  into  a  creamy  paste  and  be  used 
either  on  cotton  or  be  used  in  conjunction  with  gutta-percha  cones. 

Zinc  Oxychlorid. — This  consists  of  the  ordinary  zinc  oxychlorid 
cement,  which  consists  of  modified  calcined  zinc  oxid  for  the  powder 
and  diluted  zinc  chlorid  as  the  fluid. 

It  is  antiseptic  for  a  time  at  least,  and  may  have  iodoform  incor- 
porated with  it  if  desired.  It  is  carried  to  place  on  a  thread  of 
cotton,  or  may  be  used  with  gutta-percha  cones.  The  addition  of  a 
trifle  of  glycerin  retards  setting. 

A  so-called  embalming  paste  is  prepared  as  follows: 

ft — Paraform 1  part 

Thymol    .  1  part 

Glycerin  .  1  part 

Zinc  oxid  1  part  or  more. 

Or, 

R— Paraform  1  part 

Thymol  .2  parts 

Alum .1  part 

Zinc  oxid                           ....      2  parts 

Creosote  to  a  thick  or  thin  paste. 

This  is  used  as  a  temporary  germicidal  canal  dressing  on  cotton 
or  as  a  root-filling  with  gutta-percha  or  temporary  stopping  cones 
which  are  pressed  into  it. 


Fig.  492 


Fig.  493 


Radiograph  of  a  perfect  gutta-percha  root  filling. 
(Rhein.) 


Root-canal  filling:  .1,  gutta-percha;  B,  zinc 
oxychlorid. 


Wax  or  Paraflftn. — Either  of  these  may  have  a  third  of  its  bulk  of 
salol,  aristol,  or  iodoform,  or  a  fifth  of  paraform  added  to  it  while 
melted  in  a  spoon.  It  is  then  rolled  into  cones  or  small  pellets.  In 
use  a  pellet  is  dropped  into  the  dried  pulp  chamber  and  a  hot  Evans 
root  drier  point  applied.  As  it  melts,  the  metal  point  is  carried  down 
into  the  root  and  the  fluid  material  pumped  to  the  apex.  Capillarity 
does  part  of  the  work.    It  adjusts  itself  to  the  tissue  and  the  canal 


528      REMOVAL  OF    DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 

walls.  The  pulp  chamber  is  then  cleared  of  excess  wax,  etc.,  and 
filled  without  pressure. 

Salol. — This  is  a  solid  antiseptic,  melting  at  104°  F.  It  is  used 
much  as  paraffin  is.  A  gutta-percha  cone  may  be  thrust  into  it 
while  fluid.  It  often  seems  to  disappear  from  canals,  and  unless 
used  with  paraffin  is  to  be  used  only  as  a  temporary  root  filling. 

Canada  Balsam. — A  solution  of  Canada  balsam  in  chloroform  to 
which  hydronaphthol  is  added  (Williams)  makes  a  useful  solution 
in  which  to  saturate  cotton  twists  or  to  moisten  canals  previous  to 
the  introduction  of  a  cone  of  gutta-percha.  Balsam  of  Peru  is  now 
on  trial,  but  its  soft  condition  is  liable  to  render  it  a  failure. 


Fig.  494 


Fig.   493 


A,  perforation  through  side  of  apex;  D, 
cone  of  gutta-percha  passing  through;  B, 
portion  to  be  cut  off;  C,  portion  of  canal  not 
treated. 


Lateral  perforation  due  to  holding  a  bur 
at  a  wrong  angle  to  the  axis  of  the  root:  A, 
root  canal  subsequently  filled  with  gutta- 
percha; B,  perforation  filled  with  a  fitted 
cone  of  gutta-percha;  C,  zinc  oxychlorid. 


Normal  Tapering  Well-opened  Canals. — In  these  canals  gutta-percha 
is  admirable;  a  little  eucalyptol  is  applied  to  the  canal  walls  and  a 
section  of  a  suitable  cone  mounted  by  heat  on  the  end  of  a  canal 
plugger  which  will  go  to  or  nearly  to  the  canal  end  is  gently  but 
firmly  pressed  into  the  apex  of  the  canal.  Temporary  stopping  cones 
are  more  readily  adapted,  and  as  they  can  be  made  antiseptic,  are 
valuable. 

The  rest  of  the  canal  is  then  filled  with  other  sections  or  with  zinc 
oxychlorid  made  thin  and  carried  to  place  on  cotton  twists.  The 
latter  may  be  used  for  the  entire  canal,  and  should  then  be  preceded 
by  a  tiny  bit  of  cotton  saturated  with  an  essential  oil  to  prevent 
irritation  of  the  apical  tissue.  It  is  claimed  that  this  cotton  is  acted 
upon  by  the  zinc  chlorid  being  transformed  into  an  amyloid  condition. 
If  used  alone  a  slight  degree  of  moisture  aids  in  carrying  to  the 
apical  foramen  (Fig.  495). 

A  variant  consists  in  moistening  the  canal  with  chloro-percha  or 
eucalypto-percha,  and  using  the  section  of  cone  or  pressing  in  an 
entire  cone.    A  second  cone  may  be  placed  at  the  side  of  the  first  and 


THE  FILLING  OF  ROOT  CANALS  529 

both  compacted  after  warming  with  a  hot  air  blast,  or  the  first  cone 
alone  used. 

Ottolengiii  advises  the  use  of  bits  of  floss  silk  an  inch  long  to  be 
saturated  with  chloropercha  and  dried.  These  are  to  be  pressed 
into  chloro-percha  previously  placed  in  the  canal  and  crimped  to 
place.  An  end  is  left  projecting  into  the  pulp  chamber.  If  necessary 
this  may  be  caught  and  the  dressing  withdrawn. 

Another  variant  is  the  use  of  chloro-percha  on  cotton,  which  makes 
a  very  accurate  and  easily  introduced  root  filling  when  carried  to 
place  on  a  properly  formed  and  tempered  Swiss  broach  or  prepared 
Donaldson  bristle. 

When  the  broach  must  be  bent  to  enter  canals,  loosen  the  broach 
first  before  introducing  into  the  canal,  thus  leaving  the  cotton 
loosely  mounted  on  the  broach.  To  prepare  a  Donaldson  bristle  cut 
oft'  the  hook  and  flatten  the  end  upon  an  Arkansas  stone,  then  lay 
upon  a  glass  slab  and  burnish  thoroughly  to  remove  any  bur  left. 
In  use  the  cotton  and  broach  are  rolled  with  the  left  forefinger  and 
thumb  only.  It  is  obvious  that  to  do  this  the  broach  must  be  per- 
fectly straight.  The  writer  believes  the  prepared  Swiss  broach  not 
only  more  facile  but  economical  in  use. 

To  prepare  broaches,  select  accurately  tapering  Swiss  or  English 
broaches  from  which  the  temper  has  not  been  drawn.  Xext,  draw  the 
temper  by  placing  a  few  in  a  test-tube  and  heating  first  at  the  shank, 
gradually  drawing  the  tube  over  the  flame  toward  the  points.  The 
blue  color  seen  on  the  shank  should  be  run  out  to  the  tip;  let  cool 
on  any  open  surface.  The  soft  broaches  usually  sold  are  nearly 
useless.  The  point  is  left  if  canal  exploration  is  intended.  For 
carrying  cotton  twists,  cut  the  end  off  with  scissors.  To  wind  the 
cotton  lay  a  wisp  on  the  left  forefinger,  lay  the  broach  upon  it,  close 
down  the  thumb,  then  quickly  revolve  the  broach  with  the  right 
forefinger  and  thumb,  stroking  the  cotton  with  those  of  the  left 
hand  into  a  symmetrical  cone.  To  use  as  a  swab,  rotate  in  the  canal 
to  the  right.  To  leave  the  cotton  in  the  canal,  rotate  to  the  right 
as  the  twist  is  pressed  to  the  apex.  Then  turn  the  broach  once  or 
twice  to  the  left  to  loosen  it  from  the  cotton,  withdraw  a  little,  then 
press  in  again.    Thus  the  cotton  is  crimped  upon  itself. 

Roots  with  Open  Foramina. — These  may  be  incomplete  roots  with 
very  large  apical  openings,  in  which  case  wax  with  aristol  is  the  best 
filling  used,  as  previously  stated.  It  should  be  said  again,  however, 
that  if  possible  the  pulp  of  such  a  tooth  should  be  capped  to  permit 
root  formation  to  be  completed. 

If  the  foramen  is  of  moderate  extent  and  either  natural  or  unfor- 
tunately made  with  drills,  gutta-percha  cones  are  valuable.  To 
34 


530      REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 

determine  the  size  of  the  cone,  one  of  two  methods  may  be  employed. 
Perhaps  the  more  accurate  is  the  employment  of  a  series  of  gradually 
increasing  sizes  of  canal  pluggers.  One  should  be  selected  which  will 
just  fit  the  apex  or  be  a  trifle  too  large.  By  placing  this  in  the  hole  of 
a  draw  plate,  a  specially  rolled  cone  or  even  a  slightly  tapering  size 
may  be  made  to  fit  the  hole  in  the  plate.  The  canal  is  moistened  with 
eucalyptol  or  chloro-percha  and  a  quarter-inch  section  of  the  cone  is 
carried  on  the  plugger  to  its  place  in  the  root-canal  apex.  A  slight 
protrusion  is  not  ordinarily  productive  of  injury.  A  cardboard  per- 
forated by  the  respective  plugger  mil  do  instead  of  the  draw  plate. 
If  the  root  length  was  previously  measured  with  a  piece  of  rubber 
dam  slipped  over  the  plugger  shank  and  some  known  point  on  the 
tooth  used  as  a  guide,  the  cone  should  be  seen  to  go  do^^Ti  until  it 
chokes  the  foramen,  when  the  dam  should  be  above  the  guide  point 
a  distance  equal  to  the  length  of  the  cone  section  used. 


Fig.  496 


Fig.  497 


Manner  of  measuring  the  length  of  a  root 
and  fitting  a  gutta-percha  cone. 


-a 


Manner  of  tapering  a  canal  to  fit  a  cone  of 
the  same  size. 


--(^ 


In  the  second  method  a  long,  tapering  cone  is  prepared.  Some 
point  on  this  must  fit  the  foramen.  It  is  tried  in  and  as  often  as 
sensation  is  felt  it  is  cut  off  a  trifle  and  tried  again  until  it  chokes 
the  foramen  without  sensation. 

In  case  of  abscess,  especially  if  filling  is  a  means  to  a  cure,  this  may 
extend  beyond  the  apex  of  the  tooth. 

The  cone  should  be  marked  at  a  point  corresponding  to  the  guide 
point  chosen  and  be  laid  aside.  Next,  a  fine  hook  made  by  bending 
the  tip  of  a  fine  broach  to  a  right  angle,  then  cutting  it  close  to  the 
shank,  has  a  piece  of  rubber  dam  slipped  over  it  and  is  passed  through 
the  apex  and  hooked  upon  the  edge  (Fig.  496).    The  dam  is  slipped 


THE  FILLING  OF  ROOT  CANALS  531 

to  the  chosen  guide  point.  The  probe  hook  is  withdrawn,  the  dam 
laid  at  the  mark  on  the  cone,  and  the  cone  cut  off  at  the  lower  edge 
of  the  hook  (Fig.  496,  h).  In  use,  a  little  solvent,  preferably  chloro- 
percha,  is  placed  in  the  canal  and  the  cone  slowly  slipped  to  place 
until  the  mark  coincides  with  the  guide  point.  The  cone  is  then  cut 
off  with  a  hot  instrument,  warmed,  and  gently  packed  into  the  canal. 

When  the  canal  has  been  reamed  with  a  small  engine  reamer,  and 
the  apex  enlarged,  the  hook  may  be  placed  and  have  a  bit  of  rubber 
dam  on  it  as  a  guide.  Then  slip  a  bit  of  dam  over  a  larger  tapering 
root  reamer  at  a  corresponding  length.  Drive  the  reamer  in  until  at 
the  guide  point.  This  gives  a  tapering  cone  shape  to  the  canal  and  is  a 
guide  in  the  construction  of  the  cone  (Fig.  497). 

In  some  cases  of  large  foramina  or  perforation  a  bit  of  grafting 
sponge  may  be  introduced  into  the  apical  space  and  the  filling  placed 
against  it.^ 

Canals  with  Inaccessible  Apices. — Any  tissue  in  such  apices  should 
have  been  mummified  or  sterilized  with  formocresol  or  be  treated 
by  Rhein's  method^  of  filling  a  canal  with  mercuric  chlorid  in  hydro- 
gen dioxid  (1  to  500),  passing  in  a  zinc  probe,  then  applying  the 
anode  of  a  cataphoric  outfit  with  from  1  to  5  milliamperes  of  current 
from  three  to  seven  minutes  (the  cathode  at  the  cheek).  The  object 
is  to  form  zinc  oxy chlorid  in  the  apical  root  canal  through  electro- 
lytic action.  The  canal  must  be  regarded  as  doubtful,  but  if  well 
opened  to  the  inaccessible  portion  a  trifle  of  formo-percha  may  be 
placed  on  cotton  at  this  point  and  the  balance  of  the  canal  be  filled 
with  antiseptic  temporary  stopping.  The  paraform  and  cassia  in  the 
formo-percha  are  active  agents. 

A  variant  consists  in  the  use  of  embalming  paste  or  Soderberg's 
mummifying  paste,  either  made  stiff  and  introduced  with  successive 
sizes  of  pluggers,  beginning  with  the  largest  admissible  and  proceeding 
to  the  smallest,  or  moistening  the  canal  with  the  thinner  paste  and 
packing  a  cone  into  it.  The  use  of  such  a  paste  in  connection  with  a 
cone  of  gutta-percha  is  valuable  as  an  agent  embalming  the  fibrils 
in  the  dentin  of  teeth  from  which  living  pulps  have  been  removed, 
or  of  keeping  sterile  the  tubules  of  those  teeth  in  which  the  pulp 
is  gangrenous. 

If  conditions  admit  of  it,  provision  for  future  entrance  of  the  canals 
should  be  made,  and  it  is  always  well  to  divide  the  operation  of  canal 
filling  and  crown  filling  by  a  short  period  of  time. 

Iodoform  paste  with  or  without  cotton  may  be  placed  in  the  upper 
third  of  the  canal. 

'  G.  Brunton,  England:  Dental  Cosmos,  1900. 
2  Dental  Cosmos,  1905,  p.  1196. 


532     REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL   FILLING 

Root  Canals  in  Temporary  Teeth. — These  may  at  times  be  well  filled 
with  gutta-percha  points,  which,  if  aseptic,  do  not  interfere  with 
resorption,  but  a  material  of  easier  adaptation  which  absorbs  with 
the  root  is  preferable.  The  waxes  meet  the  indications,  as  they  can 
be  pumped  while  fluid  from  the  action  of  a  hot  root  drier  into  all 
inequalities,  where  they  adjust  their  relation  to  the  soft  tissue. 

Buckley  recommends  in  cases  of  chronic  abscess  the  use  of  a  stiff 
mixture  of  calcium  phosphate  and  formocresol  (formalin,  1  part; 
cresol,  2  parts),  to  be  packed  into  the  pulp  cavity  and  zinc  phosphate 
flowed  over  it. 

Johnson  recommends  eucalypto-percha  to  be  pumped  into  the 
canals  and  pressure  with  temporary  stopping  to  be  exerted  until  the 
solution  appears  at  the  fistula.  Such  temporary  stopping  as  does  not 
interfere  with  filling  integrity  should  be  left. 

There  are  various  other  methods  of  filling  root  canals,  such  as 
driving  wood  points  saturated  in  carbolic  acid  into  the  canals;  the 
use  of  iodoform  paste,  with  or  without  cotton,  or  of  creosote  on  cotton 
(preferably  raw  cotton) ;  the  use  of  balsamo  del  deserto,  etc.,  which 
have  had  advocates,  but  the  methods  given  are  those  which  have  had 
long-continued  and  successful  use. 

The  Covering  of  the  Root  Canal  Filling. — The  Jbulb  of  the  pulp 
chamber  may  be  filled  with  any  of  the  more  solid  materials.  In  case 
of  a  strong  crown,  temporary  stopping  makes  a  good  occupant  of 
this  cavity,  though  gutta-percha  is  often  used;  oxychlorid  of  zinc 
aids  in  keeping  good  color.  In  the  weaker  teeth  or  sometimes  for 
other  reasons  the  final  filling  may  extend  into  the  pulp  canal  to 
assist  in  anchorage. 

Fig.  498 


Herbst's  method  of  preserving  pulp  stumps. 

Partial  Removal  of  Pulp. — The  Cobalt  method  of  pulp  treatment 
has  been  alluded  to.  Wm.  Herbst,  of  Bremen,  advanced  the  idea 
that  if  the  bulbous  portion  of  the  pulp  be  devitalized  by  cobalt  and 
removed,  leaving  the  root  portions,  the  latter  will  remain  vital  if 
protected  after  a  manner  described  by  him.  The  bulbous  portion 
of  the  pulp  is  cut  away  and  the  pulp  chamber  enlarged  by  means  of 


MUMMIFICATION  OF   THE  PULP  533 

large  rose  burs.  Over  the  pulp  stumps  a  cylinder  of  tin-foil  is  laid, 
and  burnished  to  fit  the  floor  of  the  pulp  chamber  without  pressure 
upon  the  pulp  stumps  (Fig.  498) .  Over  this  a  filling  is  placed.  Herbst 
claims  that  the  pulp  stumps  will  remain  vital.  Were  this  to  be 
depended  upon,  it  would  be  a  marked  saving  of  time  and  trouble  and 
would  lessen  the  chances  of  pericementitis  subsequent  to  pulp 
removal;  but  when  it  is  known  that  the  cobalt  of  Herbst  is  metallic 
arsenic,  the  ultimate  death  and  decomposition  of  the  pulp  remnants 
seem  almost  inevitable,  and  in  fact  does  occur.  The  method  should 
not  be  employed. 


MUMMIFICATION  OF  THE  PULP 

Many  experiments  have  been  performed  relative  to  leaving  in  situ 
portions  of  pulps  and  covering  them  with  substances  having  for  their 
object  the  chemical  alteration  of  the  pulp  tissue,  so  that  no  peri- 
cementitis shall  result  from  its  putrefaction.  The  first  effort  in  this 
direction  is  credited  to  Witzel  in  1874. 

INIiller,^  after  many  experiments  w^th  various  materials,  has  shown 
that  none  but  the  most  powerful  and  penetrating  antiseptics  have 
value  as  permanent  sterilizers.  These  are  the  cyanid,  bichlorid, 
and  salicylate  of  mercury,  sulphate  of  copper,  and  oil  of  cinnamon. 
Orthocresol,  carbolic  acid,  trichlorphenol,  and  zinc  chlorid  penetrate 
the  pulp  tissue  rapidly,  but  are  too  diffusible,  their  effects  disappear- 
ing in  a  few  weeks. 

He  classifies  salicylic  acid,  eugenol,  camphophenique,  hydro- 
naphthol,  a-naphthol  and  /S-naphthol,  aceticotartrate  of  aluminum, 
and  some  essential  oils,  resorcin,  thallin,  sulphocarbolate  of  zinc,  etc., 
as  being  of  doubtful  value. 

Those  nearly  or  quite  worthless  are  iodoform,  basic  anilin  coloring 
matters,  borax,  boric  acid,  dermatol,  europhen,  calcium  chlorid, 
hydrogen  dioxid,  sozoiodol  salts,  tincture  of  iodin,  spirit  of  camphor, 
and  naphthahn. 

The  preparation  giving  the  best  results  consisted  of  mercuric 
chlorid,  0.0075  gram;  thymol,  0.0075  gram,  in  tablet  form. 

The  pulp  is  devitalized;  the  crown  portion  and  all  the  root  portion 
readily  accessible  are  removed;  one  of  the  tablets  is  placed  in  the  pulp 
chamber,  crushed  by  means  of  an  amalgam  plugger,  and  co^'ered  with 
gold-foil.  The  mercury  salt  tends  to  discolor  the  crown  of  the  tooth, 
so  that  its  employment  should  be  restricted  to  the  posterior  teeth; 

1  Proceedings  of  Columbian  Dental  Congress,  1893. 


534     REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 

indeed,  the  necessity  for  its  use  would  be,  as  a  rule,  found  with  these 
teeth,  being  those  from  which  it  is  most  difficult  to  extract  pulp 
remnants.  Miller  expresses  faith  in  the  power  of  oil  of  cinnamon  to 
permanently  sterilize  pulp  fragments. 

Soderberg^  recommended  a  paste  composed  as  follows: 

^ — Alum  exsic, 
Thymol, 

Glycerol aa     3J 

Zincioxidi q.  s.  to  make  a  stiff  paste — M. 

It  is  preferable  to  add  the  zinc  oxid  as  needed  or  to  make  a  small 
quantity  of  the  paste  frequently,  as  it  gradually  hardens.  To  the 
paste  used  a  crystal  of  cocain  is  added  to  prevent  pain.  Bennette,  of 
England,  has  advised  the  use  of  paraform  incorporated  in  the  paste, 
for  its  well-known  antiseptic  and  hardening  effects.  Greenbaum 
suggested  the  use  of  a  drop  of  40  per  cent,  formaldehyd  solution  to  be 
incorporated  with  the  paste.  Both  reduce  the  pulp  to  the  consistence 
of  catgut. 

Soderberg  reopened  cases  months  after  application  of  the  paste  to 
pulp  stumps,  and  found  them  shrunken  and  with  an  odor  of  thymol 
about  them. 

He  applied  the  paste  in  the  manner  shown  in  Figs.  499  and  500. 
In  1900  Soderberg  reported  the  use  of  the  paste  in  about  900  cases, 

Fig.  499  Fig.  500 


a,  caries  exposing  a  horn  of  the  pulp.  a,  root  portion  of  pulp;  &,  mummifying  paste; 

c.  zinc  phosphate;  d,  gold  or  amalgam. 

of  which  220  were  test  cases  of  from  two  to  six  years'  standing.  He 
claims  that  in  no  case  did  apical  pericemental  disturbance  arise 
from  the  use  of  the  paste  as  described. 

This  method  has  met  with  much  opposition  from  prominent  oper- 
ators, who  prefer  the  thorough  cleansing  and  filling  of  the  canals. 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  November,  1895. 


MUMMIFICATION  OF  THE  PULP  535 

No  doubt  the  rational  method  of  procedure  is  to  cleanse  the  canals 
as  well  as  possible,  and  to  use  the  paste  against  unrem()val)l(i  pulp 
stumps. 

The  best  results  were  obtained  when  arsenic  was  applied  for  a 
limited  time  only  in  order  that  the  arsenic  should  not  penetrate  too 
deeply.  In  view  of  Kirk's  observations  (p.  506)  this  would  seem 
wise. 

While  the  paste  may  effect  mummification  of  entire  canal  filaments 
of  pulp,  leakage  is  always  imminent  about  shrunken  pulps,  and  the 
only  safeguard  is  the  antiseptic  effect  of  the  paste.  This  is  much 
enhanced  if  the  bulk  of  putrefiable  material  be  replaced  with  the  anti- 
septic paste  used  as  a  root  filling.  Many  such  root  fillings  have  done 
good  service  for  many  years. 

A  certain  percentage  of  failures  would  be  no  argument  against  the 
employment  of  the  method  when  indicated,  as  no  method  is  infallible 
in  all  circumstances,  and  particularly  in  those  in  which  the  method 
is  indicated. 

Pulp  Digestion. — Harlan  recommended  that  the  following  paste  be 
applied  to  unremoved  portions  of  dead  pulps  as  a  means  of  digesting 
them  preparatory  to  root  filling: 

I^ — Papain ,.      .      .      .      gr.  v 

Price's  pure  glycerin TTliv 

Sol.  1  to  200  hydrochloric  acid TRv — M. 

This  is  applied  in  the  pulp  canal,  covered  with  blotting  paper 
soaked  in  liquid  vaselin,  and  the  whole  temporarily  sealed  for  a  few 
days.  The  pulp  is  reduced  to  the  consistence  of  jelly  and  can  be 
readily  washed  out. 

The  method,  on  the  whole,  does  not  seem  preferable  to  either  mum- 
mification or  the  Rhein  treatment  or  the  formocresol  treatment  of 
inextricable  portions  of  pulps  in  curved  roots,  etc.,  inasmuch  as  the 
occupancy  of  a  canal  by  a  sterile  pulp  remnant  is  better  than  leaving 
an  empty  root  canal  apex  or  filling  only  a  portion  of  it  in  such  manner 
as  to  render  subsequent  treatment  almost  impossible.  In  fact,  it  is 
better  that  dentists  recognize  their  limitations  and  put  themselves  in 
position  to  do  future  good  to  the  patient,  than  to  blindly  obstruct 
efforts  in  that  direction. 

Perforations  and  Resorptions. — The  same  accidents  that  occur  in 
canal  opening  in  the  case  of  the  removal  of  anesthetized  or  devitalized 
pulps  may  occur  in  all  gangrenous  cases  with  somewhat  increased 
liability  to  infection  of  the  pericemental  tissue. 

In  old  cases  the  pericemental  tissue  may  hypertrophy,  causing  the 
condition  of  hyperplastic  (fungoid)  gum.    This  should  be  sterilized 


536     REMOVAL  OF  DENTAL  PULP  AND  ROOT-CANAL  FILLING 

and  then  may  be  frozen  with  ethyl  chlorid  and  ablated  with  sharp 
instruments,  or  it  may  be  saturated  with  trichloracetic  acid  and 
ablated,  or  it  may  be  pressed  away  (resorbed)  with  cotton  saturated 
with  tincture  of  iodin  or  an  antiseptic  oil.  The  perforation  is  then 
covered. 

The  Filling  of  Perforations. — Perforations  made  high  up  in  the  canal, 
after  being  appropriately  sterilized  with  formocresol,  should  be  jBlled 
with  wax  or  with  gutta-percha  cones,  which  have  been  accurately  fitted 
to  the  openings.  It  is  often  difficult  to  do  this  accurately,  but  the 
effort  should  be  made.  When  ready,  a  little  antiseptic  chloro-percha 
is  to  be  placed  in  the  perforation  or  upon  the  cone,  and  the  latter 
packed  to  place. 

In  low  perforations  without  a  fistula  associated,  the  opening  of 
the  perforations  should  be  enlarged  inwardly  and  a  ball  or  plaque  of 
aseptic,  warm,  low- heat  gutta-percha,  or  even  temporary  stopping, 
adapted  to  the  opening.  A  piece  of  pure  gold  plate  may  be  burnished 
over  an  accessible  opening,  and  be  adapted  with  thick  chloro-percha 
or  temporary  stopping.  Any  of  these  may  be  fixed  in  place  with 
oxyphosphate  of  zinc.  Quick-setting  oxyphosphate  of  copper  in  its 
soft,  gummy,  state  may  be  painted  over  the  tissue  and  root  opening 
by  means  of  an  instrument,  or  the  perforation  may  often  be  satis- 
factorily closed  with  copper  amalgam.  When  in  posterior  teeth  a 
pin  must  be  used,  the  pin  may  be  made  smaller  than  the  root  canal 
and  be  coated  with  wax,  soft  oxyphosphate  of  copper  is  put  in  the 
canal,  and  the  pin  gently  thrust  in.  When  the  cement  has  set  the 
pin  may  be  heated  and  withdrawn,  and  when  included  in  the  intended 
superstructure,  the  pin  may  be  again  cemented  in  place. 

When  a  perforation  threatens  to  produce  an  abscess  an  artificial 
fistula  should  be  made  and  the  case  treated  accordingly. 

If  a  perforation  have  a  fistula  associated  with  it,  the  oxyphosphate 
of  copper  or  zinc  oxychlorid  may  be  allowed  to  go  through  the  fistula, 
by  way  of  which  any  excess  may  be  removed. 

In  case  of  resorption  of  the  roots  of  permanent  teeth  great  difficulty 
may  present,  the  soft,  absorbent  tissue  having  grown  into  the  cavity 
in  the  root  side  which  it  has  made.  A  radiograph  will  aid  in  deter- 
mining the  extent  of  the  lesion  which  usually  renders  canal  treatment 
impossible  and  extraction  imperative. 


CHAPTER    XVIII 

GANGRENE   OF   THE  PULP 

Definition. — By  gangrene  of  the  pulp  is  meant  its  death  through  an 
interference  with  its  nutrition.  It  may  be  partial,  as  when  an  abscess 
in  the  pulp  or  violent  irritation  causes  the  bulbar  portion  to  die,  the 
canal  portions  being  found  alive;  or  when  only  one  canal  portion  is 
dead,  the  others  being  alive.    Either  dry  or  moist  gangrene  may  occur. 

Causes. — It  is  probable  that  a  construction  of  apical  root  tissue 
(hypercementosis)  about  the  pulp  may  so  constrict  it  as  to  bring 
about  its  death.  (For  the  primary  causes  of  this  see  Hypercemen- 
tosis.) Sudden  shocks,  such  as  occur  from  thread,  string,  or  cigar 
biting,  or  blows  or  rapid  movement  in  regulating  or  wedging,  or 
non-fixation  after  regulation,  may  cause  torsion  or  tension  of  the 
bloodvessels  entering  the  apex  of  the  pulp. 

These  influences  may  either  cause  pulp  hyperemia  or  strangulation 
of  the  apical  bloodvessels,  or,  possibly,  an  area  of  apical  thrombosis, 
cutting  off  the  nutritive  supply  to  the  pulp.  Septic  or  aseptic  inflam- 
mation of  the  pulp  may  cause  its  total  death.  Death  of  pulp  tissue 
due  to  arsenic  produces  results  in  nowise  diftering  from  gangrene, 
provided  the  pulp  be  left  in  situ.    (See  p.  456.) 


DRY  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP 

Definition.^By  dry  gangrene  of  the  dental  pulp  is  meant  its  death 
in  toto  and  its  subsequent  transformation  into  a  dry,  shrivelled  mass 
occupying  the  pulp  chamber  and  canal. 

Causes  and  Pathology. — If  the  pulp  die  and  remain  under  conditions 
which  exclude  bacteria  from  contact  with  it,  the  water  of  the  pulp 
may  be  removed,  leaving  the  organ  as  a  tough,  shrivelled  mass  (Fig. 
501).  The  conditions  most  favorable  seem  to  be:  (1)  Pulp  death 
from  some  aseptic  cause,  e.  g.,  the  hyperemia  resulting  from  a  blow 
on  a  sound  tooth;  (2)  constriction  of  the  apical  foramen,  due  to  hyper- 
cementosis, the  result  of  thread  biting  or  other  mild  irritation  of  the 
pericementum;  (3)  the  presence  of  secondary  dentin  over  the  bulbar 
portion  of  the  pulp,  causing  pulp  exhaustion  yet  protecting  it  from 
infection;  (4)  the  capping  of  the  pulp  with  zinc  oxychlorid  or  formagen 


538  GANGRENE  OF   THE  PULP 

paste,  the  pulp  being  permeated  with  the  drug  or  dried  by  it;  (5)  the 
covering  of  pulp  stumps  with  a  paste  containing  a  tannifying  sub- 
stance, such  as  alum,  formaldehyd,  or  tannin. 

The  water  necessary  to  putrefaction  is  abstracted,  either  naturally 
or  chemically,  and  probably  bacteria  are  at  the  same  time  excluded, 
either  mechanically  or  because  the  chemical  substances  used  have 
penetrated  the  pulp  tissue,  acting  as  antiseptics. 

Symptoms. — The  tooth  has  a  nearly  normal  color,  but  under  re- 
flected Hght  is  seen  to  have  lost  perfect  translucency.  There  is  no 
response  to  thermal  or  electric  tests  for  pulp  vitality.  The  dentin  is 
insensitive  to  cutting  instruments,  and  the  cuttings  upon  the  bur 
have  no  odor.  There  is  no  odor  or  fluid  in  the  pulp  canal  when  this 
is  entered,  and  the  pulp  is  found  as  a  tough,  dry  mass  not  unlike 
that  seen  in  a  dry  extracted  tooth  which  contained  a  vital  pulp  at 
the  time  of  extraction.  These  cases  as  spontaneous  occurrences  are 
relatively  rare. 

Tests  for  Pulp  Vitality. — The  diagnosis  of  pulp  vitality  or  death 
being  in  practice  almost  daily  required,  the  decisive  tests  are  here 
indicated. 

A  tooth  containing  a  vital  pulp  is  translucent  and  pink;  that  con- 
taining a  dead  one  always  opaque  to  transmitted  light,  and  usually 
clouded  to  a  gray  or  bluish  black.  The  ordinary  appearance  by 
reflected  light  often  corresponds  to  this,  but  sometimes  a  tooth  is 
clouded  by  fillings,  or  looks  dead,  but  is  vital. 

An  electric  mouth  lamp  with  or  without  a  reflector  so  arranged  as 
to  reflect  the  light  upon  the  Ungual  surface  of  the  tooth  wiH  supply 
the  means  for  this  test.  In  its  absence  strong  sunlight  may  be  re- 
flected by  means  of  a  mouth  mirror,  but  is  not  nearly  so  good  a 
means  as  the  electric  light  (Fig.  357). 

If  the  tooth  be  isolated  by  means  of  rubber  dam  and,  first,  cold 
water  be  thrown,  or,  later,  ethyl  or  methyl  chlorid  be  sprayed  upon 
it  or  upon  the  filling  contained  in  it,  absence  of  response  will  indicate 
either  partial  or  total  pulp  death  or  the  formation  of  a -quantity  of 
secondary  dentin.  In  the  latter  case  the  test  must  be  renewed 
as  the  excavation  proceeds. 

A  hot  burnisher  or  hot  gutta-percha  applied  to  a  filling  or  dentin, 
or  very  hot  water  thrown  upon  an  isolated  tooth,  should  provoke  at 
least  a  delayed  response  from  a  vital  pulp. 

Woodward  has  shown  that  if  a  few  cells  of  a  cataphoric  apparatus 
are  in  action  and  the  positive  electrode  be  applied  to  the  dentin  or 
metal  filling  in  a  vital  tooth,  while  the  negative  pole  is  at  the  cheek 
or  wrist  of  the  patient,  a  distinct  sensation  should  be  felt,  while  in 
case  of  a  dead  pulp  there  will  be  no  response;  usually  even  a  small 


DRY  GANGRENE  OF   THE  PULP 


539 


filling  will  transmit  a  distinct  shock  in  a  vital  tooth  which  is  absent 
in  a  devitalized  tooth,  A  mild  interrupted  current  has  also  been  used 
for  the  test.  There  may  be  no  response  through  a  metal  filling,  while 
such  response  may  be  obtained  by  packing  wet  cotton  against  the 
dentin  after  some  drilling.  A  mild  current  should  always  be  used 
unless  there  is  no  response,  when  the  strength  of  the  current  should 
be  increased.  It  is  generally  possible  to  test  some  evidently  vital 
tooth  nearby  as  a  control.  If  the  filling  reach  the  gum,  the  current 
may  be  transmitted  by  it.  The  possibility  of  contact  of  the  filling 
with  another  in  a  vital  tooth  is  to  be  remembered.  Insulation  with 
rubber  dam  is  indicated  in  such  a  case. 


Fig.  501 


Fig.  502 


Fig.  503 


Dry  gangrene  of  the 
pulp:  PN,  pulp  nodule; 
DP,  shrivelled  pulp. 
(From  a  speeimen  of 
pulp  extracted  intact  in 
this  condition.) 


Caries;  moist  gangrene  in  imprisoned 
temporary  molar.  (Skiagraph  by 
Hagopian   from   editor's  case.) 


Mo'st  gangrene.  Skia- 
graph of  unfilled  root 
canals  with  large  mass 
of  filling  material  built 
in  over   them.     (Price.') 


In  doubtful  cases,  such  as  that  shown  in  Fig.  503,  the  a;-ray  skia- 
graph is  valuable,  and  indicates  at  least  the  removal  of  the  filling  for 
further  diagnosis  and  treatment.  When  dentin  is  insensitive,  pulp 
death  should  be  suspected. 

A  strong  odor  of  putrefaction  may  be  obtained  from  bur  cuttings 
in  cases  of  moist  gangrene  only.  This  must  be  differentiated  from 
the  odor  of  decayed  dentin,  which  usually  also  has  an  acid  character. 
In  case  of  partial  death  of  the  pulp  not  discoverable  by  the  tests 
given  above,  a  fine,  sharp  probe  passed  into  contact  with  the  pulp 
remnant  will  demonstrate  its  vitality. 

Treatment.^ — If  septic  matter  be  introduced  a  violent  pericementitis 
may  be  lighted  up;  but  if  aseptic  precautions  be  employed  in  opening 
the  canal,  and  this  be  kept  under  the  influence  of  a  germicide,  such  as 
5  per  cent,  formaldehyd  or  sodium  dioxid,  the  root  may  be  filled  by 
the  immediate  method — i.  e.,  when  opened  and  sterilized  it  is  to  be 


1  Items  of  Interest,  1901. 


540  GAXGREXE  OF   THE  PULP 

dried  and  then  moistened  with  eucalyptol  and  the  excess  of  this 
removed;  previously  prepared  cones  of  temporary  stopping  are  then 
packed  into  the  root  or  another  root  filHng  employed.  The  method 
of  moistening  the  canal  with  forma-percha  and  then  placing  the 
cones,  or  the  use  of  cotton,  silk,  or  asbestos  fibers  saturated  with 
forma-percha,  has  all  the  advantages  of  the  temporary  antiseptic 
filling,  with  the  added  merit  of  permanency  if  the  indications 
declare  a  success. 

A  temporary  filling  of  pink  base-plate  gutta-percha  is  to  be  inserted 
in  the  crown  cavity  until  all  irritation,  if  any,  subsides. 

Slight  aseptic  apical  irritation  may  be  anticipated  as  a  matter 
of  precaution  by  the  use  of  iodin  as  a  counterirritant  at  the  time 
of  root  filling  (see  p.  451).  Such  irritation  is  either  mechanical  or 
due  to  the  chemical  substances  used. 


MOIST  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP 

Definition. — By  moist  gangrene  of  the  pulp  is  meant  death  of  pulp 
tissue  en  masse  and  its  subsequent  decomposition  by  the  action  of 
putrefactive  agencies.  As  putrefactive  decomposition  is  the  essential 
feature  in  these  cases,  and  that  which  gives  the  process  its  patho- 
logical significance,  the  causes,  nature,  effects,  and  treatment  of 
putrefactive  decomposition  of  the  pulp  are  included  under  this 
subheading,     (See  p.  86.) 

Causes. — The  causes  of  moist  gangrene  are  such  as  may  cause  the 
death  of  the  pulp  and  its  subsequent  decomposition  by  bacteria. 
Without  bacteria  putrefaction  cannot  occur.  Among  these  the 
Bacillus  gangrense  pulpae  (Arkovyj  figures  prominently.^  Four  ti^es 
of  cases  are  seen:  (1)  In  teeth  apparently  sound;  (2)  in  teeth  filled, 
but  the  canals  not  treated — i.  e.,  death  of  the  pulp  has  occurred  after 
filling;  (3)  in  teeth  filled  with  canals  partly  filled;  (4)  in  teeth  having 
open  cavities  and  canals. 

In  the  first  type  of  cases  the  bacteria  may  enter  by  way  of  the 
blood  channels,  but  it  is  not  improbable  that  slight  cracks  or  histo- 
logical defects  in  the  enamel  may  admit  to  the  dentinal  tubules  the 
necessary  bacteria,  or  that  they  may  gain  entrance  by  way  of  the 
cementum  and  dentin  at  the  neck  of  the  tooth.  (See  Caush's  Tubes.) 
The  inference  is  similar  in  case  of  trimmed  crowns  of  teeth  underlying 
gold  caps. 


1  Siberth    and  Goadby  regard  this  microorganism  as  a  variety  of  Bacillus  mesentericus,  prob- 
ably "niger."     Mycologj-  of  the  Mouth,  p.  148. 


MOIST  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP 


541 


Pigment. 


Fig.  504 
Sulphur  +  hemoglobin. 


A  case  presenting  some  analogy  to  these  teeth  is  that  of  an  egg  with 

apparently  perfect  shell,  but  in  which  intense  decomposition  has 

occurred.    That  the  gases  and  other  odorous  products  are  somewhat 

confined  the  author  proved  to  his  dismay  as  a  boy  by  smashing  with 

a  hatchet  one  found  in  the  brush. 

Many  of  these  teeth  do  not  develop  abscesses  even  after  the  tooth 

has  become  dark  in  color;  perhaps  the  bacteria  are  killed  by  their 

own  products.    If  the  dentin  be  exposed,  as  at  the  incisal  edge,  the 

abscess  may  develop.    The  entrance 

of  air  or  beginning  of  treatment  often 

starts  an  abscess  unless  treatment  is 

instituted. 

In  the  filled  cases  crevices  about 

crown  and  root  fillings  may  admit 

bacteria,  which   may   pass   through 

the  tubules  of  even  secondary  dentin 

in  some  amount.    On  the  other  hand, 

it    is    irrational    not    to    admit  the 

possibility   of   an   infection   via   the 

circulation. 

In  cases  of  obvious  pulp  infection 
beneath  fillings — e.  g.,  suppuration 
of  the  pulp — the  bacteria  necessary 
are  iji  situ. 

In  the  open  cases  the  infection  ob- 
viously arises  from  the  mouth. 

Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. — 
The  pulp  being  wholly  or  partly 
dead  from  any  cause  whatever,  sapro- 
phytic bacteria  gain  access  to  it, 
and  the  serial  decomposition  it  un- 
dergoes is  in  exact  correspondence 
with  that  of  moist  gangrene  or  putre- 
faction in  other  localities. 

In  this  serial  decomposition  albuminous  substances  are  first 
transformed  into  peptones  and  allied  substances,  some  of  them  being 
very  toxic.  Compound  ammonias,  known  as  ptomains,  or  animal 
alkaloids,  such  as  putrescin,  neuridin,  and  cadaverin,  are  probably 
next  formed.  Next  the  nitrogenous  bases — leucin,  tryosin  (amido- 
acid),  and  the  amines  (methyl,  ethyl,  and  propyl) — make  their 
appearance,  together  with  organic  fatty  acids.  Next  aromatic 
products,  indol,  phenol,  cresol,  etc.,  and  finally,  hydrogen  sulphid 
ammonia  sulphid,  carbon  dioxid,  and  water.     By  alternating  pro- 


CO2,  NH,; 
H-.O  and  H3S. 


Aromatic  and 
fatty  prod- 
ucts. 

Ptomains. 


Peptones. 


Diagram  illustrating  the  more  complete 
decomposition  of  the  pulp  at  its  coronal 
end. 


542 


GANGRENE  OF   THE  PULP 


cesses  of  hydration,  reduction,  and  oxidation,  bodies  of  increasing 
simplicity  of  chemical  composition  are  formed.  "Fermentation  and 
putrefaction  can  only  occur  where  the  fungi  concerned  live  and  the 


Fig.   505 


t  -''S^:^ 


Fig.  506 


Fig.  507 


.X 


Fig.  508 


^o        <^mfM 


Fig.  509 


:f^. 


Fig.  510 

Fig.  511 

Fig.  512 

Uf'X 

• 

• 

HH)tO 

J 1  _ 

X 

'•  I 


extent  of  decomposition  is  conditioned  by  the  number  of  fungi. "^ 
The  contents  of  the  tubules  (fibrillpe)   also  are  putrefied.     These 


Zieglcr:   General  Pathology. 


MOIST  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP  543 

products  are  derived  from  the  following  chemical  constituents 
found  in  normal  pulps,  according  to  Hodgen:  Proteins  and  albu- 
minoid, fibrin,  hemoglobin,  collagen,  elastin,  fats,  tripalmitin, 
stearin,  and  olein. 

The  irritant  bodies  are  probably  the  gases  and  ptomains  which 
have  experimentally  been  found  capable  of  producing  suppuration  in 
the  absence  of  bacteria. 

INIiller^  found,  in  the  deepest  portions  of  the  degenerating,  putrefy- 
ing pulps,  where  inflammation  and  suppuration  were  in  progress,  a 
preponderance  of  small  cocci  and  diplococci,  and  proceeding  toward 
the  open  pulp  chamber  an  increasing  number  of  large  cocci,  several 
forms  of  bacilli,  vibrios,  and  other  spirilla,  spirochetse,  and  long  thread 
forms  (Figs.  505  to  512).  Figs.  511  and  512  are  from  the  same  pulp; 
Fig.  508  was  taken  from  the  radicular  portion  of  a  pulp  which  was 
alive  and  suppurating;  Fig.  505  was  from  the  putrid  crown  portion. 
INIiller  found  that  bacteria  of  pulp  putrefaction  cultivated  in  gelatin, 
with  and  without  the  access  of  air,  exhibited  a  difference  in  the  poi- 
sonous properties  of  their  products.  Those  developed  with  free  access 
of  air  produced  stronger  reaction,  and  more  extensive  suppuration 
than  those  developed  without  the  access  of  air. 

Arkovy,-  in  an  examination  of  43  cases  of  chronic  apical  abscess, 
pulp  gangrene,  etc.,  found  the  Bacillus  gangrense  pulpse  present  in 
41;  the  Staphylococcus  pyogenes  aureus  in  15;  Staphylococcus 
pyogenes  albus  in  8;  Staphylococcus  pyogenes  citreus  in  2;  Strepto- 
coccus pyogenes  in  10,  and  Bacillus  pyocyaneus  in  4. 

He  found  the  Bacillus  gangrene  pulpfe  in  mouths  free  of  caries  as 
well  as  in  mouths  containing  carious  teeth,  and  established  the  fact 
that  it  is  pleomorphous  (bacillus  and  coccus  form) . 

He  inoculated  healthy  pulps  with  this  bacterium,  and  found  that  in 
pure  culture  it  produced  total  gangrene  without  suppuration;  while 
mixed  cultures,  and  even  the  mixed  pleomorphic  forms  of  the  same 
bacillus,  produced  chronic  pulpitis. 

On  gelatin  cultures  a  putrid,  cheese-like  odor  was  perceptible.  The 
germ  is  subject  to  the  antiseptic  effects  of  strong  acids,  alkalies,  car- 
bolic acid,  and  tincture  of  iodin,  which  explains,  in  part,  the  success 
of  the  treatment  hereinafter  mentioned. 

Arkovy's  demonstration  seems  a  satisfactory  explanation  of  cases 
of  quiet  death  of  pulps  under  fillings. 

The  hydrogen  sulphid  combines  with  the  HN3  of  proteid  origin, 
to  form  ammonium  sulphid  (NH4)2S,  which,  again,  combines  with 
the  iron  in  the  hemoglobin  of  the  red  corpuscles,  producing  ferrous 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1S94.  -  Synopsis  by  Soderberg:    Dental  Cosmos,  IS'J'J. 


544  GANGRENE  OF   THE  PULP 

sulphid,  Fe2S,  which  darkens  the  decomposing  tissue,  and,  entering 
the  tubules,  stains  the  dentin  a  slaty  gray  or  bluish-black  color. 
Other  derivatives  of  hemoglobin  may  be  responsible  for  the  yellowish 
brown  discoloration  often  seen  in  cases  in  which  bacteria  have  not 
reached  the  pulp  until  long  after  pulp  death.  The  color  is,  therefore, 
not  due  to  the  presence  of  hydrogen  sulphid. 

Fig.  504  is  a  diagram  illustrating  these  changes;  it  being  assumed 
that  the  decomposition  is  most  advanced  at  the  crown  portion  of  the 
pulp,  owing  to  the  entrance  of  bacteria  at  that  point. 

In  the  early  stage  of  the  process  the  gangrenous  pulp  resembles 
a  yellowish  mass  of  sloughing  tissue,  with  reasonably  tough  con- 
sistence, which  can  be  easily  removed.  In  the  later  stages  it  is  more 
decomxposed  and  dark  and  jelly-like,  and  yields  to  the  broach.  In 
the  final  stages  nothing  but  fluid,  or  even  an  almost  dry  canal,  may 
be  found.  Naturally  the  greatest  number  of  fungi  will  have,  by 
multiplication,  invaded  and  putrefied  that  end  nearest  the  source 
of  infection,  while  the  more  consistent  (less  putrefied)  portion  of 
the  pulp  will  exist  at  the  apex.  This  last  condition  must  not  be 
confounded  with  dry  gangrene.  If  fluid,  or  odor  without  fluid,  be 
present  the  case  is  one  of  moist  gangrene. 

Gangrenous  pulps  do  not  necessarily  produce  abscesses  at  once, 
but  often  clinical  history  shows  that  a  year  or  two,  or  even  more, 
may  elapse,  though  as  short  a  time  as  two  or  three  weeks  has  some- 
times been  sufficient.  In  one  case  of  a  boy,  aged  ten  years,  the  time 
between  a  capping  of  a  bleeding  pulp  with  Jodoformagen  and  the 
presence  of  a  fistula  upon  the  gum  was  but  two  weeks.  It  was, 
however,  in  a  temporary  first  molar,  and  the  cement  covering  the 
cap  was  found  to  be  loose. 

The  forcing  of  gangrenous  pulp  tissue  by  instrumentation  into 
apical  tissue  generally  results  in  an  abscess,  even  when  extraneous 
bacteria  are  presumably  not  introduced. 

The  irritating  substances  in  a  decomposing  pulp  are  presumably 
the  bacteria,  the  ptomains,  and  the  expanding  gases. 

Many  decomposed  pulps  produce  no  pain,  but  in  these  cases 
the  gases  may  escape  via  dentinal  tubules  and  leaks  about  fillings 
(Fig.  503). 

Clinically,  putrefactive  pulps  may  be  found  in  sound  teeth,  in 
filled  teeth,  and  in  teeth  the  pulp  cavities  of  which  are  open  to  the 
oral  fluids,  either  actually  or  through  the  medium  of  open  tubules 
in  the  dentin  over  them,  or  in  apical  portions  of  poorly  cleansed  or 
partly  filled  canals.  A  cotton  dressing  having  a  bad  odor,  or  an 
apparently  empty  apical  portion  of  canal  or  a  leaky  gutta-percha 
canal  filling  associated  with  a  bad  odor,  even  though  the  pulp  has 


MOIST  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP  545 

been  successfully  removed,  have  a  similar  pathology.  There  is 
little  difference  in  principle  between  putrefactive  serum  or  tubule 
contents  and  a  putrefactive  pulp.  Any  of  these  may  cause  abscess 
or  remain  quiescent. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are  opacity  of  the  tooth  evident  to 
the  eye  or  noted  by  transmitted  light,  bluish  or  brownish  discolora- 
tion of  \arying  degrees,  odor,  and  discoloration  of  the  dentin  in  a 
cavity. 

There  is  a  lack  of  response  to  cutting,  thermal,  and  electric  tests. 
Sometimes  a  bad  taste  due  to  leakage  about  fillings  is  present.  Upon 
drilling  out  a  filling  the  odor  of  putrefaction  may  be  clearly  noticed 
even  before  entrance  of  the  canal,  and  sometimes  rises  to  the  operator's 
nostrils.  The  odor  of  the  bur  cuttings  is  diagnostic  in  less  pronounced 
cases.  The  gases  may  be  present  in  quantity  without  symptoms  of 
pain.  Looseness,  tenderness  to  percussion,  incipient  and  acute 
abscess,  or  a  chronic  fistula  are  evidences  of  pericemental  irritation. 

Pain  to  heat,  while  usually  indicative  of  pulp  irritation,  also  some- 
times occurs,  and  is  explainable  upon  the  same  theory  of  the  expan- 
sion of  gases  against  vital  tissue — in  this  case  the  apical  tissue.  These 
symptoms  are  all  explained  by  the  pathology  of  the  condition. 

A  confusing  condition  clinically  is  found  where  one-half  of  a  pulp 
has  died  and  undergone  decomposition,  as  in  molars,  the  other  half 
remaining  vital,  although  the  seat  of  infection  and  inflammatory 
action.  So  far  may  this  condition  go,  that  abscess,  acute  or  chronic, 
may  be  present  upon  the  root  of  one  tooth  long  before  the  second 
segment  of  the  pulp  has  succumbed.  The  diagnosis  of  such  cases  is 
made  by  the  light  test,  by  obtaining  the  painful  reaction  to  heat  and 
perhaps  to  electricity,  and  usually  some  tenderness  upon  percussion 
upon  some  particular  portion  of  the  tooth;  upon  opening  the  tooth 
the  peculiar  condition  described  is  found.  The  a--ray  should  show  the 
condition. 

In  one  case  of  a  lower  molar  with  a  fistula  related  with  the  distal 
root  I  found  the  pulp  apparently  vital  upon  entering  the  pulp  chamber 
with  a  bur  at  a  point  about  midway  between  the  horns.  There  was 
apparently  a  persistence  or  hypertrophy  of  the  pulp  bulb  attached  to 
the  mesial  filaments.  The  distal  canal  was  found  to  contain  only  the 
fluid  remains  of  a  dead  pulp  filament.  In  cases  seen  at  the  right 
time  the  bulbal  half  of  a  pulp  may  be  gangrenous  without  positive 
putrefaction,  while  the  apical  half  is  still  vital. 

J.  H.  McQuillen^  recorded  a  case  of  longitudinal  fracture  of  a 
bicuspid  tooth  extending  from  the  sulcus  to  the  bifurcation  of  the 

>  Dental  Cosmos,  J871. 

35 


546  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP 

roots,  and  which  was  apparently  due  to  the  expansion  of  the  gases 
of  decomposition.  Poinsot^  records  a  similar  case,  and  states  that 
several  teeth  containing  decomposed  pulps  confined  in  a  glass  tube 
caused  the  latter  to  break. 

Observations  previous  to  that  of  McQuillen  have  recorded  a  sound, 
as  of  an  explosion,  to  have  occurred  simultaneously  with  the  fracture 
of  the  tooth.  I  have  looked  all  my  professional  life  for  such  a  case, 
but  have  never  been  able  to  eliminate  the  possibility  of  fracture  from 
ordinary  causes. 

Treatment. — The  pulp  being  presumably  infected,  all  quiescent 
gangrenous  pulps  or  putrefactive  conditions  under  any  conditions 
discovered  indicate  a  similar  treatment,  namely,  first  disinfection  to 
remove  or  kill  bacteria  which  might  cause  an  abscess  and  at  the 
same  time  to  destroy  the  chemical  nature  of  the  gases  and  ptomains. 
After  this  the  canals  are  to  be  thoroughly  opened,  cleansed,  further 
disinfected  for  the  sake  of  surety,  and  later  filled. 

Three  substances  are  preeminent  in  this  direction — (1)  formal- 
dehyd,  (2)  nascent  oxygen,  (3)  iodin  or  its  derivatives. 

At  the  present  writing  no  substance  equals  formaldehyd  because 
of  its  rapid  diffusion  as  a  gas  through  all  canals,  tubules,  and  even 
abscess  tracts. 

The  first  and  best  treatment  consist";  in  opening  the  pulp  cavity  and 
gently  removing  the  bulk  of  decomposed  pulp  from  the  pulp  chamber 
and  canals,  care  being  employed  to  avoid  forcing  any  putrid  material 
into  the  apical  tissue  by  broaching  or  plunging  of  the  bur.  Also,  no 
bacteria  should  be  introduced  from  outside.  The  opening  should  not 
be  too  freely  made,  and  should  be  funnelled  or  countersunk  out- 
wardly to  secure  the  seal  against  being  plunged  into  the  pulp  cavity 
in  mastication  (Fig.  513). 

This  being  done,  the  canals  are  dried  with  cotton  and  hot  air,  and 
a  small  pellet  of  cotton  saturated  with  formocresol  or  10  per  cent, 
aqueous  formaldehyd  solution,  or  geranium  formoP  is  to  be  placed 
in  the  pulp  chamber.  Any  that  has  come  in  contact  with  the  orifice 
should  be  removed  with  alcohol.  The  orifice  is  then  dried  and  a  small 
piece  of  dry  spunk  placed  over  the  application,  but  not  so  as  to 
interfere  with  the  seal.  Quick-setting,  adhesive,  hydraulic  cement  is 
now  flowed  into  the  orifice,  air  bubbles  being  avoided  by  flowing  it 
in  with  an  instrument  (Fig.  513).  A  bit  of  paraform  accomplishes 
the  same  purpose  as  the  solution,  namely,  the  liberation  of  formal- 
dehyd gas. 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1901. 

2  Geranium-formol  introduced  by  Andr6  and  de  Marion,  I'Odontologie;  abstract  by  Inter- 
national Dental  Journal,  1901. 


MOIST  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP 


547 


When  opportunity  for  self-relief  seems  proper,  as  when  the  operator 
is  leaving  his  practice  for  a  short  time,  or  may  otherwise  be  inacces- 
sible, hot  temporary  stopping  may  be  used  and  the  patient  instructed 
as  to  the  proper  procedure  to  obtain  relief.  An  ordinary  pin  crooked 
at  the  point  by  striking  it  across  any  hard  surface  will  serve  to  pick 
out  the  stopping  and  cotton.  In  all  cases  tight  coverings  must  be 
made,  as  the  object  is  to  concentrate  the  action  of  the  formaldehyd 
gas  upon  the  canal  and  tubular  contents. 

In  some  cavities  it  is  well  to  make  the  covering  first,  as  done  for 
arsenic  (see  Fig.  43G),  and  to  seal  the  dressing  in  with  a  further 
addition  of  cement  or  temporary  stopping.  The  latter  does  not 
permit  mastication  like  the  former. 


Fig.  513 


Fig.  514 


a,  cotton  and  formocrrsol;  6,  spunk; 
f,  cement. 


Cervical  wall    built  up    with    amalgaia   to 
permit  canal  sterilization  and  treatment. 


If  there  be  a  broad  cavity  extending  beneath  the  gum,  it  is  well 
to  press  the  gum  away  with  cotton  pellets,  then  to  form  the  cavity 
and  open  the  canal  orifices.  Then  a  retention  at  the  cervical  portion 
of  the  cavity  should  be  made,  even  if  it  be  necessary  to  drill  a  series 
of  pits  along  it  with  a  No.  1  bur.  Spunk  is  now  placed  over  the 
pulp  canals  and  quick-setting  amalgam  is  to  be  permanently  built 
in  at  this  part  of  the  cavity.  When  set  the  spunk  is  withdrawn, 
formocresol  in  cotton  is  placed  instead  of  the  spunk,  and  the  covering 
completed  with  cement.  The  amalgam  is  finished  as  far  as  practi- 
cable at  the  one  sitting,  and  the  case  dismissed.  At  future  sittings 
the  rubber  dam  may  be  applied  and  the  canal  work  done  (Fig.  514). 
When  cavity  walls  are  frail,  spunk  may  be  placed  in  the  pulp  cavity, 
and  a  permanent  cement  lining  built  into  the  cavity.  This  can  be 
perforated  to  the  spunk,  thus  leaving  the  walls  supported  during 
the  treatment. 

Formocresol,  introduced  by  Buckley,  consists  of  equal  parts  of  37 
per  cent,  aqueous  formaldehyd  solution  and  cresol,  which  combine  well. 

'Bf — Formaldehyd 40  parts 

Essence  of  geranium,  distilled 20  parts 

Alcohol  SO  per  cent 40  parts 


548  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP 

According  to  Buckley,  the  formaldehyd  not  only  acts  as  a  germi- 
cide, but  combines  with  the  ammonia  of  ammonium  sulphid  to  form 
urotropin  and  water,  6CH2O  +  4NH3  =  (CH2)6N4  +  6H2O,  and 
with  hydrogen  sulphid  to  form  sulphur  and  methyl  alcohol  2CH2O  + 
2H2S  =  82  +  2CH3OH.  The  cresol  is  supposed  to  act  upon  the 
fatty  compounds,  changing  them  into  a  compound  resembling  lysol. 
Thus,  antiseptic  substances  are  formed  from  poisonous  ones.  This 
does  not  necessarily  represent  all  the  reactions  occurring,  as  many 
other  compounds  may  result  from  putrefaction.  The  probability  is 
that  the  thoroughly  bactericidal  action  is  the  one  of  greatest  value. 
This  action  has  been  shown  by  Mayrhofer  to  be  true  only  for  the 
first  twenty-four  hours;  thereafter  the  bacteria  in  the  tubules  may 
grow  back  into  the  canal  and  the  dressing,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that 
the  odor  of  the  dressing  is  present.  The  canal  should  therefore  be 
mechanically  cleaned  after  twenty-four  hours,  and  a  fresh  application 
be  made.^  Mayrhofer  claimed  inability  to  sterilize  permanently 
with  formocresol.  Nevertheless  the  editor  treats  such  cases  at  wide 
intervals  ordinarily  with  impunity.  In  a  few  cases  an  abscess  has 
supervened  after  the  first  dressing,  but  none  as  yet  after  the 
second.  Leakage  of  the  formaldehyd  gas  may  have  been  the  reason, 
but  a  chronic  apical  abscess  in  the  third  stage  (which  see)  has  been 
a  suspicion.  Cleansing  and  reaming  the  canals  at  the  first  sitting  is 
another  danger,  even  when  formaldehyd  is  subsequently  used.  Some 
persons  do  not  tolerate  formaldehyd  well,  so  for  them  it  is  well 
to  reduce  formocresol  to  5  per  cent,  strength  with  cresol  or  phenol 
camphor,  or  even  abandon  it  for  menthol  or  thymol  in  phenol- 
camphor  or  other  sedative,  or  iodoform  may  be  tried. 

Formaldehyd  is  so  efficacious  in  the  writer's  hands  that  it  has 
displaced  other  methods  in  his  practice.  All  other  methods  of  dis- 
infection produce  results  less  certain  than  those  produced  by  it,  and 
are  more  cumbersome,  therefore  they  will  be  here  dispensed  with. 
While  this  is  true  for  a  great  majority  of  the  cases,  occasionally  a 
patient  is  met  with  whose  tissues  do  not  tolerate  formaldehyd  well. 
Formocresol  then  should  be  reduced  to  a  5  per  cent,  solution  with 
cresol  or  phenol  camphor,  and  in  some  cases  abandoned  for  more 
sedative  antiseptic  remedies,  such  as  eugenol  or  phenol  camphor  with 
menthol. 

This  first  dressing  may  be  left  for  from  twenty-four  hours  to  a  week 
or  longer  if  the  patient  is  comfortable. 

At  the  second  sitting  the  rubber  dam  is  to  be  applied  and  the  canal 
opening  thoroughly  made  under  formocresol  influence,  just  as  though 

'  ViuUeumier:    Items  of  Interest,  March,  1910. 


MOIST  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP  549 

the  pulps  were  vital,  the  technique  differing  in  no  respect.  (See 
pp.  508  to  526.)  A  second  dressing  is  introduced  into  the  canals. 
Whether  this  shall  carry  the  full  strength  forniocresol  or  it  shall  be 
modified  by  the  addition  of  cresol  or  phenol  camphor  depends  upon 
the  history  of  any  irritation  or  perfect  comfort  as  a  result  of  the 
first  application.  The  object  of  a  second  dressing  is  to  determine 
whether  the  odor  (gases)  has  been  discharged  from  the  tubules. 
When  the  dressing  has  absence  of  putrefactive  odor,  no  pus  can 
be  detected,  and  the  patient  is  comfortable,  the  canal  is  ready  for 
filling.  Less  than  this  result  is  too  soon,  and  delay  beyond  this  is 
a  loss  of  time. 

When  one  pulp  filament  is  gangrenous  and  another  vital,  the  treat- 
ment is  the  same,  it  being  the  writer's  experience  that  forniocresol 
loosely  placed  is  not  incompatible  with  ulcerated  pulps,  and,  indeed, 
is  an  excellent  dressing  for  suppurative  pulps  when  modified  to  a  3 
to  5  per  cent,  strength;  even  full  strength  has  been  acceptably  used. 
Later,  the  vital  portion  is  appropriately /removed. 

^Mien  apical  pericementitis  of  a  subacute  nature  is  present  on  a 
filled  tooth,  as  when  a  tooth  shows  some  looseness  and  tenderness, 
with  some  injection  of  the  gum,  all  faulty  root  canal  fillings  should  be 
removed  with  barbed  broaches,  cleansers,  or  root  reamers,  and 
the  case  is  then  resolved  into  one  of  moist  gangrene  and  treated 
accordingly. 

If  a  cotton  root  filling  be  found  it  sometimes  allows  the  broach  to 
tear  loose.  Li  such  case  a  Kerr  broach  is  driven  into  it  to  create 
a  central  opening,  after  which  the  fibers  become  engaged  by  the 
barbed  broach. 

Eucalyptol  may  be  used  to  soften  gutta-percha  root  canal  fillings, 
and  at  times  the  smallest  Kerr  or  Downie  broach  is  to  be  bibevelled 
at  its  end  and  used  as  a  drill  cutting  its  way.  Oxychlorid  and  other 
cement  fillings  may  have  50  per  cent,  sulphuric  acid  or  strong  ammo- 
nia water  applied  to  them  to  assist  in  breaking  up  the  bond  of  the 
cement  by  chemically  destroying  either  the  zinc  oxid  or  the  acid. 
The  drill  will  tamp  the  fluid  into  the  cement  and  cut  the  cement 
at  the  same  time. 

All  root  fillings  of  cement  nature  are  apt  to  be  faulty  when  used  as 
such,  because  the  air  in  the  canal  prevents  ingress,  though  it  may 
appear  to  be  well  filled.  This  fact  is  of  importance  in  diagnosis  in 
filled  teeth,  giving  evidence  of  chronic  pericementitis,  i.  e.,  there  is 
probably  an  unfilled  portion  of  root  canal  containing  putrefied  pulp 
or  serum. 

It  is  a  weakness  of  many  good  operators,  if  not  all,  to  think  that 
their  individual  canal  fillings  are  perfectly  made.    The  writer  was 


550  GANGRENE  OF   THE  PULP 

once  associated  with  a  most  conscientious  man,  and  possesses  a  gutta- 
percha canal  filling  of  his  in  a  molar  now  successful  for  twenty  years. 
On  one  occasion  he  declared  that  he  had  filled  perfectly  a  canal  of 
an  upper  second  bicuspid  because  the  material  had  been  felt  by  the 
patient  as  it  reached  the  apex.  Two  weeks  later  the  tooth  was 
extracted,  though  comfortable,  for  orthodontic  purposes.  Its  well- 
opened  canal  was  empty  for  a  quarter  of  an  inch  at  the  apex. 

To  remove  pins  from  roots  a  bibevelled  Kerr  broach  may  be  driven 
into  the  cement  or  dentin  about  it  and  the  drifts  united.  The  pin 
may  often  be  forced  to  one  side  and  then  jigged  loose..  If  there  be 
sufficient  pin  extending  above  the  face  of  the  root  a  "pin  puller" 
may  be  used.  If  the  pin  cannot  be  loosened  it  must  be  drilled  out 
bodily.  A  sharp  round  bur  should  be  used  to  countersink  the  end  of 
the  pin,  and  then  by  the  aid  of  oil  it  is  cut  into  shavings.  Frequent 
desiccation  and  examination  to  observe  the  presence  or  a  metal 
remnant  is  necessary  to  avoid  the  accident  of  perforation. 

In  drying  with  the  compressed-air  syringe,  care  should  be  employed 
to  avoid  extensive  emphysema  of  the  cheek,  which  may  be  induced 
by  intense  pressure.  If  it  occur,  the  emphysema  should  be  reduced 
by  manipulation,  with  a  view  to  gently  forcing  the  air  back  through 
the  root.  Christensen^  and  L.  Greenbaum  have  each  reported  a 
case,  and  I  have  recently  had  my  first  case  when  desiccating  an 
accidental  lateral  perforation.  This  occurred  even  without  close 
application  of  the  syringe  nozzle,  35  pounds'  pressure  being  used. 

The  immediate  treatment  of  canals  containing  gangrenous  pulps 
may  at  times  be  necessary.  The  mechanical  work  should  be  done 
while  the  canal  is  flooded  with,  formocresol,  and  embalming  paste 
containing  paraform  should  be  used  with  gutta-percha  canal  points 
or  sometimes  on  cotton  twists. 

If  any  inaccessible  portion  of  root  canal  remain  it  may  be  treated 
according  to  Rhein's  method  of  placing  a  zinc  probe  in  the  canal, 
which  should  be  filled  with  a  solution  of  mercuric  chlorid  in  hydrogen 
dioxid  (1  to  500).  The  positive  pole  of  the  cataphoric  current  should 
be  applied  to  the  probe,  with  the  moist  negative  spoiige  electrode 
at  the  cheek.  From  three  to  seven  minutes  with  a  force  of  from  1  to 
5  mi.  of  current  are  required  to  form  oxychlorid  of  zinc  which  occupies 
the  inaccessible  portion  of  the  canal.^    (See  p.  515.) 

Root  sterilization  may  be  immediately  attempted  after  the  rubber 
dam  has  been  placed  and  the  crown  washed  with  5  per  cent,  formalin 
or  alcohol  and  water. 

A  little  dry  sodium  dioxid  is  placed  upon  a  slab  with  a  drop  of 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1904,  p.  151.  2  ibid..  1905,  p.  1196. 


MOIST  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP  551 

water  near  it.  A  broach  is  drawn  through  tlie  water,  then  through 
the  powder,  and  the  adherent  powder  carried  to  the  canal  and  gently 
passed  into  the  moist  putrid  contents  of  the  canal;  a  reaction  occurs 
between  the  water  and  sodium  dioxid  as  follows:  Na202  +  2H2O  = 
H2O2  +  2NaOH,  producing  hydrogen  dioxid  and  sodium  hydrate. 

The  sodium  hydrate  or  lye  saponifies  all  fatty  matters  and  destroys 
organic  matter,  even  living  matter,  and  the  hydrogen  dioxid  liber- 
ates nascent  oxygen,  which  is  a  disinfectant.  No  oil  or  phenol 
should  be  used  with  dry  sodium  dioxid,  as  an  explosion  may  occur. 
The  use  of  the  alloy  kalium  natrium  in  a  moist  canal  causes  an 
oxidation  of  the  metals  by  the  O  of  the  water,  flame  being  the 
result  of  ignition  of  the  hydrogen.  Sodium  and  potassium  hydrate 
are  formed. 

The  result  of  the  reaction  should  be  washed  out  with  a  gentle 
stream  of  warm  water,  while  a  broach  is  gently  passed  to  and  fro 
through  the  mass.  The  action  is  then  repeated  as  far  as  it  can  be 
carried. 

The  danger  in  the  use  of  these  material  lies  in  the  possibility  of 
the  production  of  a  chemical  inflammation  of  the  apical  tissue,  due 
to  the  nascent  hydrates,  if  the  foramen  be  open,  which  inflammation 
may  be  severe,  or  in  the  possibility  of  a  non-sterilization  of  the 
contents  of  inaccessible  canals.  For  this  reason  it  may  be  well  in 
fine  roots  to  follow  with  the  Rhein  method,  or  to  use  a  fornralin 
solution  for  the  purpose  of  completing  the  sterilization  in  the  more 
open  roots,  and  20  per  cent  formalin  or  25  per  cent,  ethereal  pyro- 
zone  (H2O2)  for  the  finer  roots. 

Following  this  the  root  filling  is  either  attempted  immediately 
with  removable  antiseptic  root  fillings  or  a  dressing  of  5  per  cent, 
formalin  introduced  into  the  dried  canal  for  a  few  days. 

Any  irritation  of  chemical  nature  may  be  treated  in  anticipation  by 
the  use  of  counterirritants  applied  to  the  gum.  While  this  may  be 
done  in  some  cases  the  occasional  production  of  an  abscess  leads  the 
editor  to  strongly  advise  the  first  treatment  suggested.  The  writer 
on  a  Monday  lanced  an  acute  abscess  on  a  cuspid  treated  with  this 
alloy  by  a  clinician  at  a  clinic  on  Saturday.  Opening  the  canals 
under  antiseps  is  with  formocresol  kept  in  them  while  broaching, 
etc.,  is  an  even  better  immediate  method,  but  still  not  so  good  as 
twenty-four  hours'  sterilization,  then  free  opening. 

The  filling  of  canals  by  driving  wood  points  saturated  in  carbolic 
acid  into  the  infected  canals,  forcing  carbolic  acid  by  pressure  into 
the  apical  tissue,  and  the  filling  with  gutta-percha  are  all  successful 
in  many  cases;  but  there  is  much  likelihood  of  a.pical  abscess,  or,  at 
least,  of  traumatic  or  chemical  irritation,  which  it  requires  much 


552  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP 

courage  not  to  undo,  with  a  patient  complaining,  and  some  doubt  as 
to  whether  an  abscess  will  result,  so  that  more  gradual  yet  thorough 
work  is  advisable,  at  least  for  the  young  practitioner  who  must 
retain  the  confidence  of  the  patient. 

Hoffendahl,^  of  Berlin,  has  extended  the  demonstration  of  Zierler 
and  shown  that  the  constant  galvanic  electric  current  from  a  battery 
of  from  30  to  40  Leclanche  cells  to  overcome  the  resistance  of  the 
tissues  will  electrolytically  decompose  0.75  per  cent,  sodium  chlorid 
solution  and  drive  nascent  chlorin,  H2O2,  and  oxygen  through  even 
fine  root  canals  and  into  the  infected  tissue  about  an  abscess  cavity. 
Thus,  electrolysis  and  cataplioresis  are  brought  into  play.  The 
current  does  not  pass  through  the  side  of  the  root ;  a  street  or  central 
direct  current  with  a  rheostat  attachment  reducing  the  current  to 
from  0  to  80  volts  is  equally  effective. 

The  tooth  should  be  rubber  dammed  to  insulate  the  gum.  The 
canal  should  be  carefully  cleansed,  so  as  not  to  permit  ptomains  to 
pass  into  the  apical  tissues,  and  then  filled  with  a  sodium  chlorid 
solution.  A  fine  platinum  electrode  is  introduced  into  the  moist 
canal,  and  must  be  attached  to  the  positive  pole  of  the  battery.  A 
large  moist  negative  electrode  is  to  be  applied  to  the  hand  to  lessen 
resistance  and  conduct  the  current  to  the  negative  pole  of  the  battery. 
The  size  prevents  uncomfortable  sensations  about  the  tooth.  The 
rheostat  should  be  manipulated  so  as  to  introduce  the  current  gradu- 
ally until  about  1.5  mi.  is  recorded  on  the  meter,  and  should  be 
continued  for  five  minutes.  An  antiseptic  dressing  is  then  inserted, 
and  a  few  days  later  the  current  is  repeated  to  destroy  any  bacteria 
developed  in  the  interim,  when  the  root  may  be  filled.  Hoffendahl 
employs  a  paste  of  paraform,  thymol,  oil  of  cloves,  and  zinc  oxid 
packed  by  means  of  asbestos  fibers. 

In  experiments  in  conjunction  with  W.  D.  Miller  they  found  0.6 
mi.  passed  for  ten  minutes  through  a  putrid  pulp  to  which  pure 
cultures  of  germs  were  added,  sterilized  the  pulp  so  that  agar  cultures 
failed;  canals  of  multirooted  teeth  are  best  treated  separately. 

The  principle  involved  in  immediate  sterilization  is  the  destruction 
of  all  septic  matter  within  the  canal  and  beyond  the  apex  at  the  first 
sitting. 

After  the  canal  disinfection  is  accomplished  by  one  or  more  of  the 
various  immediate  means  suggested,  its  walls  should  be  desiccated 
and  made  absorbent  by  means  of  hot  air,  then  moistened  with  euca- 
lyptol  or  forma-percha,  and  a  root  filling  of  temporary  stopping  or 
gutta-percha  packed  in.     If  aristol  be  added  to  these  the  effect  is 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1905. 


MOTST  GANG  RENE  OF  THE  PULP  553 

increased.  Cotton  and  tor  ma-perch  a  make  a  readily  removable 
filling  suitable  to  cases  in  which  some  doubt  exists.  I  have  had 
excellent  results  in  molars  with  this  material.  (See  p.  52().)  A  tem- 
porary filling  of  l)ase-plate  gutta-i)ercha  is  then  placed  in  the  crown 
cavity  as  a  test  filling,  or,  in  case  of  need,  the  filling  may  be  inserted. 

Any  apical  irritation  may  be  attri])nted  to  the  disinfectant  and  be 
treated  by  counterirritation,  or  the  counterirritant  may  be  applied 
as  a  precaution  at  the  time  of  operation.  Refrigeration  of  the  gum 
over  the  root  liy  means  of  ethyl  chlorid  is  a  valuable  means  of  reducing 
inflammation  in  these  cases.  This  traumatic  irritation  is  often 
mistaken  for  acute  septic  pericementitis.  Any  irritation  not  too 
severe  is  to  be  considered  as  due  to  non-septic  causes  and  treated 
accordingly.  A  few  of  these  cases  may,  of  course,  result  in  failure 
owing  to  imperfection  in  the  application  of  the  method.  The  great 
majority  of  cases  are  successful.  Still,  if  one  desire  still  fewer  failures, 
employ  the  first  method. 

The  withdrawal  of  the  cotton  dressing  in  the  tentative  method 
should  be  done  under  aseptic  precautions.  There  may  be  found  no 
collection  upon  cotton.  In  such  case  a  fresh  twist  on  a  Swiss  broach 
should  be  passed  to  the  apex  to  determine  its  condition.  If  nothing 
be  found  the  root  may  be  dried  and  filled  unless  odor  be  present, 
when  the  root  should  be  resterilized  before  filling  or  the  dressing 
renewed. 

Active  hemorrhage  may  ensue  or  serum  may  ooze  from  the  apical 
tissue.  This  may  be  checked  with  25  per  cent,  pyrozone,  adrenalin 
chlorid,  1  to  1000,  or,  preferably,  alum  and  thymol,  and  the  root 
filled. 

If  the  apical  foramen  be  a  large  one,  and  if  a  pus  flow  follow  the 
removal  of  the  temporary  dressing  and  be  but  slight,  the  pyrozone  or 
zinc  chlorid  (or  both)  should  be  used  and  the  root  filled.  The  con- 
dition is  one  of  apical  abscess  without  fistula,  and  is  often  amenable 
to  immediate  root  filling.  If,  however,  this  be  not  considered  advis- 
able, the  temporary  dressings  may  be  renewed,  though  often  without 
benefit.  Sometimes  a  thick,  glairy  fluid  will  ooze  from  the  apical 
tissue.  This  is  coagulable  lymph,  and  the  parts  require  treatment 
in  the  same  manner  as  when  a  slight  amount  of  pus  is  present.  The 
principle  involved  in  the  departure  to  an  immediate  method  of 
treatment  is  based  upon  the  thorough  sterilization  of  the  apical 
tissue,  the  sealing  of  the  canal  to  prevent  infection  from  the  mouth, 
and  the  prevention  of  effusions  from  the  apical  tissue  into  the  canal. 
This  done,  the  apical  tissue  is  expected  to  care  for  itself. 

In  order  to  prevent  apical  irritation  in  so  far  as  possible,  the  gum 
is  to  be  painted  with  ordinary  tincture  of  iodin  or  spotted  with  the 


554  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP 

dental  tincture  of  iodin,  both  lingually  and  bucally,  as  a  counter- 
irritant. 

I^ — Iodin Siij 

Alcohol BJ 

Shake  frequently  for  a  week  or  two.     (Flagg.) 

If  infection  of  the  apical  tissue  by  any  chance  ensue,  either  as  the 
result  of  the  operation  of  canal  cleansing  or  previous  to  operative 
interference,  the  disease  known  as  septic  apical  pericementitis  is 
established. 

Pericementitis  following  the  opening  of  teeth  containing  gangrenous 
pulps  has  been  explained  upon  the  ground  that  the  bacteria  in  the 
absence  of  free  admission  of  oxygen  have  lost  their  virulence,  which 
is  restored  when  the  air  is  admitted.  It  is  quite  likely  that  either 
this  is  true  or  that  extraneous  bacteria  are  introduced  during  the 
course  of  treatment. 

In  case  of  partial  moist  gangrene  in  which  a  portion  of  a  filament 
is  gangrenous  and  the  balance  of  it  vital,  or  in  which  one  root 
filament  is  dead  and  the  other  vital,  the  treatment  must  be  varied 
to  suit  the  requirements.  The  dead  portion  is  removed  as  described 
and  the  living  portions  treated  as.  ulcerated  pulps.    (See  p.  470.) 

In  a  few  cases  the  continuity  of  the  canal  has  been  lost  because  it 
has  become  involved  in  caries  upon  one  side  of  the  root.  To  remedy 
this,  if  the  root  be  still  salvable,  the  cavity  should  be  excavated  and 
then  a  tapering  probe  run  through  the  tap  in  the  crown  and  into 
the  apical  portion  of  the  root  canal.  Around  this  a  non-shrinking 
amalgam  filling  may  be  built.  The  probe  is  then  withdrawn,  leaving 
a  canal  in  the  amalgam  through  which  when  hard  the  canal  may 
later  be  treated  and  filled  (Fig.  369).  As  a  means  of  preventing 
the  effects  of  sepsis  under  cement  through  the  absorption  of  septic 
matter,  powdered  thymol  in  about  5  per  cent,  should  be  added  while 
mixing  the  cement. 

Discoloration  of  the  Teeth  by  Moist  Gangrene. — In  the  final 
decomposition  of  the  pulp  a  pigment  molecule  is  formed,  which, 
entering  the  tubules  or  formed  in  it,  stains  the  dentin  and  imparts 
an  abnormal  color  to  a  portion  or  nearly  all  of  the  crown,  which 
ranges  from  an  almost  imperceptible  loss  of  translucency  to  a  yellow 
brown,  slaty  gray,  or  bluish-black  color.  Also  in  conditions  of 
venous  hyperemia  or  pulpitis,  with  which  venous  hyperemia  (stasis) 
is  associated,  the  escape  of  the  red  corpuscles  into  the  tissue,  their 
disintegration,  and  the  solution  of  the  hemoglobin  then  occurs,  and 
the  solution  enters  the  tubules,  staining  the  dentin  a  pink  color, 
which  soon  passes  into  a  purplish  rose,  and  finally  becomes  bluish 
black  or  slaty  gray. 


MOIST  GANGRENE  OF   THE  PULP  555 

Those  cases  resulting  in  the  yellowish  or  brownish  coloration  are 
usually  associated  with  the  loss  of  the  pulp  in  comparatively  sound 
or  totally  sound  teeth,  the  loss  occurring  probably  through  trauma- 
tism or  through  slow  atrophic  changes,  such  as  occur  in  the  forma- 
tion of  pulp  nodules,  secondary  dentin,  ai)ical  constriction,  etc. 
Apical  abscess  is  often  much  delayed,  but  sometimes  occurs,  showing 
that  pulp  decomposition  or  a  later  infection  has  occurred.  The 
demonstration  by  Ilopewell-Smith  of  fibrosis  of  the  pulp  and  the 
obliteration  of  vascular  structures  may  account  for  a  lessened  vas- 
cularity, and  the  absence  of  the  production  of  iron  sulphid  because 
of  the  absence  of  necessary  putrefaction  and  the  production  of  the 
hematoidin  products,  as  shown  below\  The  first  class  of  cases  occurs 
either  in  sound  teeth  in  which  the  pulps  have  died  by  traumatism!, 
or  in  filled  teeth  with  pulps  not  exposed,  or  in  teeth  the  pulps  of  which 
are  exposed  to  the  fluids  of  the  mouth,  permitting  putrefactive 
agencies  and  extraneous  coloring  or  color-setting  materials  to  enter. 
The  discoloration  is  most  rapid  in  the  exposed  cases. 

These  color  changes  are  rationally  explained  by  Kirk^  as  due  to 
the  decomposition  products  of  hemoglobin  existing  in  the  pulp  at 
the  time  of  its  death,  and  having  an  analogue  in  the  pigmentary 
degeneration  occurring  in  the  hemoglobin  in  a  bruise  (extravasation 
of  blood),  in  which  the  part  becomes,  first,  "black  and  blue,"  then 
passes  through  a  series  of  color  changes,  in  which  yellow,  green,^and 
bluish  black  are  notable.  These  are  due  to  new  chemical  compounds 
which  crystallize  in  the  tissue. 

These  compounds  are  divided  into  two  classes:  Hemosiderins,  or 
those  containing  iron,  and  hematoidins,  those  without  it.  Each  class 
of  these  has  several  distinct  substances  in  it,  each  having  its  own 
color  molecule. 

Kirk  states  that  methemoglobin  is  brownish  red,  hemin  bluish 
black,  hematin  dark  brown  or  bluish  black,  and  hematoidin  orange. 

Jakob  (Stengel)  gives  light  pea  green  and  brownish  red  as  the 
colors  of  hematoidin  for  an  old  hemorrhagic  focus,  showing  a  probable 
slight  chemical  variation  in  the  composition  of  the  color  molecule. 

As  the  color  changes  in  a  bruise  are  effected  under  aseptic  con- 
ditions, and  usually  the  colors  finally  produced  are  lighter  than 
the  "black  and  blue"  first  resulting,  it  is  rational  to  suppose 
that  the  yellowish  or  brownish  discoloration  of  teeth  results  under 
such  conditions  of  aseptic  decomposition  (probably  autolysis).  These 
colors,  as  remarked  by  Kirk,  are  more  or  less  permanent. 

When    a    permanent    or    progressively  darkening   slaty  gray   or 

1  American  Text-book  of  Operative  Dentistry. 


556  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP 

bluish-black  color  is  produced,  it  is  considered  by  Kirk  to  be  due  to 
the  formation  of  iron  sulphid  or  an  analogous  product  in  which  iron 
and  sulphur  are  constituents,  and  that  it  is  analogous  to  the  black 
discoloration  occurring  in  the  visceral  walls  of  animals  undergoing 
putrefactive  decomposition.  The  iron  is  liberated  from  the  hemo- 
globin present  by  putrefaction,  and  combines  with  the  ammonium 
sulphid  which  is  formed  from  the  ammonium  and  hydrogen  sulphid 
produced  by  the  putrefactive  decomposition. 

Treatment.^ — The  treatment  of  discolorations  consists  in  what  is 
known  as  the  bleaching  process,  which  means  the  reduction  of  the 
color  molecule  to  another  chemical  molecule  which  is  colorless,  and 
then  washing  that  out  of  the  tubules.  This  is  usually  done  by  the 
use  of  chemicals  which  directly  supply  a  molecule  of  nascent  oxygen 
when  coming  in  contact  with  the  putrefactive  material  or  its  product, 
the  color  molecules,  or  which,  as  chlorin,  abstracts  hydrogen  from 
the  water  present  and  so  liberates  a  molecule  of  nascent  oxygen, 
which  combines  with  the  color  molecule.  These  are  direct  or  indirect 
oxidizing  agents,  the  effect  being  the  same,  i.  e.,  an  oxidation  of  the 
color  molecule.  A  second  class,  as  sulphurous  acid,  which  abstracts 
oxygen  from  the  color  molecule,  is  called  a  reducing  agent,  and  may 
be  effective  when  the  oxidizing  agents  fail. 

In  the  use  of  bleaching  agents  the  canal  should  have  been  cleansed 
and  disinfected  with  a  simple  aqueous  solution  of  formalin  or  25  per 
cent,  ethereal  pyrozone,  or  an  aqueous  solution  of  hydrogen  dioxid, 
or  with  sodium  dioxid,  all  oils  or  other  materials  likely  to  complicate 
the  color  molecule  being  avoided.  V/ith  the  exception  of  formalin, 
these  are  also  bleaching  agents  and  to  an  extent  aid  the  subsequent 
operation.  Formalin  would  best  be  avoided  in  cases  of  recent  pulp 
death,  as  it  may  harden  the  undecomposed  fibrils  in  the  dentin.  The 
upper  half  or  two-thirds  of  the  canal  should  then  be  filled  with  gutta- 
percha or  oxychlorid  of  zinc,  leaving  the  crown  and  one-third  of  the 
root  dentin  to  be  bleached. 

After  accurate  rubber  damming  the  most  valuable  and  facile 
method  consists  of  placing  a  pellet  of  cotton  saturated  with  25  per 
cent,  ethereal  pyrozone  in  the  pulp  chamber  and  sealing  it  after 
careful  drying  of  the  lingual  tap  or  cavity  orifice  by  dropping  soft, 
quick-setting  cement  upon  the  margin  and  sealing  the  entire  tap. 

The  rubber  dam  should  not  be  removed  until  the  cement  has  set, 
as  the  ether  or  oxygen  gas  may  cause  it  to  bulge  or  blister.  This  is 
then  allowed  to  have  twenty-four  or  even  more  hours  of  action,  when, 
if  necessary,  it  may  be  removed.  The  operation  may  be  watched  at 
the  first  or  the  second  sitting  if  desired,  though  it  may  be  somewhat 
prolonged. 


MOIST  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP  557 

Aqueous  25  per  cent,  pyrozone  may  be  made  by  shaking  together 
in  a  test-tube  one  volume  of  distilled  water  and  two  volumes  of 
25  per  cent,  ethereal  pyrozone  and  evaporating  the  ether,  the  H2O2 
being  left  in  aqueous  solution;  the  addition  of  sodium  acetate  or 
sulphate  assists  the  passage  of  the  current.  This  is  introduced  by 
means  of  the  cataphoric  current,  the  positive  pole  being  in  the  tooth, 
the  negative  at  the  hand.  Occasionally  the  reversal  of  the  pole 
succeeds  after  failure,  the  tubular  contents  probably  being  discharged 
with  the  H2O2  present  in  them. 

Oxygen  may  be  liberated  from  sodium  dioxid  (Xa202)  by  sulphuric 
acid.  A  saturated  solution  of  sodium  dioxid  is  made  by  surrounding 
a  small  beaker  containing  about  2  drams  of  distilled  water  with 
cracked  ice.  When  cold  the  sodium  dioxid  powder  is  to  be  slowly 
dusted  into  it  until  it  assumes  a  semi-opaque  appearance,  indicating 
saturation.  In  use  the  dried  dentin  is  saturated  with  it,  asbestos 
fiber  being  used  to  carry  it  to  place,  and  10  per  cent,  sulphuric  acid  is 
used  to  produce  the  liberation  of  oxygen  with  the  following  equation: 
NaoOo  +  H2SO4  =  Na2S04  +  IW2. 

The  effervescence  forces  the  tubular  contents  out.  The  sodium 
dioxid  acts  upon  putrefactive  material,  decomposing  it,  and  also 
saponifies  fatty  matters. 

If  the  operation  fall  short  of  success,  this  is  due,  in  Kirk's  opinion, 
to  the  formation  of  iron  oxid,  which  can  be  removed  with  oxalic  acid 
by  sealing  a  crystal  of  it  in  the  pulp  chamber  for  twenty-four  hours. 

The  tubular  contents  being  entirely  removed  by  the  sodium-dioxid 
method,  the  tooth  is  more  translucent  than  by  other  bleaching 
methods  in  which  the  bleached  organic  debris  remains  in  the 
tubules. 

The  chlorin  method,  introduced  by  Truman,  depends  for  its 
efficiency  upon  the  affinity  of  chlorin  for  hydrogen,  forming  hydro- 
chloric acid  (HCl).  Finding  this  in  the  water,  it  liberates  nascent  O, 
which  oxidizes  the  color  molecule,  or,  possibly,  it  abstracts  H  from 
the  organic  matter.  The  chlorin  is  usuall.y  evolved  from  chlorinated 
lime,  that  sold  in  paraffined  paper  cartons  or  glass  bottles  being  the 
best.  That  sold  in  metal  cans  is  often  contaminated  by  the  metallic 
chlorids. 

The  dry  powder  is  packed  into  the  cavity,  moistened  with  50  per 
cent,  acetic  acid,  and  sealed  in  with  oxyphosphate  or  temporary 
stopping  for  one  or  two  da}s,  and  repeated  if  necessary.  Only  vul- 
canite, bone,  ivory,  or  wood  instruments  should  be  used,  as  metal 
instruments  are  acted  upon  by  the  chlorin.  All  gold  or  metallic 
fillings  should  be  removed  for  the  same  reason,  and  if  their  removal 


558  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP 

would  cause  hardship  or  so  render  the  tooth  into  a  condition 
indicating  crowning,  either  this  should  be  done  or  the  direct  oxidizing 
method  tried. 

The  liberation  of  sulphurous  acid  may  be  induced  from  a  powder 
consisting  of  a  mixture  of  sodium  sulphite,  100  grains,  and  boric 
acid,  70  grains,  separately  desiccated  and  afterward  ground  together 
in  a  mortar,  by  acting  upon  it  with  a  drop  of  water.  The  cavity  is 
stopped  by  a  plug  of  gutta-percha  previously  prepared  and  warmed. 
The  following  reaction  occurs: 

2H3BO3  +  SNasSOs  =  2Na3B03  +  3H2O  +  SSO^. 

In  all  the  methods,  except  the  use  of  Na202,  the  apex  of  the  canals 
should  be  sealed  before  and  after  bleaching;  at  least  1  pint  of  hot 
distilled  water  should  be  forcibly  injected  into  the  tooth  to  dissolve 
out  all  products  of  chemical  action  remaining  in  the  tubules,  a  towel 
being  used  to  catch  the  drip.  The  tooth  is  then  thoroughly  dried, 
and  if  any  organic  matter  may  be  present  in  the  tubules  the  pulp 
cavity  should  be  thinly  hned  with  oxychlorid  of  zinc  to  coagulate 
it.  If  it  has  been  removed,  as  in  the  sodium  dioxid  method,  leaving 
the  tubules  empty,  they  should  be  filled  with  cavitin  varnish  after 
desiccation  to  promote  absorption,  and  the  thin  lining  then  placed. 
A  temporary  filling  is  to  be  inserted  over  this  until  success  is  evident, 
when  the  permanent  work  is  completed  with  zinc  phosphate  and  a 
metal  filling. 

The  removal  of  metalHc  stains  has  been  referred  to  on  page  317. 

Moist  Gangrene  of  Pulps  of  Temporary  Teeth. — The  same  con- 
siderations pertain  to  moist  gangrene  of  the  pulps  of  temporary 
teeth,  but  as  the  roots  are  resorbed  to  some  extent  or  are  to  be 
resorbed,  the  root  filling  should  be  of  such  a  character  as  to  permit 
its  resorption.  Probably  a  combination  of  paraffin  and  aristol  will 
best  fulfil  the  indications.  An  iodoform  paste  is  preferred  by  some. 
(See  Root  Canal  Fillings.) 

If  the  roots  be  much  resorbed,  it  is  better  to  use  a  material  which 
will  permit  venting  of  the  tooth  if  necessary.  The  canals  and  pulp 
chamber  may  be  filled  with  a  combination  of  vaselin  and  aristol,  and 
this  covered  by  a  filling.  If  trouble  arise,  a  spear  drill  is  driven  into 
the  pulp  cavity  from  a  point  beneath  the  gum  margin,  establishing 
a  vent.  The  patient  should  be  instructed  to  keep  this  open,  and  be 
furnished  a  Swiss  broach  for  the  purpose. 

At  an  age  when  the  permanent  tooth  will  shortly  thereafter  erupt, 
extraction  of  the  temporary  tooth  is  often  to  be  preferred  to  treat- 
ment. 


MOIST  GANGRENE  OF  THE  PULP  559 

Root-canal  Work  in  Cases  of  Gangrenous  Pulps  Involving  Future 
Consideration. — In  some  cases  of  doubtful  root  sterilization  or 
filling,  and  in  wliich  crowning  by  means  of  dowelled  crowns  is  a 
necessity,  ])rovision  may  be  made  for  future  relief  or  treatment  by 
the  employment  of  one  of  two  excellent  methods  of  procedure: 

1,  Kirk  has  suggested  that  the  post  and  band  of  a  Richmond  crown 
be  painted  while  warm  with  a  solution  of  gutta-percha  in  chloroform. 
The  solvent  evaporates,  leaving  a  coating  of  gutta-percha.  The 
crown  is  then  set  with  cement.  By  warming  the  crown  with  a  hot 
crown-setting  tool  (How)  or  forceps,  it  may  be  removed  without 
destruction  of  the  piece.  Bridges  so  set  are  very  firm.  The  crown 
may  be  set  with  gutta-percha  alone. 

2.  Girdwood  (Edinburgh)  has  suggested  root  intubation,  the  tube 
being  closed  at  the  end  with  temporary  stopping  and  then  set  with 
cement.  Immediately  thereafter  the  temporary  stopping  and  soft 
cement  are  removed  with  Donaldson  cleansers,  leaving  the  root 
lumen  free  to  the  apical  foramen  or  root  filling.  The  tube  and  canal 
are  then  treated  as  a  continuous  root  canal  would  be.  The  idea  is 
also  applied  to  a  Richmond  or  all-porcelain  crown,  the  tube  being 
used  in  place  of  the  pin,  and  allowed  to  extend  through  the  backing, 
to  be  later  filled  as  desired. 


SECTION  V 

DISEASES  OF  THE   PERICEMENTUM 


CHAPTER    XIX 

SEPTIC   APICAL   PERICEMENTITIS    (ACUTE) 

Classification. — The  dental  periosteum  and  ligament,  or  the  peri- 
cementum, is  the  seat  of  numerous  nutritive  and  functional  disturb- 
ances, which  may  be  grouped,  according  to  their  causes,  into  septic 
and  non-septic. 

The  term  pericementitis  has  been  indiscriminately  applied  to  all 
affections  of  the  pericementum,  and  in  some  cases  erroneously,  for  in 
not  all  affections  of  this  structure  do  the  phenomena  of  inflammation 
appear;  in  some  hyperemia  alone  may  exist.  However,  most  of  the 
acute  and  chronic  degenerations  are  accompanied  by  evidences  of 
inflammation. 

Bcdecker's  division  of  the  affections  of  the,  pericementum  into 
purulent  and  non-purulent  is  misleading.  Cases  may  be  due  to 
septic  causes  without  pus  formation;  pus  formation  represents  but 
one  form  of  sepsis. 

The  most  convenient  clinical  classification  of  these  disorders  is  that 
offered  by  G.  V.  Black  .-^  (1)  Diseases  of  the  pericementum  beginning 
at  the  apex  of  the  root;  (2)  those  beginning  at  the  gum  margin;  (-3) 
those  beginning  in  some  intermediate  portion  of  the  pericementum. 
These  may  again  be  divided,  according  to  their  causes,  into  septic 
and  non-septic.  Another  clinical  classification  would  be  into  localized 
and  general  disturbances — another  into  acute  and  chronic. 

Evidences  of  Pericemental  Disturbance.— It  was  noted  in  the 
study  of  the  diseases  of  the  dental  pulp  that  the  diagnostic  signs  of 
pulp  disturbance  were  exaggerated  or  diminished  response  to  thermal 
stimuli;  reflected  instead  of  localized  pains;  and,  except  in  rare  cases 
of  advanced  hyperemia,  no  tenderness  upon  percussion.  Disturb- 
ances of  the  pericementum  are  accompanied  by  entirely  different 

'  American  System  of  Dentistr\ ,  vol.  i. 

36 


562  SEPTIC  APICAL  PERICEMENTITIS 

symptoms  which  serve  to  distinguish  between  them  and  diseases  of 
the  piiip.  They  are,  in  general,  tenderness  upon  percussion.  As 
shown  by  Black,^  the  pericementum  is  the  touch  organ  of  the  tooth, 
its  tactile  organ,  through  which  a  tooth  locates  force  applied  to  the 
tooth.  The  pains  of  pericemental  disturbance  are,  therefore,  in  the 
majority  of  cases,  exactly  localized,  instead  of  not  being  localized,  as 
in  the  case  of  the  pulp.  A  tooth  tender  upon  percussion  has  its 
pericementum  as  the  seat  of  disturbance.  Most  cases  of  peri- 
cemental diseases  are  accompanied  by  vascular  reactions  ranging 
from  an  increased  blood  flow  or  grades  of  hyperemia  to  pronounced 
inflammation,  and  have  the  corresponding  symptoms.  The  increased 
volume  of  the  pericementum  causes  the  protrusion  and  loosening  of 
the  tooth,  heightened  sensitivity  being  the  accompaniment.  As  the 
vascular  supply  of  the  pericementum  and  that  of  the  gum  are  in  a 
degree  collateral  (see  p.  181),  evidences  of  vascular  engorgement 
are  seen  in  the  gum  overlying  the  affected  tooth.  Owing  to  the 
altered  density  of  the  parts  surrounding  the  tooth  root,  percussion 
upon  the  tooth  elicits  a  different  sound  from  that  observed  in  health 
— the  sound  is  dull.  The  general  symptoms  of  pericemental  affections 
are,  therefore,  tenderness  upon  percussion  and  a  dull  percussion  note, 
more  or  less  protrusion,  and  looseness  of  the  tooth  and  a  deepening 
of  the  local  gum  color. 


DISEASE  OF   THE  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  THE  APEX 

Diseases  of  the  pericementum  beginning  at  the  apex  of  the  root 
are  of  two  classes,  septic  and  non-septic.  The  septic  cases  are  almost 
invariably  the  sequel  to  diseases  of  the  pulp,  namely,  suppuration 
and  gangrene,  or  arise  in  consequence  of  infection  through  the  canals 
of  pulpless  teeth.  The  non-septic  cases  are  due  to  mechanical  and 
chemical  irritants,  and  in  rare  cases  to  undiscovered  causes. 

Acute  Septic  Apical  Pericementitis ;  Acute  Alveolodental  Abscess ; 
Dento-alveolar  Abscess. — Definition.— By  septic  apical  pericementitis 
is  meant  an  inflammation  of  the  apical  pericementum  due  to  the 
entrance  of  septic  organisms  into  the  tissue  lying  in  the  apical 
space. 

Causes. — The  most  common  causes  of  septic  apical  pericementitis 
are: 

1.  Septic  organisms  engaged  in  the  putrefaction  of  a  gangrenous 
pulp.  The  gases  and  toxic  products  evolved  by  the  process  also 
cause  much  irritation. 

'  American  System  of  Dentistry,  vol.  i. 


DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX     503 

2.  Pyogenic  organisms  engaged  in  the  production  of  suppuration 
of  the  pulp  in  its  later  stages. 

3.  Septic  organisms  introduced  into  the  otherwise  aseptic  tissues 
of  the  apical  space  by  means  of  instrumentation  or  other  lack  of 
aseptic  precautions. 

4.  Infection  of  an  apical  space  by  an  abscess  arising  in  some  con- 
tiguous part  and  extending  in  the  direction  of  the  apical  space  under 
consideration. 

5.  Septic  infection  from  a  pyorrhea  pocket  located  upon  the  side 
of  the  tooth  in  question,  the  deepest  portion  of  which  approximates 
the  apical  space. 

6.  Possible  infection  by  way  of  the  pericemental  tract  from  the 
gum  margin  or  by  way  of  the  circulation,  which  infection  may  cause 
a  pericemental  abscess  located  in  the  apical  tissue. 

The  last  two  conditions  would  be  septic  apical  pericementitis, 
but  are  to  be  considered  separately  as  pericemental  abscess.  (See 
Pyorrhea  Alveolaris.)  As  a  cause  of  apical  abscess  it  is  rare,  but 
has  been  seen. 

Apart  from  these  causes  infective  inflammation  of  apical  tissue 
does  not  seem  to  occur.  It  is  to  be  remembered  that  a  small  portion 
of  gangrenous  pulp  beneath  a  root-canal  filling  is  equivalent  to  an 
entire  gangrenous  pulp  as  a  cause  of  pericementitis.  The  vast 
majority  of  cases  occur  as  a  sequel  to  moist  gangrene  of  the  pulp, 
either  before  or  after  instrumentation,  or  as  a  result  of  infection  of 
the  apical  tissue  by  instruments  either  unsterilized  or  reinfected  by 
contact  with  the  oral  fluids. 

The  organisms  found  in  acute  apical  abscesses  are  those  usually 
found  in  gangrenous  and  suppurating  pulps,  and  in  a  certain  per- 
centage of  even  healthy  mouths.  (See  p.  46.)  Schreier  found  the 
Diplococcus  pneumoniae  in  15  out  of  20  cases  examined.  He  also 
found  Staphylococcus  pyogenes  albus  and  aureus,  and  occasionally 
Streptococcus  pyogenes. 

Arkovy  found  the  Bacillus  gangrenae  pulpse  in  a  number  of  cases. 
(See  p.  513.)  These  are  virtually  the  same  organisms  that  are  found 
in  the  deeper  portions  of  a  suppurating  or  gangrenous  pulp;  this 
fact  in  itself  is  enough  to  show  the  continuity  of  infection  from  the 
pulp  canal.  It  is  a  well-known  clinical  fact  that  acute  outbreaks  of 
septic  apical  pericementitis  are  most  liable  to  occur  under  those 
conditions  when  patients  "take  cold."  Schreier  points  out  that 
these  atmospheric  states  produce  a  bodily  condition  which  favors 
the  development  of  the  Diplococcus  pneumoniae  (Pneumococcus), 
and  finds  in  the  association  of  these  factors  the  reason  why  this 
diplococcus  should  be  pathogenic  in  the  dental  condition. 


564 


SEPTIC  APICAL  PERICEMENTITIS 


Pathology,  Morbid  Anatomy,  and  Symptoms. — The  Inflammatory 
Stage. — As  in  abscess  elsewhere  there  is  first  infection  by  pyogenic 
organisms  which  produce  the  phenomena  of  infective  inflammation 
within  the  substance  of  the  apical  tissue,  and  in  the  later  stages  in 
the  contiguous  tissues. 

Following  the  infection,  arterial  hyperemia  is  produced,  sensation 
is  exalted,  and  the  tooth  becomes  tender  upon  percussion;  but  if 
forcibly  pressed  upon — i.  e.,  if  the  arteries  be  compressed — the  hyper- 
emia is  momentarily  lessened  and  the  pressure  brings  a  sense  of 
relief.  At  this  stage  the  gum  over  the  apex  looks  normal,  but^may 
respond  to  pressure. 

Fig.  515 


Showing  the  morbid  anatomy  of  septic  apical  pericementitis  (acute):  A,  pus;  B,  area  of  dying 
leukocytes;  C,  septic  matter  in  root  canal;  D,  inflammation  of  process  (osteomyelitis;  area  of  lesser 
inflammation);  E,  swollen  periosteum  and  gum,  hyperemic;  F,  alveolar  bone  in  a  state  of  hyper- 
emia; G,  pericementum  at  edge  of  necrosis. 


Following  the  arterial  hyperemia,  the  venous  obstruction  which 
ends  in  stasis  is  inaugurated  and  diapedesis  of  leukocytes  and  fibrin- 
ous exudation  into  the  intervascular  tissue  occurs.  The  fixed  cells 
undergo  proliferation. 

As  this  condition  of  inflammation  becomes  established  the  pain  due 
to  pressure  upon  the  sensory  nerves  becomes  of  a  violent  throbbing 
character,  accompanied  by  a  sense  of  fulness.  The  swelling  of  the 
tissue  about  the  apex  of  the  root,  due  to  the  excess  of  fluid,  blood, 
leukocytes,  and  tissue  cells,  of  necessity  pushes  the  tooth  from  its 


DISEASE  OF"  PERICEMENfUM  BEGINNING  AT   APEX     oGo 

socket,  so  that  it  feels  and  is  longer  than  the  other  teeth.    Moreover, 
as  it  is  bitten  upon  the  apical  tissue  is  further  irritated.    The  tooth  is 

Fig.  516 


A  B 

A,  method  of  accurately  determining  length  of  root;  B,  a  cyst  extending  from  left  lower  second 
bicuspid  to  the  central  of  same  side.  The  central  has  a  root  filling.  In  absence  of  other  things 
this  may  be  regarded  as  the  origin  of  the  cyst. 

Fig.  517 


Acute  abscess  in  second  stage.    Tooth  opened  at  6  for  treatment,  making  an  abscess,  discharging 

via  the  canal.     (Black.) 


Fig.  518 


Fig.  519 


Abscess  on  crowned  root.     (Skiagraph  by 
Lodge.) 


Abscess  on  incomplete  root.     (Skiagraph 
by  Lodge.) 


566 


SEPTIC  APICAL  PERICEMENTITIS 


Fig.  520 


loosened  and  percussion  induces  pain  and  elicits  the  dull  note  which 
is  diagnostic  of  the  increase  of  bulk  in  the  pericementum.  The  color 
of  the  gum  over  the  root  becomes  deepened. 

First  Stage  of  Pus  Formation. — The  central  area  of  the  apical 
tissue — i.  e.,  that  next  the  apical  foramen — is  broken  down  into  pus, 
some  of  which  enters  the  root  canal  (Fig.  515,  A).  As  the  area  of 
pus  formation  widens,  all  of  the  apical  tissue  is  liquefied  (Fig.  517,  a). 
From  a  clinical  point  of  view  the  abscess  is  incipient  when  inflamma- 
tion of  the  apical  tissue  next  to  the  foramen  is  profound,  and  pus 
formation  has  just  begun  (Fig.  515).  The  first  stage  continues  while 
the  pus  is  in  the  apical  tissue. 

Second  Stage  of  Pus  Formation. — The  bone  cells  become 
involved  in  the  process  and  are  destroyed  (osteitis).    The  throbbing 

pain,  the  extrusion,  looseness,  and 
dulness  to  percussion,  and  the 
inflammation  and  edema  of  the  con- 
tiguous tissues  are  marked.  The 
gum  is  widely  inflamed,  reddened, 
and  swollen,  but  no  demarcation 
of  an  abscess  may  be  noted  upon 
the  gum  at  this  stage.  The  mem- 
branes of  the  adjoining  teeth  be- 
come irritated  and  hyperemic,  and 
they  may  exhibit  tenderness  upon 
percussion  (Fig.  517). 

Third  Stage  of  Pus  Forma- 
tion.— The  pus  continues  to  form 
in  all  directions  until  the  bone  is 
perforated  at  some  point — i.  e., 
usually  through  the  labial  alveo- 
lar plate — that  being  the  thinnest 
and  most  readily  perforated.  The 
periosteum  is  now  destroyed  and 
the  gum  tissue  directly  involved 
as  a  boundary  to  the  pus,  which 
collecting  beneath  it,  raises  it  into 
a  distinctly  demarked  tumefaction 
(Fig.  520,  h).  The  pain  becomes 
less  acute,  owing  to  the  binding 
resistance  of  the  gum  being  less  than  that  of  the  bone.  At  first 
the  swelling  is  hard,  and  this  represents  a  mass  of  gum  tissue  over- 
lying pus;  later,  it  softens  at  its  highest  point,  pus  appears  as  a 
yellow  spot  beneath  the  mucous  membrane.     The  mucous  mem- 


Acute  alveolar  abscess  of  a  lower  incisor 
in  the  third  stage,  with  pus  cavity  between 
the  bone  and  the  periosteum:  a,  pus  cavity 
in  the  bone;  6,  pus  between  the  periosteum 
and  bone;  c,  lip;  d,  tooth;  e,  tongue. 
(Black.) 


DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX     oG7 

brane  bursts  and  a  discharge  of  pus  follows.  The  inflammation 
and  tenderness  then  largely  subside,  but  some  degree  of  looseness 
and  protrusion  remains. 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  second  and  in  the  third  stage  of  pus 
formation,  instead  of  the  swelling  extending  but  little  beyond  the 
overlying  gum,  the  tissues  of  the  lips,  cheeks,  or  neck  may  be  very 
much  swollen  and  with  upper  teeth  the  eye  of  the  affected  side 
injected.  In  some  cases  the  outer  skin  may  become  reddened  and 
dusky,  exliibiting  the  evidences  of  extension  of  the  inflammatory 
process  far  from  its  original  site. 

The  inflammatory  process  spreads  out  from  the  central  focus  of 
pus  formation,  there  being  around  the  pus  a  zone  of  active  inflamma- 
tion or  stasis;  about  this  one  of  a  lesser  degree  of  inflammation,  also 
full  of  leukocytes;  about  this  an  area  of  arterial  hyperemia  or  the 
first  stage  of  inflammation,  and  around  this  normal  tissue.  These 
areas  are  not  sharplv  defined,  but  merge  into  one  another  (Fig.  515, 
A,D,E,F). 

In  this  way  the  contiguous  area  of  the  alveolar  bone  and  the  soft 
tissues  of  the  face  become  involved  in  the  process,  being  discolored 
and  tumefied  in  proportion  to  the  extent  of  the  pus  formation  and  the 
inflammatory  reaction  thereto. 

While  in  the  vast  majority  of  cases  the  direction  taken  by  the  pus, 
and  the  point  at  which  it  finds  exit,  is  the  buccal  or  labial  aspect,  and 
immediately  over  the  root  apex  of  the  aflfected  tooth,  or  near  it, 
these  being  the  directions  of  least  resistance,  other  anatomical  con- 
ditions or  histological  peculiarities  may  make  the  direction  of  least 
resistance  in  some  other  path  (Figs.  521  to  524). 

Instead  of  the  circumscribed  suppuration  described  as  the  ordinary 
course  of  abscess  formation  about  the  apices  of  roots  (septic  apical 
pericementitis)  which  accompanies  infection  by  the  staphylococci, 
clinical  evidences  of  infection  by  streptococci  occasionally  appear. 
The  inflammatory  process,  instead  of  being  circumscribed,  is  diffuse; 
the  inflammation  extends  along  the  lines  of  the  connective  tissues  and 
of  the  lymphatics;  the  connective  tissues  are  swollen,  the  swelling 
extending  to  the  tissues  of  the  cheek,  down  the  neck,  and  even  to 
the  shoulder — a  phlegmonous  inflammation.  Instead  of  the  com- 
paratively free  flow  of  pus  which  follows  incision  of  the  swelling  in 
ordinary  abscess,  pus  formation  in  streptococcus  infection  is  seen, 
upon  incision,  to  be  limited  and  seropurulent.  While  in  alveolar 
abscess  of  the  ordinary  types  evidences  of  septic  intoxication  or 
poisoning  are  unusual,  the  lymphatics  being  blocked,  as  a  rule,  by 
the  inflammatory  exudates,  septic  intoxication  and  poisoning  are  the 
rule  in  the  erysipelatous  cases,  those  probably  due  to  streptococcus 


568  SEPTIC  APICAL  PERICEMENTITIS 

infection;  bacterial  poisons  being  taken  up  by  the  lymphatics  find 
their  way  into  the  circulation. 

The  symptoms  of  the  absorption  of  bacterial  products  from  the 
circumscribed  abscesses  are:  Fever,  often  ushered  in  by  a  distinct 
chill.  The  pulse  increases  in  volume  and  tension;  it  is  full,  hard, 
and  frequent.  The  tongue  is  coated,  the  bowels  constipated.  The 
patient  is  also  weakened  and  made  irritable  by  pain  and  attendant 
loss  of  sleep  and  appetite. 

In  the  streptococcal  infection  there  is  danger  that  these  may 
change  into  the  more  profound  symptoms  of  septicemia — i.  e.,  a 
soft,  frequent  pulse,  repeated  chills,  diarrhea,  clammy  skin,  general 
depression,  and  a  disordered  nervous  system. 

In  multirooted  teeth  the  inflammation  and  abscess  frequently 
appear  on  only  one  root.  If  the  case  be  seen  early,  before  the  active 
exudation  period  of  the  inflammation  sets  in,  the  symptoms  may  be 
clearly  localized  in  one  root,  the  tooth  exhibiting  tenderness  upon 
pressure  over  the  affected  root,  but  not  upon  the  opposite  side. 

After  spontaneous  discharge  of  the  pus  from  an  abscess,  the 
condition  remaining  is  that  of  an  ulcerous  surface  (the  abscess 
boundaries)  which  is  being  continuously  infected  from  the  putrescent 
pulp  remnants.  The  conditions,  it  is  seen,  are  not  like  those  of 
ordinary  abscess,  where  the  infective  material  is  largely  discharged  in 
the  pus  evacuation,  and  the  cells  bounding  the  abscess  wall  dispose 
of  remaining  bacteria,  so  that  regeneration  of  tissue  occurs.  Spon- 
taneous healing  of  an  apical  abscess  is  the  exception;  the  embryonic 
tissue  lining  the  abscess  walls,  being  continuously  infected,  degener- 
ates and  dies  as  fast  as  it  forms,  leaving  a  condition  known  as  chronic 
apical  abscess,  or  chronic  purulent,  apical,  septic  pericementitis. 

Clinical  History. — The  clinical  history  of  acute  alveolar  abscess 
may  be  divided  into  three  stages:  (1)  That  of  initial  inflammation 
and  pus  formation;  (2)  the  destruction  of  the  alveolar  process;  (3) 
the  passage  of  pus  through  the  periosteum  and  mucous  membrane. 
The  second  stage  is  usually  the  longest.  The  duration  of  the  disease 
depends  upon  the  readiness  with  which  the  tissues  between  the  point 
of  beginning  pus  formation  and  its  exit  yield.  When  the  pulp 
chamber  is  open  pus  may  find  exit  by  this  path,  constituting  the 
condition  known  as  blind  abscess — a  misnomer,  because  a  blind 
abscess  is  one  without  a  point  of  discharge,  without  a  fistula  leading 
to  it;  in  the  cases  discharging  via  the  canal,  the  latter  may  be 
considered  a  fistula  (Fig.  517). 

Acute  abscesses  usually  run  a  short  course,  the  inflammatory 
symptoms  being  severe  and  the  tissue  destruction  limited.  Notably 
upon  lower  molars,  and  upon  the  palatal  roots  of  upper  molars, 


DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX     .509 

the  density  and  thickness  of  bone  overlying  the  roots  may  make 
paths  of  greatly  increased  resistance,  so  that  the  destruction  of 
tissue  proceeds  along  the  line  of  the  pericementum,  the  pus  finding 
exit  at  the  neck  of  the  tooth.  It  is  rare  in  cases  of  lower  second 
molars,  and  still  more  rare  upon  the  third  molars,  that  pus  finds 
exit  over  the  apex  of  the  root,  the  dense  bone  of  the  external  oblique 
line  offering  the  greatest  resistance  (Fig.  521).  Over  any  teeth 
the  outer  fibrous  layers  of  the  external  periosteum  may  present 
unusual  resistance  to  the  perforative  advance  of  pus,  so  that  when 
the  fibers  of  attachment  of  the  periosteum  have  been  softened  by 
the  inflammation,  and  pus  gains  entrance  between  bone  and  peri- 
osteum, it  may  travel  or  burrow  along  the  course  of  this  membrane 
(Fig.  522),  depriving  the  bone  of  its  main  nutritive  source,  so  that 


Fig.  522 


Abscess  upon  lower  third  molar,  showing 
the  usual  paths  of  pus  exit,  A  and  B. 


Abscess  upon  palatal  root  of  an  upper  molar  dis- 
charging at  the  neck  of  the  tooth. 


limited  necrosis  threatens.  The  roots  of  the  central  incisors  may  lie 
unusually  close  to  the  floor  of  the  nose,  and  be  overlaid  externally 
by  an  unusually  resistant  layer  of  bone;  in  these  cases  the  path  of 
least  resistance  may  be  in  the  direction  of  the  floor  of  the  nose,  the 
abscess  opening  at  that  point  (Fig.  523) ,  or  the  pus  may  perforate 
the  lingual  alveolar  plate,  and,  raising  the  periosteum  and  mucous 
membrane,  form  a  large  swelling  upon  one  side  of  the  hard  palate. 

The  root  apices  of  the  posterior  upper  teeth,  particularly  of  the  first 
and  second  molars,  may,  after  the  age  of  twenty-five  or  thirty,  be 
encroached  upon  by  the  enlarging  maxillary  sinus,  so  that  any  or  all 
of  the  roots  of  these  teeth  may  be  separated  from  the  floor  of  the 
sinus  by  but  a  very  thin  lamina  of  bone  or  only  by  periosteum  and 
mucosa;  should  abscess  arise  upon  any  of  these  roots,  pus  discharge 
into  the  antrum  would  necessarily  follow.    In  these  cases  the  acute 


570 


SEPTIC  APICAL  PERICEMENTITIS 


symptoms   may   rapidly    subside,    but   later    symptoms    of   antral 
empyema  may  follow  (Fig.  524). 

Resort  to  the  use  of  poultices  upon  the  face,  for  the  relief  of  the 
pain  of  abscess  formation,  may  induce  such  a  softening  of  the  tissues 
over  which  they  are  applied  that  the  passage  of  pus  is  invited  toward 
the  exterior;  the  abscess  may  thus  open  upon  the  face  or  neck, 
producing  permanent,  disfiguring  scars  (Fig.  554). 


Fig.  524 


Alveolar  abscess  at  the  root  of  a 
superior  incisor,  discharging  into  the 
nose:  a,  large  abscess  cavity  in  the 
bone;  6,  mouth  of  fistula  on  the  floor 
of  nostril;  c,  lip;  d,  tooth.    (Black.) 


Alveolar  abscess  at  the  root  of  an  upper 
molar  discharging  into  the  antrum  of  High- 
more:  a,  abscess  cavity  in  the  bone;  6,  mouth 
of  fistula  on  the  floor  of  the  antrum;  c,  pus 
in  the  antralcavity.    (Black.) 


In  patients  who  are  in  a  cachectic  condition,  who  have  an  evil 
heredity,  or  whose  tissue  resistance  is  markedly  lessened  in  conse- 
quence of  tuberculosis,  or  more  frequently  of  syphilis,  septic  peri- 
cementitis may  run  a  riotous  course;  the  bone  suffers  extensively  by 
direct  action;  the  periosteum  is  undermined,  is  stripped  from  the 
bone  over  large  areas,  and  breaks  down  readily;  so  that  while  in 
the  healthy  person  alveolar  abscess  formation  may  run  a  direct 
course  and  find  prompt  outlet,  in  the  syphilitic  patient  extensive 
pus  infiltration,  with  necrosis,  may  occur.  In  cachectic  persons  lym- 
phatic involvement  is  common;  waste  products  of  bacterial  origin 
find  their  way  into  the  lymphatics,  and  set  up  secondary  irritative 
processes  in  the  nearest  lymphatic  glands — lymphadenitis. 

In  persons  whose  oral  hygiene  is  neglected  the  third  stage  of 
alveolar  abscess  is  frequently  violent  and  the  inflammatory  process 
widespread. 

Diagnosis. — In  incipient  apical  pericementitis  the  symptoms  may 
consist  of  reflex  painSj  but,  as  a  rule,  are  distinctly  localized  in  the 
teeth  affected,  which  are  tender  to  the  touch.    The  discoloration  of 


DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX     571 

the  tooth  crown  and  other  evidences  of  moist  gangrene  are  usually 
present  unless  the  tooth  has  been  previously  partially  treated,  when 
the  color  may  be  good,  but  by  transmitted  light  opacity  is  noted. 
In  a  few  cases  the  tooth  has  had  almost  a  normal  color  even  under 
the  transmitted  light.  In  the  pronounced  cases  the  symptoms  are  as 
described. 

Upon  a  sound  tooth  the  evidences  of  pulp  vitality  or  death  should 
be  observed — i.  e.,  the  pink  translucency  or  the  opacity  to  light 
transmitted  by  an  electric  mouth  mirror,  or  the  thermal  tests  of 
great  heat  or  cold  applied 

Fig.  525  Fig.  526 


Diagnosis  of  apical  abscess  by  x-rays. 
(Price. 1) 


Skiagraph  of  perforation  and  apical  abscess;  wire  thrust 
through  same.     (Lodge's  method.) 


If  the  tooth  be  filled,  or  the  dentin  uncovered  at  any  point,  the 
interrupted  electric  current  or  the  galvanic  current,  with  the  anode 
applied  to  the  tooth,  the  cathode  at  the  hand,  produces  a  slight 
shock.  In  case  of  exposed  dentin,  dryness  may  interfere  with  the 
test.  When  a  sinus  is  present  a  soft  silver  probe  may  often  be  passed 
toward  the  tooth  affected. 

A  timid  patient  will  often  unintentionally  confuse  pericemental 
tenderness  with  the  pain  of  sensitive  dentin. 

In  very  doubtful  cases,  as  when  molars  have  deep  amalgam  fillings, 
or  pins  have  been  placed  in  root  canals,  or  gold  crowns  cover  the 
natural  crowns,  either  the  covering  must  be  removed  or  a  skiagraph 
be  taken. 

After  high  inflammation  has  existed  for  twenty-four  hours,  pus  is 
generally  present  in  the  apical  tissue. 

Of  two  pulpless  teeth  surrounded  by  a  zone  of  inflammation,  the 
most  tender  and  loosened  is  the  one  affected,  though  both  may  be 
acting  at  once.     It  is  to  be  remembered  that  adjoining,  otherwise 


1  Items  of  Interest,  1901. 


572 


SEPTIC  APICAL  PERICEMENTITIS 


Fig.  527 


normal,  teeth  may  show  some  evidence  of  pericementitis,  due  to 
extension,  so  that  differentiation  is  necessary.  The  various  stages 
of  inflammation  and  pus  formation  are  judged  by  the  appearance  of 
the  gum  or  by  the  a:-rays  (Fig.  525).  The  greater  the  swelhng  and 
injection  of  the  gum,  the  more  advanced  is  the  pus  formation. 

The  inflammatory  action  precedes  the  advance  of  pus,  which 
furnishes  a  guide  to  the  direction  the  pus  is  pursuing — viz.,  where 
the  most  intense  coloration  and  the  greatest  swelling  appears  will  be 
the  point  at  which  the  abscess  will  point  or  discharge.  A  sudden 
subsidence  of  inflammation  without  an  immediately  discoverable 
point  of  pus  exit  should  lead  to  the  suspicion  that  the  discharge  has 
taken  place  in  an  unusual  situation. 

The  direction  pus  may  take  is  often  determined  by  gravity,  but 
the  resistance  of  certain  tissues  may  cause  the  pus  to  seek  the  easiest 

path.  Thus,  by  discharging  into  the  an- 
trum it  goes  rather  counter  to  gravity. 
In  such  cases  as  discharge  into  the  an- 
trum there  is  liable  to  be  a  collection  of 
pus  in  that  cavity  which  may  cause  destruc- 
tion of  the  mucous  membrane  and  bone. 
This  condition  is  known  as  empyema  of 
the  antrum.  The  sudden  subsidence  of 
an  acute  abscess  upon  a  tooth  located 
beneath  the  antrum  should  create  a  sus- 
picion of  discharge  into  that  sinus.  If  a 
fine  probe  can  be  passed  an  unusual  length 
into  a  root  canal  it  indicates  this  form 
of  sinus  involvement. 

An  abscess  originating  about  an  im- 
pacted tooth,  or  one  due  to  subperiosteal 
inflammation,  must  be  differentiated^ 
(Fig.  527). 
A  pericemental  abscess  must  also  be  considered.  It  is  always  more 
lateral  and  there  is  less  facial  involvement,  also  there  is  usually  a 
pyorrhea  pocket  leading  to  it.  An  acute  abscess  of  the  pulp  in  its 
most  pronounced  stage  may  simulate  incipient  or  even  pronounced 
acute  apical  pericementitis.     (See  p.  473.) 

An  abscess  sometimes  forms  beneath  the  flap  of  gum  overlying 
a  third  molar.  This  begins  as  an  ulceration  of  the  under  side  of  the 
flap,  but  the  pus  burrows  between  the  tooth  and  the  gum,  and  when 
well  confined  may  develop  laterally,  causing  the  formation  and  at 
least  partial  retention  of  a  quantity  of  pus  in  the  tissues  of  the  cheek. 


Non-descended  cuspid  and  lat- 
eral. These  teeth  were  entirely 
enveloped  in  pus.  The  cuspid 
and  lateral  shadows  overlie  each 
other.  Between  these  and  the 
first  bicuspid  may  be  seen  three 
tiny  supernumeraries.     (Lodge.) 


'  Black:     American  System  of  Dentistry,  vol.  i. 


DISEASE  OF  PERICEMESTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX     oTS 

This  condition  more  nearly  simulates  the  lateral  abscess  associated 
with  a  pyorrhea  pocket,  and  as  by  extension  it  sometimes  involves 
the  tonsil,  the  case  may  be  mistaken  for  an  amygdalitis. 

The  last  three  conditions  are  usually  associated  with  suspected 
teeth  containing  vital  pulps,  so  that  tests  for  pulp  vitality  are  to  be 
applied. 

In  certain  cases  of  pulp  gangrene  part  of  the  pulp  only  may  be 
dead — e.  g.,  the  lingual  filament  of  the  pulp  of  an  upper  molar;  while 
the  balance  may  be  vital  (the  buccal  filaments).  This  fact  may  con- 
fuse the  response  to  tests  and  is  to  be  borne  in  mind.  A  broken  root 
covered  more  or  less  by  gum  or  carious  bone  must  be  taken  into 
account. 

Prognosis. — In  the  majority  of  cases  the  prognosis  of  acute  apical 
abscess,  as  to  the  future  retention  of  the  tooth,  is  favorable;  and 
usually  very  favorable  if  the  case  receive  intelligent  therapeutic  aid. 
The  future  of  the  tooth  depends  upon  the  thoroughness  with  which 
sources  of  infection  may  be  destroyed  and  permanently  removed, 
and  the  completeness  with  which  regeneration  of  tissue  can  be 
induced. 

Treatment. — In  the  initial  inflammation  and  first  stage  of  pus  for- 
mation the  treatment  should  be  abortive,  to  afford  relief  from  the 
pain.  The  cause  of  the  inflammation  should  be  removed,  if  possible, 
and  the  pus  formed  be  removed  or,  at  least,  permitted  to  escape  by 
way  of  the  pulp  canals.  The  promptness  of  relief  from  pain  depends 
upon  the  thoroughness  with  which  this  is  accomplished. 

The  pulp  chamber  should  be  opened  to  an  extent  w^hich  permits 
the  free  passage  of  broaches  into  the  canal  (Figs.  517  and  522). 

If  the  cavity  of  decay  be  open,  the  pulpal  wall  is  to  be  perforated. 
If  a  filling  be  present,  it  is  in  part  or  entirely  removed.  If  the  enamel 
be  entirely  sound,  or  if  subsequent  treatment  require  a  new  opening 
in  line  with  the  pulp  canals,  it  is  at  least  in  part  made. 

These  openings  are  usually  begun  with  a  small,  spear-pointed  drill 
(Xo.  100  S.  S.  W.  Catalog)  revolving  in  a  perfectly  true  hand  piece. 
To  centre  the  drill,  first  spot  the  enamel  with  a  dentate  bur.  The 
opening  made  is  enlarged  with  successive  sizes  of  sharp,  round, 
dentate  burs  until  of  sufficient  size. 

According  to  the  amount  of  tenderness,  the  tooth  will  require  a 
counterpressure  to  that  of  the  drill.  If  the  entrance  be  made  through 
the  occlusal  face  of  the  tooth,  or  in  a  direction  which  would  cause 
direct  pressure  on  the  apical  pericementum,  a  ligature  of  linen 
thread  with  long  ends  may  be  placed  around  the  tooth,  and  traction 
be  made  by  drawing  on  the  loose  ends  of  the  ligature.^     EfTective 

•  J.  Foster  Flagg:    Lectures  on  Dental  Therapeutics. 


574  SEPTIC  APICAL  PERICEMENTITIS 

counterpressure  against  lateral  entrance  to  the  pulp  chamber  may 
be  made  by  softening  a  small  roll  of  modelling  compound  and  mould- 
ing over  the  face  of  the  affected  tooth  and  several  of  those  adjoining 
it,  and  hardening  with  cold  water.  This  temporary  splint  is  held  in 
place  by  the  index  finger  of  the  left  hand.  In  case  the  inflammatory 
process  is  marked,  or  if  the  patient  be  in  bed,  it  may  be  necessary 
to  make  a  vent  opening  by  the  easiest  path,  especially  when  using  a 
hand  drill — i.  e.,  at  the  junction  of  enamel  and  cementum — directly 
into  the  chamber. 

As  soon  as  entrance  to  the  pulp  chamber  is  effected,  the  cavity 
is  syringed  with  a  strong  antiseptic.  Fine  probes  are  passed  and 
repassed  into  the  opening  to  free  the  outlet,  so  that  gases  and  pus 
may  escape  and  fresh  portions  of  the  antiseptic  be  worked  into  the 
cavity.  The  escape  of  blood  from  the  canal  is  a  sign  that  all  the  pus 
is  vented.  The  quickness  with  which  relief  is  secured  will  depend 
upon  the  thoroughness  with  which  the  canals  are  entered  and  their 
putrid  contents  given  vent.  A  tedious  class  of  cases  are  those  in 
which  a  canal  of  a  molar  is  filled  or  partially  filled.  Unless  entrance 
to  and  cleansing  of  the  canal  be  accomplished,  the  inflammation 
will  proceed  until  the  pus  finds  external  vent.  An  hour  spent  in 
gaining  access  to  and  cleansing  such  canals  is  well  spent. 

The  canals  may  be  dried  and  an  anodyne  antiseptic,  such  as 
phenol  camphor  plus  menthol,  pumped  into  them.  If,  now,  pro- 
vision against  mastication  upon  the  elongated  tooth  be  made  by 
means  of  a  guard,  relief  is  tolerably  certain. 

Watkins^  has  used  "blue  Hght"  apphed  from  a  16-candle  power 
blue-globed  electric  lamp  through  a  funnel  directly  upon  the  part. 
He  claims  relief  from  the  pain,  enabling  him  to  open  the  tooth 
previously  too  painful  to  be  operated  upon.  He  also  claims  that 
swelling  is  much  reduced  by  it,  in  some  cases  in  twenty  minutes. 

Patients  do  not  ordinarily  tolerate  the  rubber  dam  in  these  cases, 
and  as  the  tooth  should  be  left  open  it  need  not  be  used. 

A  guard  may  be  made  from  a  strip  of  rubber  dam  two  inches  long 
and  of  a  width  corresponding  to  the  distance  from  the  buccal  to  the 
lingual  gum  margins  and  folded  into  a  pad  of  the  width  of  the 
occlusal  face  of  the  tooth  to  be  covered.  Floss  silk  is  then  sewed 
through  this  in  such  a  manner  as  to  cause  it  to  tie  the  pad  over  the 
tooth,  the  silk  itself  encircling  the  neck  of  the  tooth.^  This  should 
be  attached  to  a  nearby  tooth,  and  will  insure  rest  of  the  affected 
pericementum  by  preventing  occlusion  upon  the  crown  (Fig.  528). 

Cold  antiphlogistics,  such  as  lead  water  and  laudanum  or  cata- 

I  Dental  Cosmos,  1905.  '  Flagg. 


DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX     575 

plasma  kaolini,  should  be  applied  externally.  No  hot  external 
applications  should  be  used  in  abscess  cases,  as  they  may  cause  an 
external  fistula  to  be  formed. 

The  mouth  is  to  be  frequently  washed  with  an  antiseptic.  In 
simple  cases  with  prompt  relief  this  is  all  that  is  necessary;  in  marked 
cases  the  reduction  of  the  inflammatory  engorgement  should  be 
attempted  in  addition. 

Swedish  leeches  may  be  applied  to  the  gum,  or  a  cut  or  two  made 
in  the  gum  over  the  apex  of  the  tooth  will  allow  free  bloodletting 
and  drainage  of  the  excess  of  blood  in  the  pericementum.  A  hot  pedi- 
luvium  and  a  saline  cathartic  conjoined  are  useful  as  counterirritant 
derivatives,  and  the  latter  is  also  depletive,  reducing  the  volume  of 
the  blood.  The  hot  pediluvium  with  mustard  added  and  diaphoresis 
conjoined  are  also  useful.  Ten  grains  of  Dover's  powder  in  divided 
doses  in  hot  lemonade  are  given,  in  part,  while  the  pediluvium  is 
being  administered,  and  the  patient  is  later  well  covered  up  in  bed. 

Fig.  528 


Rubber  dam  guard  for  use  in  pericementitis:    A,  roll  of  dam  threaded;  B,  guard  fitted  over  tooth; 
tooth  eliminated  to  show  the  manner  in  which  the  silk  encircles  it. 

Quinin  in  doses  of  gr.  vj  is  given  as  a  febrifuge  and  to  limit  exu- 
dation, and  tincture  of  aconite,  two  drops  at  first,  and  one-half  drop 
each  half  hour  is  given  until  the  volume,  tension,  and  frequency  of 
the  pulse  are  reduced. 

If  syphilis  be  a  complication  in  these  cases,  potassium  iodid,  in 
doses  of  10  grains  each  three  hours,  is  useful  as  an  antagonist  of  its 
influence  and  as  a  nervous  sedative.  Unless  Dover's  powder  is  used, 
morphin  sulphate  in  blondes  and  morphin  bimeconate  in  brunettes 
(especially  those  with  blue  eyes),  or  any  persons  wath  known  idio- 
syncrasies to  morphin,  should  be  administered  in  |  grain  doses, 
repeated  each  hour  up  to  f  grain.  When  great  suffering  renders  it 
necessary,  a  h\"podermic  may  take  its  place.  When  used,  a  saline 
cathartic  should  be  given  the  following  morning. 

These  several  measures  are  to  be  regarded  as  the  abortive  treat- 
ment of  alveolar  abscess;  they  apply  to  all  cases  if  seen  early  enough, 
and  will  in  the  majority  of  cases  prevent  the  disease  of  the  peri- 
cementum passing  the  early  inflammatory  stages.     In  all  cases  the 


576  SEPTIC  APICAL  PERICEMENTITIS 

severity  of  the  inflammatory  process  is  lessened  in  proportion  to 
the  thoroughness  with  which  the  antiseptic  measures  are  apphed, 
provided  that  in  the  attempt  at  such  apphcation  no  septic  matter 
be  violently  thrust  through  the  apical  foramen,  especially  of  the  one 
of  a  multirooted  tooth  not  involved. 

While  this  is  true,  marked  relief  is  so  often  given  in  even  severe 
cases  by  the  simple  opening  of  the  pulp  chamber  by  means  of  a  spear 
drill,  thus  permitting  the  gases  and  pus  to  find  vent,  that  in  those 
cases  in  which  tenderness  of  the  tooth  prevents  thorough  opening, 
or  when  patients  are  confined  to  bed  by  illness,  such  an  opening  may 
be  made,  either  at  the  neck  of  the  tooth  or  through  a  filling.  If  the 
patient  admit  a  marked  relief  upon  venting,  further  relief  may  be 
expected,  as  a  rule,  even  though  the  tooth  be  still  painful. 

The  Second  Stage  of  Acute  Apical  Abscess. — In  very  mild  stages  the 
pus  is  in  the  bone  and  the  infection  considered  more  virulent,  i.  e., 
the  germs  are  specially  active.  The  abortive  treatment  should  first 
be  tried,  and  if  free  venting  of  pus  is  obtained  relief  is  usually  given. 
If  not  given  the  case  continues  to  the  third  stage.  If  bearable,  or 
the  surgical  method  be  impracticable,  a  dental  capsicum  plaster 
may  be  applied  to  tt^e  gum  or  a  roasted  half-raisin  may  be  applied. 
Either  causes  an  inflammation  of  the  gum,  which  advances  the  tissue 
that  much  nearer  suppuration.  Thus  it  prepares  a  readily  invaded 
tissue  and  hastens  pointing.  The  contrary  effect  has  sometimes 
been  produced,  and  is  explained  upon  the  ground  that  the  increased 
amount  of  blood  has  increased  the  phagocytosis  and  destruction  of 
bacteria  or  his  stimulated  a  restoration  of  the  circulation,  possibly 
both.  Morphin  is  a  useful  adjunct  when  the  pain  is  severe.  For 
the  purpose  of  hastening  suppuration,  calx  sulphurata,  |  grain  each 
hour,  is  useful.  It  also  sometimes  hastens  resolution.  It  is  proper 
to  denominate  this  the  expectant  treatment,  and  while,  perhaps, 
unsurgical,  at  times  permits  no  alternative  except  extraction. 

When  tolerable  or  imperative,  the  surgical  method  of  venting  the 
abscess  through  an  opening  in  the  gum  is  valuable.  The  apical 
region  is  located  as  nearly  as  possible  by  measuring  the  length  of  the 
tooth  with  a  probe  passed  into  the  canal  and  over  which  a  small 
piece  of  rubber  dam  is  slipped  as  a  guide.  This  is  laid  over  the 
crown  and  gum  and  a  tiny  drop  of  carbolic  acid  is  placed  just  above 
the  point  of  the  probe  as  a  guide.  A  vertical  cut  is  made  in  the 
gum  down  to  the  bone,  and  a  broad  spear  drill  is  driven  through  it 
into  the  abscess  tract.  Whether  this  shall  be  done  under  ethyl 
chlorid  refrigeration,  cocainization,  or  short  general  anesthesia,  the 
operator  must  determine. 

A  gradual  perforation  is  useful  in  some  cases.     This  method, 


DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX     5/7 

designed  by  Black,  consists  in  gradually  escharing  and  scratching 
the  gum  tissue.  Successive  applications  of  just  such  carbolic  acid 
as  adheres  to  the  point  only  of  a  sharply  serrated  plugger  are  made, 
followed  by  slight  scratching  only  so  that  blood  shall  not  be  drawn. 
In  this  way  the  bone  is  ultimately  reached. 

A  fresh  drop  of  acid  is  applied,  the  periosteum  scraped  away 
slightly,  and  the  drill  then  used. 

A  Rollins  tubular  knife  (Fig.  529)  has  been  used  with  success  to 
remove  a  piece  of  gum,  after  which  the  drill  or  a  fine  trephine 
(Fig.  530)  is  used.  Some  acute  pain  may  follow  this  operation,  but 
usually  lasts  only  a  short  time. 

Fig.  529  P'ig.  530 


A 


y 


Tubular  knives. 


o  O 


Walker- Younger  trephines. 


If  antiseptics  are  used  to  syringe  out  the  abscess  cavity,  it  is  better 
to  use  a  mixture  of  six  parts  hamamelis  (aqueous)  and  one  part 
Listerine  as  a  partial  sedative.  The  use  of  hydrogen  dioxid  is  often 
very  painful,  owing  to  the  rapid  reaction  with  the  blood  present,  and 
as  it  sometimes  also  drives  the  infective  material  into  remote  parts 
without  disinfecting  it,  its  use  in  this  connection  is  not  without 
danger,  and  should  be  avoided. 

It  has  been  a  subject  of  controversy  whether  a  tooth  should  be 
extracted  while  the  abscess  is  in  the  second  stage.  It  has  been 
claimed  that  the  continuation  of  pus  formation  after  extraction 
renders  the  state  of  the  patient  worse  than  before  extracted. 

This  occurrence  is  comparatively  infrequently  seen,  and  is,  of 
course,  due  either  to  the  retention  of  some  pyogenic  organisms 
beneath  the  clot  which  forms  in  the  alveolus  or  the  infection  of  the 
parts  by  extraneous  organisms. 

The  retention  of  the  tooth  until  a  fistula  forms  would  also  confine 
the  bacteria  for  the  time. 
37 


578  SEPTIC  APICAL  PERICEMENTITIS 

Unquestionably  metastatic  infections  have  appeared  as  the  result 
of  persistent  local  infection  following  tooth  extraction,  the  avenue 
being  the  lymphatics;  therefore,  in  cases  of  extraction  during  the 
second  stage  of  pus  formation  the  alveolus  should  be  forcibly 
syringed  for  ten  minutes  with  hydrogen  dioxid,  in  every  four  ounces 
of  which  1  grain  of  mercuric  chlorid  has  been  dissolved.  If  it  be 
thought  desirable  to  repeat  the  syringing,  a  tent  of  antiseptic  gauze 
may  be  gently  carried  to  the  apex  of  the  alveolus  and  left.  This 
tent  may  be  removed  to  permit  syringing,  and  should  never  he  left 
long  at  any  one  time,  as  septic  inflammation  of  the  alveolar  walls  may 
occur.  It  also  does  not  drain  pus  readily,  so  it  might  cause  an 
abscess  if  left  too  long. 

In  cases  of  this  kind  oral  sterilization  and  anti-infective  systemic 
medication  are  of  importance.  As  soon  as  improvement  is  noted  the 
tent  should  be  removed,  the  alveolus  sterilized  as  before,  and  a  new 
clot  induced  by  a  curetting  of  the  walls.  The  case  should  now  pro- 
ceed as  any  ordinary  extraction;  if  not,  it  should  be  treated  as  for 
dry  socket  (which  see). 

In  a  reply  to  a  circular  letter  of  questions  regarding  this  point. 
Black,  Kirk,  Ottolengui,  Hoffheinz,  and  Schamburg  all  favored 
extraction  as  a  means  of  removal  of  the  cause  and  as  a  less  evil  than 
allowing  the  tooth  to  remain  enclosing  the  bacteria,  which,  if  cap- 
able of  producing  septicemia,  it  would  do  if  allowed  to  remain.  They 
are  therefore  in  agreement  with  the  editor's  position  taken  in  the 
second  edition  of  this  work  (1904).  Brown  argues  the  difficulty  of 
decision  in  an  individual  case.  All  are  practically  opposed  to  the 
idea  that  pneumonia  is  more  likely  to  result  from  post-extraction 
sepsis  rather  than  septicemia,  Morris^  having  taken  the  position  that 
pneumonia  resulted  from  extractions  in  this  condition.  Each  and 
all  advised  careful  ante-  and  post-extraction  antisepsis. 

The  editor  has  had  quite  a  number  of  cases  of  necrosis  (necrotic 
dry  socket)  following  extractions  at  the  hands  of  specialists,  and 
believes  they  and  he  should  have  been  more  watchful  in  these  cases, 
and  that  in  most  cases  a  strong  solution  of  potassium  permanganate 
should  be  used  before  and  after  extraction,  especially  in  cases  requir- 
ing laceration  of  the  gum.  Antiseptic  spraying  of  the  alveolus,  etc., 
is  a  reliable  measure.  In  one  case  of  extraction  of  a  lower  third 
molar  operation  under  anesthesia  for  prevention  of  progressive 
necrosis  became  necessary.  The  making  of  a  cautious  diagnosis  and 
awaiting  the  proper  time,  as  recommended  by  Mitchell,  is  a  physical 
impossibility  unless  one  await  the  third  stage  or  a  fistula  or  general 

'  Mitchell:   Dental  Cosmos,  1907,  p.  713. 


DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX      579 

infection,   as   in   this   state   the   bacteria   are   considered   virulent, 
especially  while  bone  solution  is  in  progress. 

The  Third  Stage  of  Acute  Apical  Abscess. — In  this  stage  the  pus 
has  found  its  way  through  or  beneath  the  periosteum  on  the  outside 
of  the  bone;  therefore  its  germs  are  engaged  in  liquefying  the  gum 
tissue  or  in  unusual  location  the  mucosa  or  muscular  tissue  of  the 
part.  Except  in  these  cases  the  gum  is  tumefied,  a  hard,  circum- 
scribed, inflamed  nodule  indicating  pus  near  the  bone,  a  soft,  more 
generally  diffused  swelling  indicating  more  superficially  located  pus, 
while  a  soft  yellow  or  yellowish-pink  tumefaction  indicates  pointing. 
In  all  these  cases  the  indication  is  for  a  surgical  opening  of  the  gum 
rather  than  the  opening  of  the  tooth.  The  part  should  be  gently 
disinfected  with  hydrogen  dioxid  on  a  ball  of  cotton,  and  a  sharp 
bistoury  should  be  boldly  driven  to  the  bone,  with  the  cutting  edge 
turned  toward  the  occlusal.  The  lip  or  cheek  is  to  be  drawn  well 
away  to  avoid  injuring  the  coronoid,  buccal,  or  facial  artery.  A  cut 
about  three-quarters  of  an  inch  in  length  is  rapidly  made  by  sweeping 
the  edge  and  point  downward  occlusally.  Too  deep  lancing  upon  the 
hard  palate  may  injure  the  posterior  palatine  artery. 

As  this  is  usually  painful,  it  is  better  to  refrigerate  the  gum  or 
operate  under  short  general  anesthesia,  e.  g.,  nitrous  oxid  or  the  first 
impression  of  ether.  Cocain  is  only  useful  in  the  case  of  deep-seated 
pus.  Next,  the  abscess  tract  is  to  be  gently  washed  out  with  a 
diluted  hamamelis  solution,  preferably  warmed.  Fairly  hot  water 
containing  an  antiseptic  also  gives  relief. 

If  the  abscess  has  been  deep-seated  it  is  well  to  introduce  a  fine 
tent  of  antiseptic  gauze  through  the  opening  into  the  abscess  tract 
to  prevent  the  too  rapid  healing  of  the  external  orifice  which  is  apt 
to  occur,  owing  to  the  approximation  of  the  lips  of  the  wound  pro- 
duced by  cheek  pressure.  This  healing  permits  a  second  collection 
of  pus.  The  tent  should  be  removed  not  later  than  the  next  day, 
the  abscess  tract  disinfected  again,  possibly  with  a  mercuric  chlorid 
solution,  and  the  tent  replaced.  At  this  time  the  tooth  should  be 
opened  and  disinfected  if  not  tolerable  at  the  first  sitting.  When 
this  is  tolerable  the  crow^n  should  be  tapped  and  formocresol  sealed 
in  the  pulp  chamber,  just  before  the  operation  of  lancing,  in  order 
to  permit  disinfection  and  thus  limit  pus  formation  and  to  save  time. 
Tents  in  alveoli  should  never  be  left  long  at  a  time,  as  they  become 
septic  and  may  cause  necrotic  conditions  of  the  alveolus. 

The  patient  should  always  be  cautioned  to  remove  the  tent  if 
swelling  return,  as  this  indicates  a  stoppage  of  the  vent,  with  collec- 
tion of  pus. 

When  dift'use  cellulitis  with  marked  febrile  disturbance  passing 


580  SEPTIC  APICAL  PERICEMENTITIS 

into  the  adynamic  type  is  produced,  one  should  fear  the  infection  with 
Streptococcus  pyogenes  and  treat  not  only  locally,  but  use  blood 
germicides  against  a  possible  septicemia.  In  these  cases  there  is 
little  pus  formed  compared  with  the  area  involved. 

As  a  preventive  of  possible  blood  infection  the  following  may  be 
administered : 

I^ — Hydrargyri  bichlOridi gr.  j 

Tincturse  ferri  ohloridi f§j — M. 

Sig. — Twenty  drops  in  water  four  times  a  day. 

The  editor,  while  suffering  from  a  very  "severe  abscess  about  the 
finger-nail,  due  to  infection  by  the  Streptococcus  pyogenes  and 
associated  with  lymphangitis  extending  as  a  bright  red  streak  into 
the  axilla,  employed  this  remedy  with  markedly  beneficial  effect. 

If  the  adynamia  and  other  symptoms  be  progressive,  medical 
cooperation  should  be  obtained  to  divide  the  responsibility  and  to 
afford  every  means  possible  toward  the  cure.  The  extraction  of  the 
tooth  followed  by  sterilization  and  curettement  of  the  part,  and  the  use 
of  streptococcus  antitoxin  conjoined  with  the  sustention  of  the  vital 
powers  by  nutritious  predigested  food  and  alcohol  is  logical.  (See 
p.  142,  etc.)  In  even  ordinarily  severe  cases  not  of  this  variety 
there  will  be  some  fever  due  to  the  toxin  absorbed,  and  the  pain 
and  loss  of  sleep  and  appetite  will  cause  physical  debility. 

For  this  there  is  nothing  better  than  the  following,  as  tonic, 
antiseptic,  and  antipyretic: 

B— Saloli, 

Quininse  sulphatis  (vel  hydrochloratis) aa     gr.  Ix 

M.  et  fiant  capsule  no.  xx. 

Sig. — Take  one  four  to  six  times  daily,  before  meals  when  near  them. 

Or, 

I^ — Quininse  sulphatis gr.  xxx 

Acetanilidi gr.  xxiv 

Cafleinse  citratis gr.  iij 

M.  et  fiant  pil.  no.  xij. 

Sig. — One  every  hour.     (Endelmann.) 

The  facial  swelling  resolves  with  the  cure  of  the  abscess  or  its  proper 
venting,  but  may  be  assisted  by  cold  applications  or  cataplasma 
kaolini  to  the  outside  of  the  face  and  by  gentle  massage  by  the 
patient  or  nurse. 

As  a  means  of  reducing  swelling,  vibratory  massage  is  useful.  A 
simple  appliance  for  this  purpose,  devised  by  W.  H.  Mitchell,^  con- 
sists of  a  cam-like  piece  of  metal  perforated  at  its  smaller  end  for 
mounting  upon  a  screw  mandril;  it  is  held  in  the  dental  hand  piece 

'  Dental  Brief,  1908;  Academy  of  Stomatology. 


DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX     581 

strapped  to  the  hand  as  shown.  Its  centrifugal  force  imparts  a 
vibratory  motion  to  the  hand  which  can  be  utilized  for  massage  with 
the  finger  tips,  or  by  holding  in  the  hand  an  instrument  containing 
upon  its  end  a  soft  rubber  cup.  The  part  to  be  massaged  should 
be  lubricated  with  vaselin  (Figs.  531  and  532). 


Fig.   531 


Fig.  532 


K 

.■?4 

^ 

^H 

1 

i 

^ 

p 
#■ 

■ 

f 

r^ 

.'^ 

',,. 

V       ^M 

W.   H.   Mitchell's  vibrator  strapped  to  hand. 


W.   H.  Mitchell's  vibrator  and  rubber  cap 
applicator. 


The  heat  of  a  large  electric  lamp  concentrated  upon  the  face  from 
a  short  distance  and  followed  by  massage  is  also  useful  in  facial 
swellings  due  to  cellulitis. 

Under  no  circumstances  should  hot  poultices  be  applied  to  the 
outside  of  the  face,  as  a  discharge  of  pus  in  that  direction  will  cause 
a  disfiguring  scar.  If  an  abscess  threaten  to  open  externally,  the 
abscess  should  be  opened  by  an  incision  made  from  a  point  within 
the  mouth,  and,  after  sterilization  of  the  tract,  a  drainage  tent  of 
antiseptic  gauze  should  be  introduced  nearly  to  the  bottom  of  the 
pus  cavity.  This  should  be  removed  daily,  the  abscess  cavity  steril- 
ized, and  the  tent  renewed.  An  antiphlogistic  compress  should  be 
applied  to  the  face.  The  principal  object  sought  is  the  mechanical 
apposition  of  the  walls  of  the  abscess  cavity  at  the  dependent  or 
external  portion,  in  order  that  these  shall  unite  by  granulation  and 
that  the  fistula  shall  in  this  manner  become  an  ordinary  one.  The 
patient  should  lie  in  a  position  to  counteract  the  natural  effect  of 
gravitation. 

After  lancing,  the  mouth  should  be  kept  well  sterilized  by  frequent 


582  SEPTIC  APICAL  PERICEMENTITIS 

sprays  or  gargles  of  hydrogen  dioxid,  which  may  be  diluted  to  one- 
third  strength  with  water — i.  e.,  to  a  1  per  cent,  solution. 

If,  in  connection  with  the  lower  third  molar,  marked  swelling  be 
observed  in  the  submaxillary  triangle,  free  incision  of  the  tissues  of 
the  floor  of  the  mouth  should  be  made  at  the  angle  of  Junction  with 
the  bone.  The  cut  should  be  made  close  to  the  bone  and  toward  it, 
but  not  too  deep,  lest  the  mylohyoid  artery  or  nerve  be  injured. 

The  deep  lancing  of  an  abscess  upon  the  hard  palate  may  cause 
a  cut  to  be  made  in  the  posterior  palatine  artery.  External  to  the 
jaws  the  facial  and  coronoid  arteries  are  to  be  considered.  Keeping 
close  to  the  alveolar  process  while  the  cheek  is  pulled  out  renders 
the  operation  safe. 

It  is  ever  to  be  borne  in  mind  that  so  long  as  the  cause  of  infection 
remains  pus  formation  continues,  and  so  long  as  pus  forms  tissue 
destruction  is  in  progress;  furthermore,  in  proportion  to  the  amount 
of  tissue  loss  perfect  recovery  after  alveolar  abscess  is  delayed  or 
imperfect. 

While  it  is  the  clinical  experience  of  nearly  every  operator  that 
a  tooth  and  adjacent  structures  may  recover  from  inflammation 
which  involves  not  only  the  first  tooth  attacked,  but  by  an  extension 
of  the  inflammatory  process  involves  the  general  periosteum  and 
neighboring  teeth,  provided  the  case  receive  prompt  and  decisive 
surgical  treatment,  yet  the  danger  of  necrosis  and  septicemia  in 
prolonged  cases  is  always  imminent.  When  the  general  periosteum 
is  involved,  as  shown  by  extensive  boggy  swelling  in  the  mouth,  if 
several  free  incisions  carried  to  the  bone  do  not  afford  prompt  relief, 
the  tooth  which  is  the  centre  of  infection  should  be  promptly  ex- 
tracted. If,  in  the  continued  course  of  the  pericementitis,  chills, 
followed  by  fever,  a  coated  tongue,  and  much  physical  depression 
occur,  a  general  infection  is  to  be  feared,  and  no  time  should  be  lost 
in  sterilizing  the  mouth,  extracting  the  tooth,  and  subjecting  the 
socket  to  free  spraying  with  antiseptics. 

In  cachectic  individuals  acute  abscesses  may  cause  inflammation 
of  the  deeper  tissues  and  of  the  periosteum  as  well,  and  extensive 
necrosis  may  occur.  The  after  treatment  of  acute  apical  abscess 
which  has  been  relieved  by  abortion  is  exactly  that  of  moist  gangrene 
or  of  chronic  abscess  without  fistula  (which  see).  In  very  mild 
cases  the  formaldehyd  treatment  may  be  instituted  at  once.  In 
severe  cases  it  is  better  to  allow  drainage  for  a  day  or  two.  When 
the  relief  has  been  afforded  by  lancing  the  treatment  is  as  for 
chronic  abscess  with  a  fistula. 

Acute  septic  apical  pericementitis  may  occur  on  a  temporary  tooth, 
most  frequently  a  temporary  molar.    The  symptoms  and  pathology 


DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX     583 

are  the  same,  except  that  the  looser  character  of  the  alveohir  struc- 
ture seems  to  frequently  permit  the  abscess  to  assume  the  chronic 
form  before  the  dentist  is  consulted.  Children  often  hide  these 
conditions  from  their  elders  out  of  fear  of  the  dentist.  In  strumous 
children  the  inflammation  may  be  spreading  and  the  Ij^mphatic 
glands  ma}^  be  involved.  There  may  also  be  some  symptoms  of 
septic  intoxication  evidenced  by  chills  accompanied  by  fever,  etc. 
These  cases  require  an  opening  of  the  abscess,  sterilization  of  the 
part,  and  attention  to  the  systemic  condition.  If  seen  in  the  acute 
stage  the  treatment  is  the  same  as  for  the  permanent  teeth,  unless 
the  disease  occur  shortly  before  the  date  for  eruption  of  the  per- 
manent successor,  when  the  temporary  tooth  should  be  extracted. 
If  treated,  the  canals  should  be  filled  with  materials  which  can  be 
resorbed  by  the  tissues,  such  as  paraffin  or  wax  with  aristol  or 
paraform. 

As  soon  as  the  pus  escapes,  the  condition  of  chronic  apical  abscess 
is  established. 


CHAPTER    XX 

CHRONIC  SEPTIC,   PURULENT,   APICAL   PERICEMENTITIS 
(CHRONIC   APICAL   ABSCESS) 

By  this  title  is  meant  a  condition  of  apical  pericementitis  due  to 
septic  influences  in  which  pus  is  continuously  formed  at  the  expense 
of  the  apical  pericementum  and  contiguous  tissues.  It  is  the  usual 
outcome  of  acute  apical  abscess,  and  is  established  as  soon  as  the 
pus  finds  vent  either  through  the  gum  as  a  natural  or  operative 
result,  or  through  the  root  canal  as  the  result  of  opening  the  canal. 

These  two  avenues  of  pus  escape  give  the  two  clinical  conditions  of 
(1)  chronic  apical  abscess  discharging  via  the  root  canal;  (2)  chronic 
apical  abscess  with  fistula;  (3)  a  third  condition  of  latent  chronic 
apical  abscess  (true  blind  abscess)  with  absorption  of  pus  by  the 
tissue  may  exist. 


CHRONIC  APICAL  ABSCESS  DISCHARGING  VIA  THE 
ROOT  CANAL 

Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. — First  Grade. — Upon  abortion  of 
an  acute  abscess  in  the  first  stage  the  pressure  of  pus  upon  the  apical 
tissues  is  released,  and,  as  a  rule,  the  walls  of  the  abscess  cavity 
throw  out  granulations  which  fill  it.  This  tissue  tends  to  organize 
into  more  or  less  healthy  tissue  (cicatricial  tissue).  The  bacteria 
are  killed  out  except  at  that  part  represented  by  immediate  contact 
with  the  root  foramen;  at  this  point  the  tissues  are  infected  and 
some  molecular  loss  of  tissue  as  pus  may  occur.  A  limited  loss  of 
granulation  tissue  by  pus  formation  is  compensated  for  by  the  forma- 
tion of  new  granulations.  The  conditions  are  almost  analogous  to 
those  existing  in  moist  gangrene  of  the  pulp,  and  require  analogous 
treatment. 

Second  Grade. — If  the  abortion  of  the  abscess  have  only  partly 
permitted  the  pus  to  drain,  or  the  alveolar  walls  or  crypts  of  the 
abscess  wall  remain  infected,  the  pus  will  continue  to  form  and 
escape  in  some  degree  via  the  canal.  If  the  tooth  now  be  extracted, 
a  small  abscess  sac  will  be  found  upon  the  root  end.  If  opened,  this 
will  be  seen  to  be  a  mass  of  fibrous  vascular  tissue  (inflamed  peri- 


CHRONIC  APICAL  ABSCESS  585 

cemental  apical  tissue)  having  a  central  lumen  connecting  with  the 
root  canal  (the  abscess  cavity).* 

Third  Grade. — With  partial^vent  to  the  pusjormed,  the  abscess 
cavity  of  the  second  grade  may  enlarge,  involve  the  bony  walls  of 
the  alveolus,  and  the  soft  tissues  then  prolif- 
erate  to  such    an    extent    that   they   finally  ^^°-  ^^^ 
organize   into   a  large,   fibrous,   vascular  sac 
attached   to   the   tooth.      This   sac   has   the 
central  pus  cavity  before  described,  which  is 
connected   with  the   pulp   canal.     It  may  be 
a  half-inch  or  more  in  length  (Fig.  533),  and 
may  be  extracted  with  the  tooth  or  may  be 
left    attached    to    the    bone.     It    necessarily 
occupies  in  the  latter  a  cavity  of  a  size  cor- 

.  Ill  *••  "11  Chronic     apical     abseess> 

respondmg  to  its  own  bulk.  As  its  inner  walls  third  grade:  b,  abscess  sac 
are  infected,  extraction  without   its  removal     containing   a   central   pus 

.  1  •    1  11'  cavity;  D,  apex  of  root;    C, 

leaves  an  infected  area,  which  must    be   dis-     canai  containing  pug. 
infected  or  a   secondary   acute   abscess   may 

result.  (See  p.  577.)  In  one  case  which  had  given  only  slight  uneasi- 
ness owing  to  partial  vent,  was  treated  at  two  o'clock  and  the  tooth 
extracted  at  midnight,  had  the  appearance  shown  in  Fig.  533. 

Fourth  Grade. — Instead  of  organizing,  the  fibro vascular  tissue 
may  be  liquefied  into  pus.  The  root  apex  becomes  denuded  for  a 
distance  about  the  apical  foramen.  Pus  collects  about  the  apex  of 
the  root  and  rests  upon  the  bone,  owing  to  the  influence  of  gravity. 
The  bone  is  thus  infected,  inflamed,  and  further  liquefied,  while 
necessarily  the  abscess  cavity  enlarges.  If  a  bistoury  be  thrust 
through  the  labial  alveolar  wall  in  such  a  case,  as  shown  in  Fig.  534, 
but  slight  resistance  will  need  to  be  overcome.  In  the  lower  jaw  the 
tendency  is  to  burrow  into  the  cancellated  tissue  of  the  bone  away 
from  the  tooth,  so  that  destruction  of  the  pericementum  may  not 
be  very  extensive.  In  the  upper  jaw  the  tendency  is  to  spread 
along  the  pericementum  and  into  the  cancellated  bone,  so  that  the 
cavities  of  chronic  abscess  upon  the  upper  anterior  teeth  particularly 
may  cause  extensive  excavation  in  the  palatal  process  of  the  superior 
maxillary  bone  (Fig.  536).  The  pus  may  burrow  in  irregular  and 
circuitous  directions  until  it  finds  external  vent. 

In  long-established  cases  deposits  of  pus  calculi  (serumal)  may 
form  upon  the  root  end  (Fig.  537).  The  cement  corpuscles  of  the 
apical  cementum  may  die  and  the  root  tissue  itself  become  infected. 
In  other  cases  resorption  of  the  root  end  occurs.     (See  Resorption.) 

Symptoms. — In  all  of  these  cases  the  formations  are  gradual,  owing 
to  the  partial  vent,  and  it  may  be  that  no  pain  beyond  a  slight 


586     DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX 

gnawing  or  feeling  of  fulness  or  an  occasional  reflex  pain  may  occur. 
If  for  any  reason  the  vent^become  occluded,   the  pus  formation 


Fig.  534 


Fig.  535 


Chronic  abscess  of  upper  incisor,  showing  tend- 
ency of  pus  progressively  to  destroy  pericementum, 
owing  to  the  influence  of  gravity. 


Chronic  abscess  upon  lower  tooth, 
showing  tendency  of  pus  to  sink  into 
the  substance  of  the  lower  maxilla, 
owing  to  the  influence  of  gravity. 


becomes  rapid  and  an  acute  abscess  is  set  up,  which  may  be 
painful  or  not,  according  to  the  amount  of  tension  produced  before 
discharge  of  the  pus.    Aside  from  this,  the  gum  color  at  the  apex 


Fig.  536 


Fig.  537 


Chronic  apical  abscess  discharging  through 
the  hard  palate  and  threatening  to  discharge 
labially. 


Chronic  abscess,  showing  denudation  of 
apex  of  root  (a  to  6),  with  deposits  of  calculi 
(a)  upon  cementum. 


is  somewhat  deepened,  the  tooth  is  slightly  loosened,  and  slightly 
tender  to  percussion.  Signs  of  previous  moist  gangrene  are  in 
evidence. 


CHRONIC  APICAL  ABSCESS  587 

Diagnosis. — The  passage,  without  production  of  sensation,  of  an 
undue  length  of  fine  probe  into  a  canal  is  evidence  of  destruction  of 
apical  tissue  and  a  guide  to  its  probable  extent. 

An  extensively  inflamed  gum  tissue  over  the  apex  indicates  a  prob- 
able approach  of  pus  formation  to  gum  tissue.  The  presence  of  pus 
in  the  canal  or  upon  several  dry  cottons  introduced  for  absorbent 
purposes  is  diagnostic.  If  pus  be  not  seen,  and  the  canal  be  thor- 
oughly sterilized  and  dressed  with  an  antiseptic,  the  supervention  of 
an  acute  abscess  affords  evidence  of  the  presence  of  an  abscess  sac 
or  cavity.    The  .r-rays  afford  a  means  of  diagnosis  (Fig.  550). 

Prognosis. — The  prognosis  is  favorable  to  a  cure  in  nearly  all  of 
these  cases,  provided  thorough  canal  asepsis  and  filling  can  be 
attained  and  the  abscess  cavity  can  be  drained  and  disinfected.  In 
cases  resisting  this  treatment,  a  fistula  must  be  estabhshed. 

Treatment. — The  first  and  second  grades  of  chronic  apical  abscess 
discharging  via  the  canal  may  be  treated  upon  exactly  the  same 
principles  which  are  involved  in  the  treatment  of  moist  gangrene 
of  the  pulp.  The  infection  is  considered  as  simply  more  deep  seated, 
so  that  it  is  necessary  to  pass  disinfectants  into  the  abscess  cavity 
with  two  objects  in  view:  (1)  To  destroy  the  bacteria  present;  (2)  to 
stimulate  the  tissues  to  granulative  activity.  The  canal  should  be 
sterilized  with  sodium  dioxid  and  the  foramen  very  slightly  enlarged 
if  necessary  with  a  fine  Donaldson  cleanser,  the  canal  having  been 
flooded  with  10  per  cent,  formalin  or  formocresol  as  an  antiseptic. 

If  necessary  the  root  canal  may  be  otherwise  enlarged.  (See  p.  510.) 

A  dressing  of  10  per  cent,  formalin  or  phenol-camphor  to  which  a 
little  menthol  and  a  drop  of  formaldehyd,  40  per  cent.,  have  been 
added,  or  formocresol,  should  be  loosely  placed  in  the  canal  and  the 
tooth  sealed  for  twenty-four  hours,  or,  if  the  tooth  has  been  very 
troublesome  and  still  tender,  a  soft  temporary  stopping  may  be  used 
and  the  patient  provided  with  instruments  suited  to  the  removal 
of  the  covering  and  the  cotton.  It  is  better  that  the  tooth  should 
be  under  the  control  of  the  patient.  At  the  next  sitting  the  stoppings 
are  more  tightly  made.  The  Zieler-HoflFendahl  method  may  be  used 
to  sterilize  the  root  and  abscess,  then  the  dressing  is  sealed  in  for  a 
few  days  and  renewed  as  necessary,  being  made  continuously  tighter. 
(See  p.  552.)  When  no  pus  can  be  found  on  the  dressing  or  following 
it,  or  on  an  exploratory  cotton  twist,  and  there  is  no  odor,  the  root  may 
be  filled ;  in  case  of  any  doubt  in  fine  roots,  with  a  removable  material 
such  as  forma-percha  on  cotton  or  the  paraform  alum  paste  (p.  527), 
which  may  remain  if  no  ill-results  follow.  A  temporary  crown  filling 
of  gutta-percha  should  be  used  for  a  week  or  two.  Each  change  of 
dressing  should  be  preceded  by  sterilization  of  the  cavity  and  bulb 


588     DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX 

of  the  pulp  chamber  with  a  strong  formahn  solution  to  prevent 
reinfection  of  the  apical  tissue  during  the  change,  and  it  is  well  to 
use  counterirritation  directly  after  the  root  filling. 

It  is  always  well  when  using  an  occlusal  opening  to  close  it  with 
amalgam  or  cement  after  the  first  tentative  dressing,  while  compres- 
sible dressings  are  in  place,  as  even  one  heavy  bite  upon  the  covering 
may  force  the  medicament  into  the  apical  tissue  and  renew  the  irri- 
tation. SHghtly  countersinking  the  orifice  of  the  tap  will  prevent 
an  inward  thrust  of  a  rigid  covering  overlying  cotton  (Fig.  513). 

Some  operators  prefer  to  leave  a  small  vent  in  the  temporary 
covering,  used  to  act  as  a  drain.  This,  however,  is  apt  to  prevent 
the  concentration  of  the  action  of  the  medicament  upon  the  apical 
tissue.  If  formaldehyd  be  irritant,  perforating  the  temporary  stop- 
ping with  a  pin  will  sometimes  relieve  the  pressure. 

If  pus  formation  persist  in  any  case,  with  large  foramen  the  cotton 
may  either  be  protruding  from  the  root  and  keep  up  irritation  or 
fall  short  of  the  root  end  and  permit  pus  to  enter  the  canal,  and 
especially  if  no  pain  has  been  produced,  good  results  sometimes 
follow  a  departure  to  the  immediate  method  of  root  filling.  The 
canal  and  pus  cavity  are  resterilized,  a  little  zinc  chlorid  or  carbolic 
acid  is  pressed  into  the  apical  tissue,  and  the  canal  apex  filled  with 
gutta-percha  or  oxychlorid  of  zinc.  The  tissues  are  expected  to 
care  for  themselves.  A  persistent  discharge  of  serum  or  glairy 
lymph  are  indicative  of  inflamed  aseptic  but  weeping  tissue,  and 
requires  the  same  treatment.    (See  p.  553.) 

In  a  relatively  few  cases  teeth  cannot  be  closed  at  all  without  a 
recurrence  of  trouble  within  a  short  period,  which  trouble  is  usually 
relieved  by  opening  the  tooth.  The  repetition  of  this  is  annoying, 
and  in  some  cases  is  due  to  the  strength  of  medicaments  such  as 
formaldehyd,  which  should  be  modified  or  abandoned  for  sedative 
antiseptics  such  as  phenol-camphor  or  eugenol  plus  menthol.  In 
some  of  the  cases  the  gases  may  accumulate  more  rapidly  than  dis- 
infection occurs.  In  other  cases  the  irritability  of  the  ti:ssues  seems 
to  produce  intolerance  of  any  remedial  measures.  What  is  known 
as  "systematic  stopping  and  unstopping"  seems  sometimes  to  over- 
come the  irritability  and  accustom  the  tissues  to  being  covered.  The 
system  consists  of  stopping  with  eugenol  and  menthol  or  modified 
formocresol  for  about  eight  hours,  or  from  morning  to  afternoon, 
then  venting  and  redressing  until  the  following  morning,  then  for 
twenty-four  hours,  then  forty-eight,  then  seventy-two,  etc.,  until 
the  tooth  stays  stopped. 

There  have  been  a  few  patients  who  cannot  seem  to  have  teeth 
"treated,"  nearly  all  cases  being  practical  failures  even  when  aseptic. 


CHRONIC  APICAL  ABSCESS  WITH  FISTULA  589 

Some  few  may  be  kept  in  comfort  for  a  while  with  permanent  vents, 
l)ut  this  is  objectionable.  The  making  of  an  artificial  fistula  should 
be  attempted. 

Cyst  formation  occurs  owing  to  the  projection  of  an  aseptic  root 
filling  or  to  some  not  well  understood  cause;  a  cystic  swelling  may 
occur  over  the  root  of  a  tooth  and  have  its  origin  in  the  pericementum. 
The  swelling  is  apt  to  be  bluish  about  its  margin,  and  has  a  clear 
stretched  look  in  the  centre.  It  is  probably  due  to  a  collection  of 
fluid  in  some  portion  of  the  pericementum,  or  may  have  as  its 
excitant  a  portion  of  calculus  deposited  aseptically  in  the  peri- 
cementum. Indeed,  apart  from  infection,  it  may  be  that  cases 
of  pericemental  abscess,  discharging  merely  glairy  fluid,  are  cystic 
swellings.  It  may,  however,  be  in  relation  with  septic  canal 
contents.     (See  p.  609.) 

In  such  a  case,  if  swelling  increase  or  be  persistent,  an  artificial 
fistula  must  be  estabhshed  (see  p.  576)  and  the  case  treated  as  a 
chronic  apical  abscess  with  fistula. 

In  the  third  and  fourth  grades  the  prognosis  for  treatment  by  way 
of  the  canal  is  not,  as  a  rule,  good,  but  if  desired  may  be  attempted. 
If,  however,  an  artificial  fistula  be  established,  the  ease  of  treatment 
is  greatly  increased.  The  case  is  then  treated  as  a  chronic  apical 
abscess  with  fistula. 

In  no  case  should  hydrogen  dioxid  be  forced  in  quantity  into  the 
pus  occupying  such  an  abscess  cavity  until  the  fistula  has  been  made, 
and  it  is  better  even  then  that  the  bulk  of  it  be  washed  out  with  warm 
water  before  applying  the  drug.  A  neglect  of  this  precaution  may 
bring  about  great  pain,  owing  to  the  rapid  reaction  of  the  hydrogen 
dioxid  with  the  pus  and  blood  present.  In  some  cases  hydrogen 
dioxid  has  forced  pus  into  remote  locations  without  destroying  it. 

CHRONIC  APICAL  ABSCESS  WITH  FISTULA 

Morbid  Anatomy  and  Pathology. — This  form  of  chronic  abscess 
occurs  as  the  result  of  the  discharge  of  an  acute  abscess  through  the 
gum  or  other  part  to  the  surface  of  the  body,  and  whether  the  fistula 
has  naturally  occurred  or  been  artificially  established.  (The  interior 
of  the  mouth  or  other  cavity  exposed  to  contact  with  the  air  is 
considered  external  to  the  body  proper.) 

If  the  acute  abscess  has  been  severe  or  long  continued,  the  tissue 
destruction  may  be  great,  but,  as  a  rule,  granulation  promptly  sets 
in  and  the  walls  of  the  abscess  cavity  organize  into  cicatricial  tissue. 
From  the  interior  of  this  a  canal  (fistula  or  sinus)  lined  with  cica- 
tricial tissue  leads  to  the  surface,  the  pus  being  almost  constantly 


590     DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX 

formed  at  the  expense  of  the  granulation  tissue,  which  is  as  constantly 
renewed. 

The  fistulous  opening,  as  a  rule,  appears  as  a  small  teat  of  inflamed 
tissue  located,  in  the  majority  of  cases,  upon  the  buccal  surface  of 
the  gum,  about  a  quarter  of  an  inch  below  the  apex  of  the  root  and 
slightly  distal  to  it — a  position  probably  determined  by  the  density 
of  the  tissues  surrounding  the  acute  abscess.  At  times  the  only 
evidence  of  a  fistula  is  a  small  spot  of  inflammation  surrounding  a 
minute  opening,  from  which  pus  exudes.  The  fistula  is  sometimes 
located  upon  the  lingual  surface  of  the  gum.    It  may  perforate  the 


Fig.  538 


Fig.  539 


Chronic  apical  abscess  on  mesial  root.  Ultimate 
result  of  a  pulp  capping.  Editor's  practice.  (Skia- 
graph by  Hagopian.) 


bone  of  the  hard  palate  and  open 

through  the   mucous   membrane   of 

the   roof  of   the   mouth    (Fig.  536). 

Instead  of  finding  exit  by  a   direct 

path  through  the  buccal  or  lingual 

alveolar    plate    and    gum,    the    pus 

may    burrow    along    the   length   of 

the  pericementum  and  discharge  at 

the  neck  of  the  tooth,  and  simulate 

a  pyorrhea  pocket   (Figs.   521    and 

522).      One-half    or    more    of    the 

lateral  aspect  of  the  pericementum 

may  remain  vital,   although  involved  in  a  chronic  inflammation, 

the  remainder  being  destroyed.    Not  infrequently  the  pus  burrows 

along  the  surface  of  the  bone  and  discharges  at  a  point  over  an 

edentulous  portion  of  the  jaw.    This  is  common  to  a  lower  bicuspid. 

It  may  burrow  in  the  direction  of  the  apices  of  other  teeth,  destroy 

their  pulps  and  thus  cause  an  abscess,  having  added  causes  for 

persistence. 


Chronic  alveolar  abscess  of  the  root  of 
a  lower  incisor,  with  abscess  cavity 
passing  through  the  body  of  the  bone 
and  discharging  on  the  skin  beneath  the 
chin:  o,  very  large  abscess  cavity;  b, 
mouth  of  the  fistula.     (Black.) 


CHRONIC  APICAL  ABSCESS  WITH  FISTULA 


591 


When  the  apices  of  the  roots  of  upper  posterior  teeth  He  in  very 
close  proximity  to  the  floor  of  the  antrum,  perforation  of  this  floor 
may  occur  before  tissue  destruction  has  proceeded  far  enough  in 
other  directions  to  afford  escape  to  the  pus  (Fig.  524).  Extensive 
pus  accumulations  may  occur  in  the  antrum  in  consequence,  and 
when  the  tissues  in  the  antral  floor  are  affected,  other  teeth  may  be 
involved.  It  may  discharge  into  the  nasal  cavity,  in  connection 
with  acute  abscess;  at  such  points  the  discharge  may  remain  per- 
sistent. Sometimes  the  discharge  occurs  through  the  canal  of  the 
affected  tooth;  the  canal  then  acts  as  a  fistula  (Fig.  518).  Upon  a 
lower  tooth,  particularly  the  incisors,  the  pus  may  burrow  downward 
through  the  cancellated  tissue  of  the  bone  and  emerge  at  the  base 
of  the  bone  and  open  upon  the  face  (Figs.  539  and  541). 


Fig.  540 


Fig.  541 


Fistula  passing  down  through  the  body  of  the  lower 
ma.xilla.     (Black.) 


In  other  cases  the  pus  may  per- 
forate the  bone  and  find  passage 
along  the  submuscular  tissue,  open- 
ing upon  the  face  or  neck  (Fig. 
541).  The  apices  of  the  roots  of 
teeth    lying    beneath    the     line    of 


insertion  of  the  mylohyoid  muscle 
may  cause  an  abscess  to  open  in 
the  neck  cavity.  Cryer  records 
a  case  where  an  abscess  opening 
upon  the  face  immediately  anterior 
to  the  line  of  the   facial  artery  was 

traced  to  the  root  of  a  lower  molar;  the  direction  of  the  sinus  is 
shown  in  Fig.  542.  In  a  case  having  a  similar  anatomical  associa- 
tion the  pus  penetrated  the  bone  lingually,  was  encapsuled  beneath 


Chronic  alveolar  abscess  at  the  root  of 
a  lower  incisor,  with  a  fistula  discharging 
on  the  face  under  the  chin:  a,  abscess 
cavity  in  the  bone;  6,  b,  b,  fistula  follow- 
ing in  the  periosteum  down  to  the  lower 
margin  of  the  body  of  the  bone  and  dis- 
charging on  the  skin.     (Black.) 


592     DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX 

the  internal  pterygoid  muscle,  and  appeared  as  a  swelling  at  the  inner 
aspect  of  the  angle  of  the  jaw.  Another  case  dissected  along  the 
muscles  of  the  neck  and  discharged  at  the  clavicle.  Occasionally 
the  apices  of  the  roots  of  lower  molars  are  separated  from  the  inferior 
dental  canal  by  only  a  thin  lamina  of  bone,  so  that  discharge  into 
this  canal  may  occur  with  infiltration  along  the  vessels  and  nerves 
in  the  canal  (Fig.  239).  While  discharge  into  the  nasal  chamber 
is  most  frequently  associated  with  abscess  upon  the  central  incisors, 
abscesses  upon  molars  may  discharge  into  the  same  cavity. 

Cementum  infection  occurs  as  a  sequence  to  death  of  the  cement 
corpuscles  from  lack  of  nutrition.  Pus  calculi  may  also  form  on  the 
roots  in  the  long  continued  cases.  The  granulation  tissue  springing 
up  about  the  parts  has  a  resorbent  action  and  the  root  ends  are 
often  resorbed,  though  this  action  is  probably  to  an  extent  counter- 
acted by  the  alkalinity  of  the  pus.  The  formation  of  the  latter  may, 
however,  be  in  abeyance  at  times  (Fig.  544). 

The  extent  of  tissue  destruction  varies  considerably,  but  is  usually 
greatest  in  dependent  parts,  gravity  influencing  the  burrowing  of 
the  pus. 

Symptoms  and  Diagnosis. — A  fistula  is  seen  upon  the  gum,  visible 
as  either  a  small  teat  of  flesh  (perhaps  pedunculated),  discharging 
pus,  or  as  a  tiny  orifice  in  the  gum  surrounded  by  inflamed  tissue, 
and  from  which  pus  may  be  squeezed  (Fig.  523).  As  a  rule,  a  soft 
silver  probe  may  be  passed  to  the  apex  of  a  nearby  root,  whether 
possessing  a  crown  or  embedded  in  the  bone.  In  case  of  an  external 
opening  upon  the  face  a  similar  procedure  shows  the  trouble  to  lie 
with  some  tooth  root.  The  a:-rays  will  sometimes  be  valuable  in 
determining  the  exact  location  of  the  abscess  cavity. 

Upon  the  teeth  themselves  but  four  conditions  may  cause  a 
fistulous  opening:  (1)  Moist  gangrene  of  the  pulp  or  its  equivalent 
apical  infection;  sometimes  the  sinus  is  at  the  oral  end  of  a  bfoken 
root;  (2)  septic  perforations,  apical  or  lateral;  (3)  a  pericemental 
abscess  (see  Pericemental  Abscess);  (4)  a  secondary  abscess  asso- 
ciated with  a  pyorrhea  pocket.    (See  Pyorrhea  Alveolaris.) 

Aside  from  these,  the  probe  may  lead  to  carious  or  necrosed  bone, 
a  cyst,  an  impacted  tooth,  or  a  subperiosteal  abscess  (maxillary 
periostitis) . 

In  these  cases  the  probe  does  not  lead  to  a  root.  Carious  bone 
will  impart  a  honey-combed  sensation  to  an  excavator;  necrosed 
bone  will  be  exposed  and  firm,  or  the  sequestrum  will  be  in  evidence 
as  a  movable  body.  There  may  also  be  several  fistulas  and  extensive 
inflammation  of  the  tissue.  A  cyst  will  be  a  tumor  with  certain 
characteristics,  and  an  impacted  tooth  will  usually  impart  the  feel 


CHRONIC  APICAL  ABSCESS   WITH  FISTULA 


593 


of  smooth  enamel  to  the  instrument,  though  the  enamel  may  at 
times  be  rough  at  certain  points.  An  embedded  root  will  be  movable, 
and  will  present  the  dentin  and  its  central  opening,  the  pulp  canal, 
as  diagnostic  features.  Maxillary  periostitis  will,  as  a  rule,  have  a 
history  of  traumatism,  or  the  previous  use  of  a  probably  infected 


Fig.  542 


Fig.  .>13 


Abscess  with  tortuous  sinus,  opening 
upon  the  face:  A,  tissue  of  cheek;  B,  floor 
of  mouth;  C,  abscess  tract. 

Fig.  .544 


Large  abscess  cavity  in  relation  with  a  lateral 
incisor,  complicated  by  an  impacted  supernumer- 
ar>'  tooth  beneath  the  nasal  spine.  (Philadelphia 
Dental  College  Museum.) 


hypodermic  needle^  associated  with 
it.  In  all  cases  not  clearly  due  to 
other  than  dental  causes,  evidence 
of  the  four  dental  conditions  men- 
tioned should  be  sought. 

Treatment.  —  In     cases      arising 
from   sources   not   dental,   surgical 
interference  for  the  removal  of  the  cause  is  necessary.     This  may 
require  a  minor  or  major  operation,  according  to  the  case. 

In  the  purely  dental  cases  the  cause  must  also  be  removed.  If 
due  to  pericemental  abscess,  this  is  to  be  treated.  If  due  to  a  septic 
perforation  not  yielding  to  treatment  by  way  of  the  root  canal, 
the  fistula  may  be  enlarged,  packed  open  with  antiseptic  cotton  or 
gauze   applied   on   successive   days,   and   when   the   perforation   is 


Abscess  and  resorption  at  apex.    (Skia- 
graph by  Lodge.) 


Boenning:  Dental  Cosmos,  1902. 


38 


594     DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX 

exposed  it  may  be  filled  with  amalgam.  If  properly  done  the  fistula 
should  heal.  If  this  operation  be  impossible,  the  root  should  be 
amputated  at  a  point  between  the  perforation  and  the  crown.  If 
the  perforation  be  in  the  middle  or  cervical  third  of  the  root,  it  may 
at  times  be  treated  from  the  root  canal.  A  good  method  is  to 
force  root-filling  material  through  the  perforation  and  fistula  and 
to  smooth  it  off  through  the  sinus.  Stiff  oxychlorid  of  zinc  or 
oxyphosphate  of  copper  are  excellent.  If  incurable,  the  entire  root 
must  be  amputated  in  case  of  a  multirooted  tooth.  In  case  of  a 
single-rooted  tooth  the  tooth  must  be  extracted,  and  if  the  con- 
ditions warrant  the  operation  the  root  may  be  perfectly  sterilized, 
properly  filled,  and  then  replanted  after  the  associated  abscess 
cavity  has  been  surgically  obliterated.     (See  p.  599.) 

In  the  cases  due  to  moist  gangrene  of  the  pulp  the  canals  must  be 
freely  entered,  the  apical  foramen  opened  with  Donaldson  or  other 
cleansers,  and  the  canals  and  abscess  tract  thoroughly  sterilized. 

The  canals  are  flooded  with  a  formaldehyd  solution,  mechanically 
enlarged,  and  if  possible  made  continuous  with  the  abscess  cavity. 
It  is  then  filled  with  hydrogen  dioxid.  With  a  Swiss  broach  upon 
which  cotton  is  wound  a  plunging  force  is  exerted  upon  the  fluid  in 
the  canal.  Antiseptic  liquid  soap  may  be  used.  This  tends  to  drive 
it  into  the  abscess  cavity  and  out  of  the  fistula,  flushing  and  steril- 
izing the  abscess  tract.  This  is  then  repeated.  If  this  simple  pro- 
cedure be  not  effective,  a  thread  of  cotton  saturated  with  hydrogen 
dioxid  should  be  placed  in  the  canal.  Pressure  is  then  exerted  with 
vulcanizable  rubber,  as  in  pressure  anesthesia.  A  third  method 
consists  of  filling  the  crown  cavity  with  gutta-percha  or  vulcanite 
rubber,  forcing  the  nozzle  of  an  abscess  syringe  through  the  mass, 
and  driving  down  the  piston  of  the  syringe.  In  all  these  procedures 
except  the  initial  sterilization,  the  unaffected  roots  of  multirooted 
teeth  are  to  be  avoided  so  far  as  possible,  as  undue  pressure  may 
excite  an  abscess.  The  fistula  will  admit  the  nozzle  of  the  syringe, 
which  may  be  used  to  flush  out  the  abscess  tract  with  hydrogen 
dioxid. 

The  nozzle  of  a  hypodermic  needle  may  be  fitted  to  the  canal  by 
packing  wax,  temporary  stopping,  or  raw  vulcanite  about  it;  a  piece 
of  flexible  tubing  may  be  previously  stretched  over  the  free  end  and 
later  the  other  end  of  the  tubing  stripped  over  the  compressed-air 
syringe.  Medicaments  or  air  may  thus  be  blown  through  the  fistula. 
The  method  should  be  cautiously  used  in  fistulous  cases  only,  except 
for  reasons  well  known  by  the  operator  employing  them,  as  very 
painful  distention  and  even  emphysema  of  the  cheek  may  occur. 
(See  Index.) 


CHROXIC  APICAL  ABSCESS  WITH  FISTULA  595 

Fig.  54o  Fig.  546 

Q 

i!MlHI(lL"Mm]'niil!) 


Miiiiui  syringe. 


J.  X.  Farrar's  alveolar  abscess  syringe. 


Fig.   547 


Bulb  syringe. 


596     DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX 

The  rubber  cup  shown  in  Fig.  548  may  be  used  as  a  vacuum  pump 
to  draw  the  pus  from  the  fistula  or  to  draw  medicaments  through 
the  canals. 

All  preliminary  work  having  been  done  as  well  as  possible,  formo- 
cresol  is  to  be  pumped  into  the  abscess  tract  and  the  canal  tempor- 
arily stopped  with  the  same  antiseptic  on  cotton.  With  this  treat- 
ment the  discharge  of  pus  should  cease  and  be  replaced  by  serum. 
It  is  good  practice  to  resterilize  the  canal  and  fill  it  as  soon  as  this 
result  is  noted,  or,  in  emergency  cases,  the  canal  may  be  filled  at 
the  first  sitting  after  prolonged  germicidal  work.  The  fistula  then 
will  probably  heal  uninterruptedly  in  the  vast  majority  of  cases. 
In  a  week  or  two  the  fistula  should  have  healed  if  attached  to  treat- 
able canals;  for  the  difficult  canals  subjected  to  germicides  only  more 
time  may  be  required,  but  healing  usually  eventually  occurs  owing 
to  the  removal  of  the  cause. 

If  the  abscess  cavity  does  not  heal,  one  of  several  causes  may 
be  assigned:  (1)  The  crypts  in  the  walls  of  the  abscess  cavity  may 
require  further  disinfection;  (2)  the  cotton  in  the  canal  may  have 
absorbed  pus  formed  after  an  interval  of  antiseptic  influence  and 
may  keep  up  the  infection;  (3)  the  root  canal  may  not  be  explorable; 
(4)  the  root  end  may  be  encrusted  with  calculus,  or  the  cementum  be 
infected,  or  dead  bone  may  be  present. 

For  the  first  condition  the  canal  and  abscess  tract  may  be  treated 
with  10  per  cent,  zinc  chlorid,  or  rnercuric  chlorid  may  be  added 
to  hydrogen  dioxid  (1  to  500  or  1  to  1000)  and  the  abscess  cavity 
syringed  out  at  intervals.  For  the  second  condition  a  non-absorbent 
dressing  should  be  used,  such  as  forma-percha,  or  the  root  apex 
may  be  permanently  filled  with  gutta-percha.  In  the  fine,  unex- 
plorable  canals  25  per  cent,  pyrozone  may  be  used  for  twenty-four 
hours,  as  though  bleaching  the  root,  or  Rhein's  cataphoric  method 
(see  p.  515)  may  be  employed.  In  some  cases  abscesses  require 
some  weeks  to  heal,  but  eventually  do  so,  particularly^  if  the  abscess 
be  syringed  out  with  an  antiseptic  every  third  day  via  the  fistula, 
and  tlie  abscess  tract  filled  with  balsam  of  Peru  or  paraffin  and 
aristol.  Beck's  bismuth  paste  may  be  injected  for  skiagraphy  or  to 
stimulate  the  fistula. 

Tissues  about  abscesses  have  an  inherent  tendency  to  repair;  cases 
of  long  standing  frequently  healing  promptly,  sometimes,  though  not 
often,  in  twenty-four  hours. ^ 

In  indolent  chronic  inflammation  the  use  of  a  small  gum  dry  cup 
with  vacuum  bulb  attached  may  be  used  for  five  or  ten  minutes 

'  Darby:   Proceedings  of  Academy  of  Stomatology,  Philadelphia,  1899. 


CHRONIC  APICAL  ABSCESS   WITH  FISTULA 


597 


at  a  time  several  times  a  day,  to  draw  fresh  blood  and  effusions 
into  the  inflamed  part.  The  opsonic  index  of  the  lymph  drawn 
in  is  said  to  be  raised  to  several  times  beyond  that  of  the  body 
lymph,  thus  rapidly  increasing  phagocytosis  in  the  part.  The  rubber 
cup  shown  in  Fig.  548  may  be  left  imperforate  and  furnished  the 
patient  for  this  purpose. 


Fig.  548 


Rubber  cup  to  be  used  as  a  vacuum  cup. 


Amputation  of  root  apex:  OG,  opening  in  the 
gum  made  by  packing  fistula;  /IC,  absces.s  cavity: 
RF.  root  filling. 


For  the  fourth  class  of  cases  the  apical  foramen  should  be 
sealed  and  the  abscess  tract  syringed  once  a  week  with  25  per  cent, 
sulphuric  acid,  the  mouth  and  clothing  being  properly  protected  by 
using  a  pad  of  cottonoid  over  the  fistula  and  needle  to  absorb  the 
excess.  This  dissolves  calculi  and  disinfects  dead  cementum.  It 
also  stimulates  the  soft  parts  to  a  granulative  action.  Phenol- 
sulphonic  acid  may  be  forced  through  the  apical  foramen  and  fistula 
in  some  cases. ^  If  necessary  the  patient  should  receive  appropriate 
systemic  treatment,  especially  if  anemic.  (See  p.  606.)  In  this  way 
some  old  and  somewhat  obstinate  cases  may  be  induced  to  heal. 
In  some  cases  gravity  so  retains  pus  in  abscess  cavities  that  granu- 
lation is  interfered  with.  The  instruction  of  the  patient  in  the 
syringing  out  of  the  tract  with  a  mild  antiseptic  several  times  a  day 
is  of  great  value  in  that  it  removes  pus  which  if  retained  would 
destroy  granulations.  Hydrogen  dioxid  is  often  preferable.  Many 
apparently  desperate  cases  heal  of  their  own  accord  after  some 
months.     Some  success  attends  the  packing  of  a  root  with  a  thick 


1  Acid  phenolsulphonic  consists  of  97  parts,  by  weight,  of  concentrated  sulphuric  acid  and 
93  parts,  by  weight,  of  phenol,  kept  at  100°  C.  for  about  twenty-four  hours  to  produce  a 
reaction,  when  sufficient  distilled  water  is  added  to  make  the  liquid  assay  about  80  per  cent,  of 
phenolsulphonic  acid.     (Buckley,  Lilly.) 


598     DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX 

paste  of  iodoform  in  any  oil  after  opening  the  root  as  far  as  possible. 
Cases  in  which  a  canal  was  not  explorable  for  any  considerable  dis- 
tance have  healed  after  this  treatment.  The  a:-ray  application, 
made  for  ten  or  twenty  seconds,  or  skiagraphy  seems  to  aid  the  heal- 
ing of  the  fistula.  If  the  abscess  be  incurable  by  the  above  method, 
or  radical  measures  being  considered  better,  the  root  end  may  be 
amputated,  after  canal  filling  as  far  as  possible  with  gutta-percha. 
The  fistula  is  enlarged  and  packed  open  with  antiseptic  gauze  or 
cotton  or  sandarac  varnish  dipped  into  powdered  orthoform  applied 
until  the  root  end  is  fairly  in  view.  After  sterilization  of  the  abscess 
cavity  and  local  anesthesia,  a  denta'te  fissure  bur  or  a  Schamburg 
surgical  bur  is  laid  upon  one  side  of  the  root  at  the  level  of  the 
healthy  tissue,  and  carried  laterally  with  a  sawing  motion  until 
the  root  end  is  separated.  It  may  readily  be  picked  out.  If  the 
root  can  be  correctly  located  without  packing  the  fistula  the  part 
may  be  anesthetized  and  a  portion  of  gum  may  be  cut  away  with 
a  tubular  knife,  or  an  incision  may  be  made,  after  which  a  fissure 
or  surgical  bur  may  be  used  to  cut  away  the  root.  Any  necrosed 
bone  may  be  removed  at  the  same  time.  A  skiagraph  to  act  as  a 
guide  is  necessary  when  the  fistula  is  not  packed  open. 


Fig.  550 


Fig.  551 


Fig.  552 


A  skiagraph  of  apical 
abscess  cavity  about  two 
root  apices;  incurable  by 
ordinary  means. 


The  same  after  root 
amputation. 


The  same  thirty  days 
later,  showing  a  certain 
amount  of  new  bone 
formation.     (Price.) 


Necrosed  root  ends  may  occasionally  be  seen  projecting  through 
the  gum  and  alveolar  process  which  have  been  lost  above  them. 
They  should  be  removed  as  above  indicated.  Sometimes  salivary 
calculus  deposits  on  them. 

Antiseptic  gauze  or  cotton  saturated  with  balsam  of  Peru  should 
be  packed  into  the  abscess  cavity  after  operation  to  stimulate  granu- 
lation.    The  quantity  of  gauze  should  be  gradually  lessened  until 


CHRONIC  APICAL  ABSCESS   WITH  FISTULA  599 

the  cavity  is  nearly  healed.  It  should  thereafter  be  kept  sterilized 
by  means  of  hydrogen  dioxid  until  the  cavity  has  healed.  An 
alternative  is  to  inject  into  the  cavity  Beck's  bismuth  paste: 

^ — Bismuth  subnitrate 30  parts 

Vaselin 65  parts 

Paraffin 5  parts 

Wax 5  parts 

Mix  while  boiling. 

which  excludes  septic  moisture,  is  antiseptic,  and  stimulates  granu- 
lation. Stimulation  by  means  of  fused  silver  nitrate  or  sulphuric 
acid  or  scarification  is  at  times  necessary.  Bone  should  gradually 
be  deposited  about  the  roots  (Figs.  550,  551,  and  552).  P'ailure 
indicates  some  condition  of  sepsis;  presumably  the  amputation  has 
not  included  all  septic  root  or  the  canal  filling  is  defective. 

A  still  more  radical  method  of  surgical  treatment  involves  the 
extraction  and  replantation  of  the  root,  if  worth  while.  The  mouth 
is  sterilized  and  the  tooth  extracted,  care  being  taken  not  to  injure 
the  enamel  with  the  forceps.  It  is  then  placed  in  a  1  to  1000  solu- 
tion of  mercuric  chlorid  at  120°  F.,  or  phenol  sodique,  20  per  cent. 
The  apex  of  the  alveolus  is  in  the  meantime  sterilized  with  hydrogen 
dioxid  plus  mercuric  chlorid  and  thoroughly  curetted.  Bleeding  is 
checked  with  the  same  solution  or  phenol  sodique,  20  per  cent., 
and  a  tampon  of  cotton  saturated  with  the  latter  is  packed  into 
the  alveolus.  The  replantation  may  be  deferred  for  a  few  days  if  the 
parts  are  badly  infected.     In  such  case  granulation  is  permitted. 

Returning  to  the  tooth,  the  apex  is  cut  off  slightly  beyond  the 
denuded  area  and  smoothed;  the  pulp  canal  is  well  opened  from 
the  apex,  all  debris  removed  from  it,  and  it  is  then  well  sterilized  with 
sodium  dioxid  or  25  per  cent,  pyrozone,  or  both.  The  canal  is  then 
dried  and  filled  entirely  with  gutta-percha,  or  partly  with  gutta- 
percha and  the  operation  completed  with  gold,  which  is  nicely 
smoothed.  The  tooth  should  be  handled  in  an  aseptic  napkin  or 
one  wet  with  the  antiseptic,  and  when  ready  should  be  returned  to 
the  sterilizing  solution.  All  being  ready,  the  tampon  or  granulations 
are  removed,  the  tooth  washed  in  sterile  water  and  replaced  in  its 
socket,  and  a  previously  prepared  retaining  appliance  cemented  to 
place.  This  should  remain  from  three  to  six  weeks  and  be  replaced 
should  indications  demand  it.  If  the  tooth  be  valueless  for  replanta- 
tion purposes,  the  operation  of  transplantation  may  be  done  either 
immediately  after  extraction  of  the  offending  tooth  or  a  few  days 
later.  The  possibility  of  resorption  of  the  root  after  plantations 
should  have  careful  consideration,  though  it  is  not  prohibitory. 

The  operation   of  transplantation  may  be  done   with   a   tooth 


600      DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX 

recently  extracted  from  another  mouth  or  with  a  dried  tooth,  or, 
preferably,  one  kept  in  alcohol  and  glycerin,  which  many  extracting 
specialists  habitually  retain  to  oblige  applicants.  If  a  suitable  tooth 
be  not  obtainable,  a  root  may  have  a  crown  mounted  upon  it  in  such 
manner  as  to  have  an  open  joint  at  a  point  to  be  placed  beneath 
the  gum  line,  and  this  joint  should  be  filled  with  cohesive  gold  and 
polished.  The  tooth  root  is,  of  course,  sterilized  previous  to  and 
after  the  crown  mounting,  and  its  canal  should  have  been  thor- 
oughly filled  with  gutta-percha.  Any  of  these  may  become  firm  if 
thoroughly  splinted  for  a  proper  length  of  time.  The  alveolus 
should  be  made  to  fit  the  root  snugly  by  means  of  a  bone  reamer. 
The  operation  of  implantation  differs  from  this  only  in  the  fact  that 
it  is  done  where  a  tooth  alveolus  has  been  obliterated  by  absorption 
and  bone  formation,  as  after  extraction.  If  the  tooth  be  not  lost 
by  resorption,  it  is  probable  that  some  resorption  occurs — toleration 
then  ensues  and  bony  deposition  in  the  bays  of  resorption  and  about 
the  root  occurs.    Possibly  a  true  ankylosis  (which  see)  may  occur. 

To  select  a  proper  tooth  make  a  model  and  bite  from  an  impression 
,  taken  before  extraction  or  immediately  thereafter,  cut  off  the  offend- 
ing tooth  from  the  model,  ream  out  a  socket  in  the  plaster;  select 
tooth,  and  fit  in  place;  attach  with  a  little  soft  plaster,  the  model 
being  thoroughly  wet.  Construct  the  retaining  appliance,  remove 
the  tooth,  sterilize,  and  fill  the  root.  Then  put  the  tooth  in  the 
sterilizing  agent  until  needed.  Mendel- Joseph  and  Dassonville^ 
have  shown  that  in  case  of  removal  of  a  portion  of  the  pericementum 
the  lost  portion  may  be  regenerated. 

Several  cases  of  fistulous  openings  into  the  antrum  have  been 
noted  by  canal  exploration  in  which  no  history  of  discomfort  from 
antral  empyema  could  be  obtained.  It  was  assumed  that  the  root 
ends  approximated  the  floor  of  the  antrum,  and  that  the  abscesses 
were  of  simple  chronic  type.  Such  cases  were  treated  upon  the 
common  principle  of  canal  antisepsis,  flushing  the  abscess  tract 
with  hydrogen  dioxid,  and  filling  the  canals,  though  -simple  non- 
efferveseing  solutions  are  better.  The  antral  condition  was  explained 
to  the  patients,  who  were  warned  of  possibilities,  but  such  as  yet 
have  not  been  reported. 

A  chronic  abscess  may  discharge  into  the  maxillary  sinus  for  a 
long  period  before  being  discovered,  unless  the  pus  accumulation  be 
extensive,  when  it  escapes  from  the  antrum  into  the  cavity  of  the 
nose,  discharging  by  one  side.  Smaller  accumulations  of  pus  find 
exit  in  the  recumbent  position,  and  attention  is  called  to  one  antrum 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  190G.  p.  1059. 


CHRONIC  APICAL   ABSCESS   WITH   FISTULA 


()()1 


Fig.  553 


as  the  seat  of  affection  by  notinji;  that  in  tlie  niorniiifj  ])us  appears 
at  but  one  nostril.  The  discharges  from  purulent  nasal  catarrh 
appear  upon  botlr  sides. 

A  more  common  history  of  antral  empyema  is  the  patient's  com- 
plaint of  (lull,  heavy  pains  and  uneasiness  over  one  side  of  the  face, 
and  an  offensive  odor,  which  may  not  be  evident  to  the  operator. 
High  transillumination  of  the  tissues  about  the  mouth  and  through 
the  cheek,  by  means  of  the  electric  mouth  lamp  of  20  volts'  capacity, 
the  patient  being  in  a  dark  room,  may  reveal  an  opacity  on  one  or 
perhaps  both  sides,  indicating  the  presence  of  fluid  in  the  antrum. 
A  clear  pinkish  transillumination  is  a  sign  of  health.  Tumors  in  the 
antrum  entirely  obstruct  the  light.  Examination  of  the  posterior 
teeth  will  show  one  of  them  to  be  pulpless,  if  the  cause  lie  in  apical 
abscess.  If  such  a  tooth  be  extracted  a  profuse  flow  of  pus  may 
follow,  and  a  probe  may  be  passed  through  an  alveolus  directly  into 
the  antrum. 

Although  extraction  is  the  usual  surgical  relief,  dental  conserva- 
tism rebels  against  the  immediate  condemnation  of  the  offending 
tooth.  Efforts  at  curing  the  antral 
condition  through  the  pulp  canal  are 
well-nigh  hopeless — the  antrum  is 
entered  at  some  other  point.  The 
tooth  is  treated  as  any  infecting 
root;  is  sterilized  and  filled.  The 
most  certain  spot  of  entry  to  the 
antrum  is  about  one-quarter  inch 
above  the  buccal  roots  of  the  upper 
first  molar  or  between  the  roots  of 
the  first  and  second  molar.  The  part, 
or  the  patient,  is  anesthetized,  and 
the  soft  tissues  incised  or  a  section 
removed  by  means  of  a  tubular  knife ; 
a  drill  or  trephine  at  least  one-eighth 

inch  in  diameter,  driven  rapidly,  is  passed  upward,  backward,  and 
inward,  piercing  the  thin  shell  of  the  antrum  at  this  point.  The 
opening  is  made  of  convenient  size  to  admit  of  thorough  exploration. 
The  nozzle  of  an  atomizer  or  syringe,  filled  with  a  mild  antiseptic 
solution,  is  passed  into  the  antrum  and  the  cavity  is  freely  sprayed. 
A  probe  or  the  finger  is  passed  into  the  cavity  and  an  exploration 
made  to  detect  the  presence  of  any  dead  bone  or  bony  septi,  which, 
if  found,  must  be  removed,  the  cavity  of  entrance  being  enlarged  to 
permit  their  removal.  The  antrum  is  then  packed  with  gauze 
impregnated  with  iodoform,  etc.     After  a  few  days  the  cavity  is 


Empyema  of  antrum  due  to  abscess 
upon  root  of  bicuspid  tooth.  (Radio- 
graph by  Price.) 


602     DISEASE  OF  PERICEMEXTUM  BEGIXXING  AT  APEX 

sprayed  about  every  other  day  with  very  dilute,  warm  Dobell's 
solution,  Lugol's  solution,  or  other  mild  sterile  solution.  (For 
further  information  see  works  on  Oral  Surgery.)  The  opening 
either  heals  of  itself  or  may  be  made  to  do  so  by  the  use  of  caustics 
or  stitching  the  parts. 

Unless  necrosis  of  bone  occur,  cases  of  fistula  opening  upon  the 
face  or  neck  may  be  healed  by  the  ordinary  methods  of  canal  treat- 
ment, carried  out  T\"ith  extraordinary'  care  to  accomplish  the  irriga- 
tion of  the  fistula,  or  at  least  sterilize  the  apical  tissue.  The  scar 
formation  is  less  than  when  extraction  is  practised  for  the  removal 
of  the  cause.  If  the  fistula  be  indolent,  the  granulations  may  be 
stimulated  by  means  of  an  injection  of  10  per  cent,  silver  nitrate 
solution.  If  the  fistula  obstinately  refuse  to  heal,  the  tooth  should 
be  extracted  and  necrosed  bone,  if  any  be  present,  surgically  removed, 
though  amputation  of  the  root  apex  may^be  tried. 


Fig.  554 


Fig.  555 


V^i^iri) 


Scar  caused  by  alveolar  abscess  dis- 
charging on  the  face.    (Black.) 


Operation   for   the   remedy  of   scar   on   the   face 
cau.sed  by  alveolar  abscess.    (Black.) 


Flagg^  suggested,  as  a  means  of  lessening  scar  formation,  that  a 
seton  be  passed  through  the  external  fistula  into  the  mouth,  and  that 
it  be  gradually  drawn  into  the  mouth  as  the  external  fistula  heals, 
after  which  the  tooth  is  to  be  extracted  if  otherwise  incurable. 

In  fistulse  discharging  upon  the  face  the  formation  of  scar  tissue 
may  bind  the  tissue  of  the  cheek  tight  to  the  bone.  When  this 
occurs  beneath  the  tip  of  the  chin,  the  scar,  after  healing,  usuall}^ 
resembles  a  dimple,  and  calls  for  no  interference.     The  scar  and 


1  Lectures  on  Dental  Therapsutics. 


CHRONIC  APICAL  ABSCESS  WITH  FISTULA  ()03 

binding  down  along  the  border  of  the  inferior  maxilla,  or  beneath 
the  malar  bone  in  the  upper  maxilla,  may  produce  deformity  calling 
for  remedy  (Figs.  554  and  555).  Black's  operation  is  to  be  performed 
to  lessen  the  deformity,  for  its  complete  correction  is  not  practicable. 
A  finger  placed  in  the  mouth  draws  the  cheek  away  from  the  alveolar 
wall,  when  the  exact  position  of  the  cord  of  attachment  is  dis- 
covered. A  tenotome  knife  is  passed  into  the  tissues,  dividing  the 
band  of  attachment;  a  long  pin  is  passed  through  the  most  depressed 
portion  of  the  scar,  its  centre,  the  long  ends  of  the  pin  resting  upon 
the  face;  strips  of  adhesive  plaster  laid  upon  the  skin  under  the  head 
and  point  of  the  pin  will  prevent  the  latter  sinking  into  the  soft 
tissues.  The  pin  is  retained  for  several  days,  until  the  cut  in  the 
mouth  heals.  The  principle  involved  is  the  supplying  of  a  new 
section  of  scar  tissue  which,  while  it  shrinks,  makes  the  total  length 
of  the  cord  greater,  hence  less  binding. 

Systemic  Complications. — The  cachectic,  debilitated,  anemic,  tuber- 
culous, and  syphilitic  are  liable  to  extensive  pus  formation,  which 
enlarges  the  cavity  unduly  and  may  involve  the  roots  of  other 
teeth  or  even  cause  devitalization  of  their  pulps,  which  aids  in  the 
continuance  of  the  abscess  by  adding  a  fresh  cause. 

In  such  cases  all  the  dead  pulps  should  be  removed  after  careful 
diagnosis,  and  the  patient  should  be  instructed  in  the  use  of  a 
Sub.  Q.  syringe  and  a  mild  antiseptic,  the  object  being  to  keep 
the  dependent  parts  free  of  pus  and  allow  granulations  to  form  rather 
than  be  constantly  broken  down. 

In  addition,  such  systemic  medication  or  remedial  measures  as 
will  raise  the  recuperative  and  resistant  powers  of  the  tissues  should 
be  employed. 

If  very  persistent,  a  vaccine  may  be  employed,  after  the  method 
of  Wright,  to  raise  the  opsonic  index.  (See  p.  57.)  The  direct  results 
of  infection,  toxemic  and  septicemic,  have  already  been  considered. 

Chronic  Blind  Apical  Abscess. — A  true  blind  abscess  is  one  with- 
out a  point  of  discharge.  It  is  a  result  of  septic  contamination 
from  root  canals,  a  condition  in  which  bacteria  in  unfilled  root 
apices  or  in  the  interspaces  between  a  root  filling  and  the  canal 
wall  find  their  way  into  the  fluid  entering  such  a  space  and  produce 
putrefaction — a  condition  practically  analogous  to  moist  gangrene 
of  the  pulp. 

An  apical  abscess  is  formed  and  the  apical  tissue  acts  as  a  fibro- 
vascular  envelope  or  sac.  Under  the  pus  pressure  which  is  apt  to  be 
very  slight,  absorption  of  toxins  and  pus  germs  by  way  of  the 
lymphatics  occurs.  The  lymphatic  glands  may  be  involved;  a  low 
toxemia  occurs. 


604     DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX 

The  dental  symptoms  may  not  be  noticeable  though  the  tooth 
may  be  slightly  tender  and  there  may  be  tenderness  upon  pressure 
over  the  apical  region.  The  general  conditions  vary.  There  may  be 
pain  about  the  eyes  in  the  back  of  the  head  or  neck.  The  post- 
cervical  glands  may  be  enlarged.  The  joints  may  be  affected  as  in 
arthritis.  Eruptions  may  appear  on  the  body.  The  patient  suffers 
from  lowered  vitality  due  to  the  toxemia,  and  he  may  have  slight 
fever  or  temperature  below  normal ;  may  lose  weight,  or  offer  other 
acute  symptoms  of  malnutrition.  The  condition  may  produce  more 
pain  or  so  debilitate  as  to  cause  nervous  breakdown.  In  one  case 
of  nervous  breakdown  of  a  prominent  man  who  had  many  gold 
crowns,  the  condition  was  due  to  chronic  abscesses  at  the  apices  of 
several  teeth. 

It  is  to  be  remembered  that  antral  empyema  may  occur  from  the 
influenza  bacillus  in  the  blood.  It  has  been  noted  in  connection  with 
la  grippe  and  may  be  secondary  to  empyema  of  the  other  sinuses. 
The  .T-rays  are  valuable  diagnostic  means  (Fig.  553).  Also  it  must 
be  remembered  that  if  apices  of  teeth  lie  in  or  near  the  antrum  the 
death  of  their  pulps  may  be  caused  by  the  necrotic  process. 

The  shadow  of  the  affected  side  is  due  to  pus  or  even  to  thickened 
walls  and  increased  vascularity.  Skiagraphy  either  through  the 
alveolar  process  or  anteroposteriorly  through  the  head  exposes  the 
various  possible  causes,  the  condition  of  the  teeth,  or,  in  the  antero- 
posterior, a  possible  ethmoiditis  or  frontal  sinusitis  may  be  diag- 
nosticated as  the  primary  cause,  or  as  a  condition  secondary  to  a 
primary  antral  suppuration. 

In  cases  in  which  the  teeth  are  suspected,  radiographs  should  be 
made  of  teeth  exhibiting  any  evidences  of  tenderness  in  the  apical 
region,  and  if  not  due  to  conditions  readily  ameliorated  by  ordinary 
canal  treatment  or  root  amputation,  extraction  is  warrantable  as  a 
means  of  cure  of  the  general  condition.  In  addition,  if  the  germ 
infecting  can  be  isolated  vaccine  therapy  may  be  employed. 


BONE  INFECTION  ASSOCIATED  WITH  DENTAL  LESIONS 

During  the  course  of  acute  and  chronic  abscess  the  bone-marrow 
becomes  inflamed  by  the  pyogenic  organisms  and  is  broken  down 
into  pus.  The  condition  may  continue  after  extraction  for  apical 
abscess  in  the  second  stage.  It  may  also  occur  from  the  bruising  of 
the  periosteal  lining  of  the  alveolus  as  the  result  of  extraction  of  a 
hypercementosed  root,  or  from  a  bruise  induced  by  forcible  use  of 
forceps  in  the  removal  of  deeply  seated  roots. 


BONE  INFECTION  ASSOCIATED  WITH  DENTAL  LESIONS     60o 

The  walls  of  the  alveolus  become  infected  by  pyogenic  organisms, 
among  which  the  Diplococcus  pneumonine  figures  prominently. 

The  leaving  of  cotton  tampons,  placed  as  vehicles  for  pain-relieving 
agents,  for  an  undue  length  of  time  also  invites  infection. 

If  during  extraction  the  alveolar  margins  be  lacerated,  and  espe- 
cially if  the  bone  be  uncovered  by  clot,  or  the  clot  fail  by  solution, 
it  also  becomes  infected  and  ulcerated,  as  shown  by  its  suppurating 
and  highly  irritable  surface;  later  the  surface  becomes  insensitive, 
indicating  superficial  necrosis,  which  may  become  progressively 
deeper.  Ragged  gum  margins  may  become  gangrenous,  although 
sometimes  not. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  are  those  of  local  inflammation  witli- 
out  necessarily  much  swelling  of  contiguous  tissues,  such  as  occurs 
in  acute  abscess.  Some  circumscribed  swelling  may  occur,  indicating 
an  abscess  in  association  with  it,  or  a  diffuse  swelling,  indicating 
inflammation  of  contiguous  tissue.  The  orifice  may  appear  as 
though  normal,  but  close  examination  demonstrates  a  sinus  leading 
to  ulcerated  or  necrosed  bone.  If  due  to  an  acute  abscess  in  the 
second  stage,  the  symptoms  of  that  condition  may  continue.  As  a 
rule,  the  patient  presents  within  a  week  of  the  date  of  extraction, 
complaining  of  pain. 

In  the  majority  of  cases  the  pain  is  of  a  deep,  boring,  continuous 
character.  Reflex  pains  are  also  produced  about  the  face.  ]Much 
debility  is  caused  by  the  wearing  character  of  the  pain,  the  loss 
of  sleep  and  appetite,  and  probably  also  because  of  absorption  of 
toxins.  The  gum  margins  are  perhaps  sloughing;  the  bone  may  be 
exposed  and  exquisitely  painful  to  touch,  or  it  may  be  necrotic  and 
insensitive  superficially.    The  case  is  one  termed  "  dry  socket." 

Cases  of  general  septicemic  or  pyemic  infection  from  this  source 
have  been  recorded. 

Treatment. — The  mouth  and,  in  so  far  as  possible,  the  inflamed 
part  must  be  sterilized.  Probably  mercuric  chlorid  in  hydrogen 
dioxid  (1  to  1000)  will  answer  best.  If  the  solution  be  used  hot, 
whether  it  be  mercurialized  or  not,  the  pain  is  much  relieved. 

iA.n  injection  of  a  1  or  2  per  cent,  solution  of  cocain  into  the  healthy 
tissue  overlying  the  alveolus  will  assist  in  alleviating  the  acute  pain 
and  partly  anesthetize  the  parts.  All  sloughing  gum  should  be  cut 
away.  Exposed  bone  should  be  anesthetized  by  strong  cocain  solu- 
tions if  painful  to  touch,  or  the  patient  should  be  anesthetized  if 
necessary.  Whether  acutely  inflamed  or  necrotic,  the  bone  should 
be  cut  away  with  large  sterile  burs  until  healthy  tissue  is  reached. 
After  washing  out  the  debris  and  further  sterilization  a  clot  is  to 
be  induced  by  curetting  if  necessary.     The  mouth  is  to  be  kept 


606     DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX 

sterilized,  and  the  patient  is  to  be  seen  daily  for  a  repetition  of  the 
curetting  if  the  clot  fail,  or  the  alveolus  may  be  gently  packed  with 
cotton  saturated  with  balsam  of  Peru  alone  or  with  castor  oil,  equal 
parts,  as  a  stimulant.  In  ordinary  cases  one  or  two  local  treatments 
will  be  effective,  but  the  tonic,  antiseptic,  systemic  medication 
recommended  under  the  heading  of  acute  apical  abscess  is  advised. 

If  the  infection  be  of  aggravated  character,  precautions  in  the  form 
of  suitable  systemic  medication  should  be  taken  against  a  possible 
septicemia.     (See  p.  580.) 

If  the  patient  be  not  willing,  or  unable,  to  bear  this  operation  at 
the  first  visit  because  of  the  demoralization  produced  by  the  pain, 
an  alternative  proceeding  may  be  adopted.  A  pellet  of  cotton  wet 
with  campho-phenique  should  be  rolled  in  powdered  orthoform  and 
introduced  into  the  socket  after  sterilization  with  the  mercuric 
chlorid  solution,  or  a  stiff  mass  made  from  orthoform,  zinc  oxid,  and 
vaselin  may  be  packed  into  the  alveolus  as  an  antiseptic  and  anes- 
thethic.  (Jack.^)  Trichloracetic  acid  in  saturated  solution  may  be 
used  to  cauterize  the  ulcerated  surface  before  packing.  The  repeti- 
tion of  this  after  five  to  eight  hours  will  afford  marked  rehef .  Later 
the  radical  operation  may  be  performed  if  granulation  does  not  set 
in.  The  introduction  of  cotton  or  gauze  dressings  into  the  alveoli 
for  relief  of  pain  immediately  following  extraction  is  to  be  done  only 
with  extreme  care  and  for  short  periods,  as  such  dressings  are  apt 
to  be  left  in  place  by  patients,  and,  becoming  septic,  act  as  causes 
of  sepsis  of  the  alveolar  process.  It  is  better  to  induce  a  clot  if  the 
removal  of  the  cotton  is  not  followed  by  hemorrhage.  While  alveoli 
will  fill  with  granulations  in  the  absence  of  a  clot  filling  them,  such 
a  clot  seems  to  be  the  best  protection  against  sepsis.  In  some  of 
these  cases  portions  of  bone  may  exfoliate.  In  one  obstinate  case 
the  capsule  of  bone  surrounding  the  apex  of  the  alveolus  came  away, 

EXTENSIVE  NECROSIS  ASSOCIATED  WITH  CHRONIC 
ALVEOLODENTAL  ABSCESS 

Every  chronic  alveolodental  abscess  carries  with  it  the  danger  of 
bone  complication.  It  has  been  shown  that  in  bone  infection  the 
organisms  are  highly  virulent.  Fortunately  in  most  cases  the  involve- 
ment is  slight  and  the  parts  care  for  themselves  when  the  cause  is 
removed.  In  more  aggravated  cases,  either  caries  or  necrosis  of  the 
bone  may  follow.  Pus  is  formed  at  the  expense  of  the  parts,  and 
sometimes   infiltrates   the   surrounding   soft   and   the   hard  parts, 

1  International  Dental  Journal,  1905. 


SEPTIC  PERFORATIONS  (i()7 

causing  the  loosening  of  teeth.  This  may  occur  even  though  the 
causal  tooth  be  extracted.  In  caries  the  pus  escapes  by  se\eral 
fistulse,  and  examination  leads  to  porous  dead  bone.  In  necrosis 
there  is  circumvallation  of  a  portion  or  portions  of  bone,  and  finally 
one  or  more  sequestra  are  loosened,  and  later,  in  part,  liquefied. 
The  remainder  gradually  works  out  of  the  fistula  as  one  large  or 
numerous  small  pieces.  The  patient  may  be  much  debilitated.  In 
syphilitic  or  strumous  cases  an  otherwise  simple  case  may  positively 
refuse  to  heal  until  the  physical  condition  is  improved  by  antisyphil- 
itic  or  tonic  treatment.  Surprising  recoveries  of  extensively  necrotic 
parts  occur  if  the  patient  be  brought  into  good  physical  condition, 
and  the  parts  are  antiseptically  treated,  the  thorough  loosening  of 
the  sequestra  being  awaited.  By  this  means  teeth  have  been  retained 
in  place  and  covered  with  new  tissue,  which  operation  would  have 
exposed  or  removed.  The  determination  of  the  point  at  which  oper- 
ative interference  is  desirable  must  depend  upon  the  particular  case 
and  the  amount  of  deformity  likely  to  result  from  the  operation. 
In  some  marked  cases  with  toxemia,  drainage  must  be  obtained 
surgically,  even  if  extreme  operation  be  necessary. 

Honl  and  Bukovsky  are  credited  with  the  successful  treatment 
of  bad  chronic  suppurations  by  means  of  local  applications  of 
pyocyaneoprotein. 

Jesensky^  so  treated  a  case  of  six  months'  standing,  incurable  by 
ordinary  antiseptic  and  systemic  treatment,  and  obtained  remarkable 
results. 

Syphilitic  intoxication  or  that  of  scarlet  fever  may  cause  a 
necrosis  of  alveolar  bone,  as  may  mercury.  (See  p.  222.)  The  extent 
to  which  the  teeth  or  oral  infection  act  as  active  exciting  causes 
depends  upon  the  condition  present. 


SEPTIC  APICAL  PERICEMENTITIS  COMPLICATED  BY 
PERFORATION 

In  the  treatment  of  root  canals  the  required  mechanical  work 
sometimes  results  in  (1)  the  passage  of  the  drill  through  the  apical 
foramen,  enlarging  it;  (2)  through  the  side  of  the  root,  causing  a 
perforation. 

In  the  first  variety  the  complication  chiefly  concerns  the  root 
filling,  which  is  to  be  conducted  after  sterilization  upon  the  same 
plan  as  for  filling  an  incomplete  foramen.     (See  p.  530.) 

»  Dental  Cosmos,  1901. 


G08      DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX 

If  a  lateral  perforation  be  made  near  the  root  apex,  it  may  be 
filled  after  sterilization  with  a  cone  similarly  applied,  but  made 
bevelled  at  the  end,  or  a  bit  of  aseptic  sponge  may  be  introduced 
against  the  tissue  for  a  base  and  be  covered  by  oxychlorid  of  zinc. 
The  packing  of  a  fairly  stiff  mass  of  zinc  oxychlorid  into  the  root 
and  through  the  perforation  into  the  fistula  has  caused  the  healing 
of  several  obstinate  cases  continually  weeping  pus  or  serum.  The 
moisture,  if  slight,  rather  aids  the  adaptation  of  the  cement.  The 
same  treatment  used  with  greater  care  is  useful  in  chronic  abscesses 
without  fistula.  It  is  well  to  only  fill  the  apical  portions  of  canals  in 
either  case,  so  that  any  removal  for  another  trial  may  not  be  too 
difficult;  the  later  filling  of  the  coronal  portion  of  the  canal  is  very 
simple.  The  use  of  a  stiff  paste  of  zinc  oxid  and  eugenol  or  even 
oxyphosphate  of  copper  in  the  same  manner  is  useful.     If  possible-, 

Fig.  556  Fig.  557 


Skiagraph  of     crowned     curved    root,     with  Showing  the  relations  of  an  abscess  upon 

perforation  and    protruding    root    filling    near  a    temporary    tooth,    with    the    crown    of    a 

apical  foramen.     With  septic  conditions,  would  developing  permanent  tooth  underlying  it. 
require  root  amputation.     (Price.') 

it  is  well  to  irrigate  the  fistula  with  water  to  remove  any  excess, 
though  if  left  it  usually  works  out  of  the  fistula,  which  later  heals 
or  not,  as  the  case  may  be.  If  septic  conditions  persist,  the  root 
end  must  be  amputated,  or  the  tooth  extracted,  prepared,  and 
replanted.  If  made  in  the  middle  third  of  the  root,  the  canal  must 
be  sought  for  and  treated  as  usual  beyond  the  perforation,  which  is 
then  separately  treated  with  a  gutta-percha  cone,  or  a  plaque  of 
gutta-percha  may  be  laid  over  the  perforation  and  antiseptic  cements 
or  copper  amalgam  used  to  secure  it  in  position.  Extraction  and 
replantation  may  be  resorted  to,  but  amputation  does  not  serve 
so  well,  as  the  root  leverage  is  lost  and  the  tooth  may  loosen.  In  a 
favorable  case,  after  canal  exploration,  a  tapering  probe  may  be 
passed  into  the  canal  and  copper  amalgam  gently  tamped  about  it 
and  against  the  perforation;  the  probe  is  then  withdrawn,  leaving 

1  Items  of  Interest,  1901. 


APICAL  PERICEMENTITIS  IN   TEMPORARY  TEETH        609 

a  central  canal,  which  is  later  treated.  Girdwood  has  reported  good 
results  from  the  use  of  copper  amalgam  which,  in  this  connection, 
the  writer  can  confirm.  In  a  few  cases  the  fistula  has  been  packed 
open  and  the  perforation  filled  with  amalgam  through  the  sinus. 
The  cases  are  mostly  successful,  but  in  one  case  healing  did  not 
occur  until  treatment  after  filling  was  suspended  for  several  months. 

Chronic  Septic  Pericementitis  in  the  Temporary  Teeth. — Anj^  of  the 
chronic  septic  conditions  described  may  occur  upon  the  temporary 
teeth.  The  presence  of  resorption  and  of  the  permanent  crown 
usually  confines  the  inflammation  to  a  point  lower  in  the  alveolar 
process  than  in  the  case  of  permanent  teeth.  The  loose  character 
of  the  structure  causes  the  ulceration  to  occupy  a  larger  area,  and 
the  parts  in  chronic  inflammation  look  more  angry,  but  are  fairly 
well  tolerated.  The  treatment  is  practically  the  same  for  the  curable 
cases;  the  others  should  be  extracted.  The  root  canals  when  treated 
should  be  filled  with  absorbable  materials  such  as  paraffin  or  wax 
combined  with  aristol.  Buckley  recommends,  as  a  canal  filling  in 
these  cases,  the  use  of  a  stiff  mixture  of  calcium  phosphate  and 
formocresol  (formaHn,  1  part;  cresol,  1  or  2  parts),  to  be  packed  into 
the  pulp  chamber  and  zinc  phosphate  quickly  flowed  over  it;  the 
cavity  to  be  filled  later. 

Johnson^  suggests  that  a  eucalyptol  solution  of  gutta-percha  (see 
p.  526)  be  pumped  into  the  canals  and  pressure  exerted  with  tempo- 
rary stopping  until  the  solution  appears  at  the  fistula.  The  temporary 
stopping  that  does  not  interfere  with  filling  integrity  should  be  left. 

Chronic  Septic  Apical  Pericementitis  (Non-purulent). — Continued 
inflammation  of  a  low  grade  (interstitial  gingivitis),  or  what  may 
in  reality  be  continued  atonic  hyperemia,  may  exist  in  the  apical 
pericementum  for  long  periods  with  or  without  pus  formation. 
The  actual  state  can  only  be  determined  by  radiography.  (See 
p.  565.) 

Cause  and  Pathology. — The  cause  consists  of  unremoved  gan- 
grenous pulp  tissue,  septic  serous  collections  in  canal  apices  or 
about  imperfect  root  fillings,  or  septic  material  in  the  root  tubuli, 
all  much  the  same  in  character.  A  very  common  cause  is  an  other- 
wise good  root  filling  which  has  failed  to  fill  the  apical  portion  of  a 
curved  fine  or  even  well-opened  root.  While  in  skilful  hands  gutta- 
percha points  and  oxychlorid  of  zinc  usually  reach  their  apical 
destination,  the  editor  has  met  unfilled  apical  canals  after  good 
operators  as  the  most  common  of  operative  errors. 

An  imperfectly  iilled  perforation  may  cause  a  similar  condition, 
W'hich,  however,  the  .r-rays  should  determine. 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1899. 
39 


GIO      DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX 

Albuminous  fluid  may  enter  the  canal  via  the  apical  foramen,  and, 
becoming  infected,  putrefaction  ensues.  The  source  of  infection 
may  possibly  be  via  the  blood,  but  leaking  crown  and  root  fillings 


Fig.  558 


Fig.  559 


Dentin  from  the  root  of  an  abscessed  tooth, 
showing  the  penetration  of  cocci  to  a  depth  of 
about  Yff  mm.  (550^  in.) ;  the  side  o  to  6  bordered 
upon  the  canal.     X  1000.     (Miller.) 


Sector  of  a  cross-section  from  a  diseased 
root:  a,  cementum;  6,  stratum  granulosum; 

c,  very  narrow  and  finely  branched  tubules; 

d,  penetration   of    bacteria     into    tubules. 
X  150.    (Miller.) 


more  probably  permit  bacteria  to 
enter  from  the  mouth.  The  more 
or  less  constant  result  of  filling 
roots  with  cotton  permeated  with 
evanescent  materials  only  is  evi- 
dence of  this.  The  cotton  absorbs 
fluid  either  from  ^bout  leaky  fill- 
ings, too  often  placed  in  contact 
with  it,  or  else  from  the  apical  tis- 
sues; infection  readily  occurs  and  a 
highly  odorous  cotton  is  removed 
because  of  the  apical  irritation. 
When  the  cotton  is  well  placed 
and  confined  under  tight-sealing 
materials  to  the  apical  half  of 
the  root  canal,  this  result  is  long 
delayed  in  many  cases.    Portions 


APICAL  PERICEMEXTITIS  IN  TEMPORARY  TEETH      Oil 

of  gangrenous  pulps  remaining  in  canals  may  likewise  become  in- 
fected.    Extra  and  untreated  canals  are  frequently  causes. 

Miller^  has  shown  that  root  tubules  are  infected  only  for  a  short 
distance  at  their  canal  ends,  so  that  infection  from  the  pericementum 
via  the  cementum  and  dentinal  tubules  is  highly  improbable  (Fig. 
559).  The  putrefaction  produces  gases,  and  these  exuding  slowly 
produce  the  irritation.  If  pyogenic  organisms  be  present,  apical 
abscess  may  at  any  time  supervene. 

Mayrhofer-  has  shown  that  even  formocresol  fails  to  sterilize  all 
tubuli,  so  that  bacteria,  especially  streptococci,  grow  back  into  the 
canal.  If  the  canal  filling  be  imperfect  it  is  obvious  that  apical 
infection  may  arise. 

Symptoms. — Subacute  inflammation  of  apical  tissue  being  present, 
the  symptoms  of  this  condition  are  tenderness  upon  decided  pressure 
or  upon  percussion;  the  response  may  only  be  elicited  by  pressure 
or  percussion  in  one  direction.  The  tooth  gives  a  dull  note  upon 
percussion,  and  is  usually  looser  than  its  neighbors.  The  red  line  of 
the  gum  extends  farther  toward  the  gum  margin  than  normal — quite 
to  it  in  some  cases.    There  is  apt  to  be  a  response  to  heat. 

The  patient  is  apt  to  avoid  the  tooth  in  mastication.  In  some 
cases  acute  reflex  pains  in  other  teeth  may  precede  an  outbreak  of 
purulent  pericementitis,  a  frequent  sequel  to  this  condition.  There 
are  also  evidences  of  previous  devitalization  of  the  pulp  in  opacity, 
lack  of  response  to  tests  for  vitality,  etc.  At  times  a  history  of 
previous  canal  treatment  may  be  obtained  or  the  evidences  of  an 
attempt  at  canal  filling  may  be  seen  upon  opening  the  tooth. 

Diagnosis. — The  condition  requires  careful  differentiation  from  (1) 
non-septic  apical  pericementitis  due  to  traumatism  or  malocclusion 
or  to  a  perforation  imperfectly  filled;  (2)  pericemental  abscess 
in  the  early  stage;  (3)  abscess  of  the  pulp  in  the  later  stages. 
In  nearly  all  these  cases  the  pulp  may  be  vital.  Being  itself  only 
subsequent  to  death  of  the  pulp,  tests  for  vitality  are  made.  (See  p. 
538.)  If  pulp  death  be  indicated  by  the  tests,  the  pulp  canal  is 
explored,  and,  if  found,  treated,  and  filled;  a  septic  condition  about 
or  beyond  the  same  is  looked  for. 

There  is  great  disadvantage  in  a  large  apical  opening,  particularly 
in  the  dressing  and  root-filling  operation. 

Treatment. — The  condition  being  analogous  to  that  of  moist  gan- 
grene, or  blind  apical  abscess,  the  treatment  is  the  same.  Before  it 
can  be  applied  the  root  canals  should  be  opened,  and  to  accomplish 
this  all  root  filhngs  involved  require  removal.    If  an  extra  canal  be 

'  Dental  Cosmos,  1899.  2  Items  of  Interest,  March.  1910. 


612     DISEASE  OF  PERICEMENTUM  BEGINNING  AT  APEX 

found   after   apparently   conscientious   work   has   been   done,   this 
should  receive  attention  before  removing  root  fillings. 

The  bulk  of  gutta-percha  root  fUHngs  are  best  drilled  out  with 
Downie  broaches  revolved  in  the  engine  hand-piece  or  by  hand, 
eucalyptol  being  used  to  soften  or  dissolve  the  gutta-percha. 

All  cement  fillings  are  removed  by  a  drill  so  far  as  can  be  safely 
done,  dryness  being  a  great  aid  in  locating  the  cement  in  the  canal. 
When  the  danger  of  perforation  arises,  a  stiff  Swiss  broach  or  a  fine 
Downie  broach  may  be  rubbed  down  to  a  drill  edge  and  used  as  a 
tamp  drill.  Sulphuric  acid  in  50  per  cent,  solution  or  aqua  ammonia 
aid  by  dissolving  the  cement. 

The  object  sought  for  is  an  unfilled  canal  lumen,  which,  when 
found,  is  readily  recognized  by  the  ease  of  penetration  with  the 
broach  and  the  absence  of  sensation  until  the  apical  tissue  is  reached. 
The  fact  that  the.  sides  of  the  root  canal  can  be  felt  is  assurance  of 
safety  against  perforation  which  may  occur  in  any  case. 

There  can  be  no  assurance  of  safety  until  the  apical  tissue  can  be 
explored,  but  perforation  must  be  avoided.  The  fine  Downie  broach 
is  useful  in  difficult  cases,  and,  if  necessary,  a  No.  1  Beutelrock  drill 
may  be  used.  When  the  apical  foramen  is  open,  or  further  work  is 
impossible  without  the  danger  of  perforation,  the  canal  treatment  is 
conducted  upon  the  lines  laid  down  for  gangrenous  pulp.  (See  p. 
546.)  A  difficult  class  of  cases  sometimes  presents  in  which  the  disease 
supervenes  and  where  work  which  may  be  regarded  as  desperate 
has  been  done,  or  where  pins  have  been  inserted  and  are  almost 
impossible  of  removal,  as,  for  example,  where  a  Logan  crown,  has 
been  cemented  to  place.  In  such  cases  the  idea  of  Watkins  in  apply- 
ing blue  light  directly  by  means  of  a  funnel  may  be  of  great  value 
in  reducing  inflammation,  and  mild  applications  of  the  ic-rays  may 
be  useful,  but  sometimes  the  work  must  be  carefully  dismantled  to 
permit  re-treatment.  An  a:-ray  should  always  be  first  made  as  a 
guide. 

If  the  pericementitis  have  been  of  long  standing,  the  thickening 
of  the  membrane  will  have  caused  protrusion  of  the  tooth.  The 
tooth  should  be  ground  off  at  its  point  of  occlusion  until  it  occludes 
with  somewhat  less  force  than  its  neighbors,  the  therapeutic  principle 
in  these  cases  being  that  of  removing  the  source  of  irritation  and 
procuring  surgical  rest.  Indications  of  favorable  results  are  found 
in  the  red  gum  line  assuming  its  normal  position,  tenderness  disap- 
pearing, and  increased  tightness  of  the  tooth. 

This  affection  is  extremely  common  about  the  roots  of  pulpless 
teeth,  and  always  signifies  more  or  less  enforced  disuse  of  the  teeth, 
and,  if  uncorrected,  their  ultimate  loss. 


SEPTIC  PERICEMENTITIS  AT  BIFURCATIONS  013 

This  condition  is  sometimes  associated  with  a  ciiroiiic  hhnd 
abscess.  (See  p.  ()03.)  Upon  treatment,  acute  ai)ical  abscess  is  apt 
to  be  Hghted  up;  therefore  the  steriUzation  should  l)e  jjrolonged  and 
thorough  to  avoid  acute  apical  abscess.  In  one  case  of  a  cyst 
associated  with  a  lower  molar  tooth  which  had  a  leaky  gutta-percha 
crown  and  partial  canal  filling,  extraction  was  a(h'ised  for  reasons 
other  than  canal  treatment.  The  cyst  then  promptly  developed  as 
an  acute  abscess,  which  shifted  its  position  toward  the  cheek  and 
there  discharged  without  production  of  scar. 

Septic  Pericementitis  at  Bifurcations  of  Multi-rooted  Teeth. — 
Teeth  weakened  by  caries  may  fracture  after  filling  in  such  a  manner 
that  the  line  of  fracture  exposes  the  pericementum  at  the  bifurcation. 
The  crack  admits  septic  saliva,  and  a  filling  or  fillings  usually  sink 
gingivally,  wedging  apart  the  two  sections  and  admitting  more  or 
less  food  matter.  If  the  canals  of  the  sections  have  been  previously 
treated  and  filled,  it  is  usual  to  find  a  more  or  less  general  peri- 
cementitis due  to  the  w^edging  and  septic  irritation.  It  subsides  upon 
sterilizing  by  means  of  a  douche,  while  gentle  broaching  removes  the 
accumulated  debris.  Formocresol,  diluted  with  phenol  camphor  to 
a  5  or  10  per  cent,  formalin  strength,  is  to  be  placed  in  the  pulp 
cavity  and  covered  wdth  sandarached  cotton,  and  a  ligature  of  silk 
or  wire  is  to  be  tied  about  the  tooth  to  draw  the  parts  together.  A 
hollow  metal  crowai  is  to  be  constructed  and  before  placement  a 
little  oxyphosphate  of  copper  or  oxychlorid  of  zinc  cement  is  to 
be  worked  into  the  joint  which  is  temporarily  sprung  open.  The 
part  may  be  joined  by  amalgam  built  into  a  dove-tail  (Fig.  290), 
or  a  trephine  may  be  driven  into  the  face  of  the  crown  and  a  metal 
ring  be  cemented  into  it  (Fig.  300). 

If  the  canals  be  septic,  an  apical  abscess  may  complicate  the 
condition  and  require  treatment  while  the  fracture  is  being  handled. 
In  some  cases  a  metal  staple  may  be  placed  in  the  canals  of  the  two 
sections  and  so  arranged  as  to  spring  the  parts  together  when  forced 
to  place.  The  joint  should  have  one  of  the  cements  worked  into  it 
before  this  staple  is  cemented  to  place.  About  the  staple  quick- 
setting  amalgam  should  be  packed,  a  copper  band  having  been  pre- 
viously adjusted  to  act  as  a  matrix.  Later,  this  band  is  to  be  removed 
and  a  porcelain-faced  gold  crown  or  a  porcelain  crown  baked  on  a 
heavy  w^ide  platinum  band  and  cap  arranged  to  sustain  it  (Fig.  299). 

The  staple  may  be  utilized  as  a  portion  of  a  crown  base  of  the 
Richmond  or  other  variety,  the  bifurcation  and  crown  cementing 
being  deferred  until  the  final  operation.  Irritation  may  arise  in 
some  of  these  cases,  wdiich  however,  need  not  prevent  the  trial  of 
the  method  as  a  last  resort. 


CHAPTER    XXI 

.    NON-SEPTIC   PERICEMENTITIS 

Various  grades  of  pericemental  irritation,  ranging  from  a  mild 
arterial  hyperemia  to  actual  inflammation,  may  be  produced  by 
non-septic  causes. 

The  most  satisfactory  evidence  that  inflammation  may  be  so 
caused  is  furnished  by  Talbot's  experiments  with  the  mercurialization 
of  dogs.  Beginning  with  healthy  pericementi,  these  were,  after 
mercurialization  of  the  animal,  found  to  contain  the  round-celled 
infiltration  characteristic  of  inflammation,  and  no  bacteria  could  be 
found.  Further  evidence  is  given  by  the  usual  experimental  study 
of  inflammation  with  the  mesentery  of  the  frog.  Simple  irritation, 
even  with  antiseptic  substances,  produces  the  phenomena.  Any  of 
the  causes  which  may  produce  inflammation  may,  if  acting  in  more 
mild  degree,  produce  arterial  hyperemia.  If  the  action  of  the  cause 
be  violent  and  then  discontinued,  as  in  the  case  of  a  blow,  the  inflam- 
mation resulting  is  acute,  but  may  pass  into  a  chronic  form;  but  if 
the  cause  continue  to  act  it  produces  a  chronic  inflammation. 

For  purposes  of  description,  non-septic  pericementitis  may  be 
divided,  according  to  its  character,  into  traumatic  and  symptomatic, 
and,  according  to  its  location,  into  apical  and  general. 


TRAUMATIC  PERICEMENTITIS 

By  traumatic  pericementitis  is  meant  a  profound  irritation  of  the 
pericementum,  the  result  of  mechanical  violence  applied  externally 
to  the  tooth,  or  of  instrumentation  or  chemical  irritation  of  the 
pericementum  through  the  root  canal. 

Causes. — Violence  Externally  Applied. — Excessive  force  deliv- 
ered directly  upon  the  teeth,  as  in  case  of  blows,  falls,  overmalleting 
in  building  fillings,  the  biting  of  nuts,  thread,  or  other  hard  objects, 
or  force  indirectly  delivered,  as  in  case  of  blows  received  under  the 
chin,  bringing  the  teeth  forcibly  together,  may  all  cause  acute  peri- 
cementitis. 

An  excessive  amount  of  filling  on  the  occlusal  surface  of  a  tooth, 
a  maloccluding  crown  or  overfull  fillings  upon  the  proximal  aspect. 


TRAUMATIC  PERICEMENTITIS  615 

maintaining  a  wedged  condition,  cause  overocclusion  upon  the  tooth 
and  an  irritation  of  its  pericementum. 

The  overstraining  of  the  pericementum  of  a  tooth  as  the  result  of 
overuse,  as  in  cases  where  only  a  few  teeth  remain  for  mastication,  or 
where  pyorrhea  or  calculus  has  caused  resorption  of  the  alveolar 
process  and  looseness  of  the  teeth,  or  where  artificial  dentures  are 
clasped  to  remaining  teeth,  or  where  bridges  are  supported  upon 
insufficient  piers,  are  frequent  causes  of  non-septic  pericementitis  of 
a  degenerative  character.  The  presence  of  a  rough  flaring  or  a  too 
deeply  placed  crown  band  beneath  the  gum  margins,  portions  of 
cement  used  in  cementation  of  crowns,  or  excess  of  filling  material 
beneath  the  gum,  are  all  causes  of  marginal  gingivitis,  with  which 
pericementitis  may  be  associated.  With  these  marginal  cases  septic 
causes  usually  have  to  be  considered  as  complications. 

Too  violent  wedging  is  always  followed  by  more  or  less  peri- 
cementitis of  the  wedged  teeth,  and  their  neighbors,  more  marked 
when  elastic-rubber  wedges  are  used. 

In  correcting  irregularities  of  the  teeth,  if  they  be  moved  too 
rapidly,  are  not  firmly  directed  during  the  operation,  or,  subse- 
quently, not  firmly  maintained  in  position,  pericementitis  of  a  high 
grade  is  frequentl}'  excited. 

Violence  Internally  Applied. — If  a  wholly  or  partially  vital 
pulp  be  torn  from  its  apical  connections,  as  in  the  use  of  pressure 
anesthesia,  an  apical  traumatic  pericementitis  may  be  set  up.  This 
is  usually  transient.  Secondary  hemorrhage  may  occur  and  produce 
pericementitis. 

Excessive  laceration  of  the  apical  tissue  by  means  of  barbed 
instruments,  the  inclusion  of  air  or  medicament  under  a  root  dress- 
ing or  filling,  the  same  exercising  pressure  upon  the  apical  tissues; 
the  mechanical  irritation  of  a  projecting  root  filling,  pivot  wire, 
broach,  or  drill,  are  all  suflScient  causes. 

The  undue  enlargement  of  the  apex  of  the  root  canal  or  the  passage 
of  a  reamer  through  the  lateral  aspect  of  a  root  may  excite  inflam- 
mation, and  the  perfect  filling  of  the  opening  may  be  exceedingly 
difficult,  so  that  if  the  tissues  are  not  infected  at  the  time,  sepsis 
may  later  follow. 

Chemical  Irritation. — The  application  of  arsenic  to  a  perfora- 
tion may  excite  inflammation  and  necrosis,  which  endangers  the 
jaw.  (See  p.  504.)  The  use  of  arsenic  as  a  pulp  devitalizer  may 
cause  a  hyperemia  of  the  apical  tissue,  following  the  hyperemia  of 
the  pulp,  and  causing  slight  tooth  extrusion,  which  is  aggravated 
by  the  malocclusion.     This  is  not  dangerous.     (See  p.  497.) 

The  undue  use  of  escharotics,  such  as  carbolic  acid,  sodium  dioxid, 


616  NON-SEPTIC  PERICEMENTITIS 

zinc  chlorid,  sulphuric  acid,  or  mercuric  chlorid,  in  a  pulp  canal 
may  excite  an  undesirable  irritation.  The  limited  irritation  follow- 
ing their  limited  use  is  often  more  than  offset  by  the  advantages  of 
the  asepsis  produced. 

Prophylaxis. — Many  of  these  causes  are  avoidable,  and  operators 
mindful  of  possible  irritations  should  avoid  the  mechanical  irritation 
of  apical  tissues,  neutralize  powerful  acids  or  alkalies,  use  escharotics 
with  caution,  wedge  teeth  gradually,  and  after  wedging  either  pack 
gutta-percha  between  the  teeth  to  permit  them  to  rest  for  a  few 
days  or  fix  them  immovably  with  wooden  wedges  or  steel  separators 
during  malleting. 

During  orthodontia  teeth  should  be  moved  steadily,  and  after 
alignment  is  secured  they  should  be  firmly  maintained  in  position 
until  deposition  of  bone  occurs. 

Patients  should  be  warned  against  the  evil  effects  of  thread  biting 
and  biting  hard  substances. 

Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. — Chemical  substances  applied  in 
excess  cause  a  destruction  of  tissue  dependent  upon  the  quantity 
used.  Inflammation  tending  to  the  resorption  of  the  dead  tissue 
occurs.  The  pericementitis  presumably  persists  in  some  degree 
until  the  foreign  (dead)  material  is  removed  by  natural  processes. 

In  the  case  of  protruding  foreign  bodies,  such  as  root  fillings, 
broaches,  etc.,  there  is  a  tendency  of  the  inflammation  to  become 
subacute  or  chronic.  The  foreign  body  may  to  an  extent  become 
encysted,  particularly  in  the  case  of  a  gutta-percha  root  filling.  In 
other  cases  the  continued  vascular  disturbance,  if  of  mild  degree, 
produces  hypercementosis ;  in  more  severe  cases  resorption  of  the 
root  occurs. 

Cases  due  to  perforation  of  the  root  and  wounding  of  the  peri- 
cementum, after  the  acute  symptoms  have  passed,  commonly  assume 
an  irritative  and  chronic  type,  the  soft  tissues  included  in  the 
perforation  being  in  a  state  of  chronic  inflammation.  Many  of  these 
cases  become  infected  owing  to  the  difficulty  of  completely  sterilizing 
the  apical  portion  of  the  canal  which  lies  beyond  them. 

The  pericementitis  produced  by  pressure  of  included  air,  liquid, 
or  plastic  root  filling  upon  the  apical  tissue  is  often  severe.  Upon 
removal  of  the  root  dressing  or  filling  the  engorgement  is  relieved 
b}"  the  gushing  of  blood  through  the  root  canal.  The  inflammation 
may,  however,  continue  unless  sedatives  be  applied  to  the  apical 
tissue  via  the  canal. 

In  cases  due  to  traumatism,  such  as  violent  wedging,  rapid  move- 
ment in  regulating,  overmalleting,  blows,  biting  of  thread,  ice,  nuts, 
etc.,  the  condition  is  surgically  one  of  bruise. 


TRAUMATIC  PERICEMENTITIS  617 

The  phenomena  of  active  inflammation  make  their  ai)pearance  to 
an  extent  governed  l)y  the  degree  of  violence — exndation,  swelling, 
redness,  and  pain;  fibrinous  and  corpuscular  exudations  occur,  and 
later  a  reorganization  of  tissue  occurs,  in  some  cases  a  degeneration, 
depending  upon  the  completeness  with  which  the  indicated  thera- 
peusis  is  applied  and  upon  the  vitality  of  the  patient. 

Traumatic  pericementitis  in  high  degree  in  the  young  may  be 
recovered  from;  but  in  the  middle  aged  and  aged  it  may  give  rise  to 
a  series  of  degenerative  changes  which  only  end  with  the  loss  of  the 
tooth. 

In  cases  due  to  looseness  of  the  teeth,  of  course,  septic  primary 
causes  have  to  be  considered,  but  the  pericementitis  may  be  quite 
as  much  mechanically  as  septically  produced. 

In  all  cases  the  extrusion  caused  by  the  inflammation  adds  another 
exciting  cause  of  apical  pericementitis — /.  e.,  malocclusion,  which 
aggravates  the  condition. 

Symptoms  and  Diagnosis. — The  amount  of  pericemental  inflamma- 
tion present  is  evidenced  by  the  soreness  and  extrusion  of  the  tooth 
and  the  degree  of  redness  in  the  overlying  gum  tissue. 

A  history  of  violence  may  be  obtained  when  it  has  occurred.  Mal- 
occlusion may  be  detected  by  occlusion  marks  upon  fillings  or  by 
means  of  carbon  paper.  The  untoward  results  of  canal  operations 
may  be  inferred  from  a  personal  knowledge  of  the  case  or,  perhaps, 
from  the  history.  It  is  at  times  difficult  to  exclude  septic,  non- 
purulent, apical  pericementitis  as  a  cause,  particularly  if  the  case 
come  from  the  hands  of  another  practitioner.  In  doubtful  cases 
the  treatment  for  inferred  traumatisms  may  be  employed,  and  if 
followed  by  good  results  a  post  hoc  diagnosis  of  traumatic  peri- 
cementitis may  be  made.  The  a:'-rays  afford  a  means  of  determining 
extruding  root  fillings,  broaches,  etc. 

Treatment. — Foreign  bodies  protruding  from  the  root  apex  must 
be  removed  if  persistent  symptoms  demand  it.  This  may  require 
an  artificial  opening  for  its  performance,  or  root  amputation.  Per- 
forations should  be  carefully  treated. 

If  evidence  of  pericementitis  persist,  the  end  of  the  root  including 
the  perforation  should  be  amputated,  or  if  the  tooth  persistently 
extrude,  the  tooth  may  be  extracted,  the  perforation  and  canal  filled 
with  gold  or  gutta-percha,  and  the  tooth  replanted  under  antiseptic 
precautions. 

In  all  cases  due  to  violence  the  treatment  is  that  adapted  to 
injury;  first,  surgical  rest  of  the  pericementum.  This  may  be 
accomplished  in  two  ways:  either  by  preventing  the  tooth  striking 
its  antagonists  or  holding  it  so  rigidly  that  it  cannot  move  if  it  does 


618  NON-SEPTIC  PERICEMENTITIS 

meet  them.  As  a  preliminary  measure  the  tooth  is  gently  but 
firmly  lashed  to  its  neighbors  b}^  means  of  ligatures  so  that  it  is 
rigidly  held.  A  swaged  cap  is  either  fitted  to  a  neighboring  tooth, 
or  the  antagonizing  teeth  are  ground  away  until  they  fail  to  strike 
the  injured  tooth;  the  first  method  is  to  be  preferred. 

In  cases  involving  several  teeth,  such  as  all  of  the  incisors,  two 
metallic  plates  are  quickly  swaged  to  cover  posterior  teeth  and  raise 
the  bite,  and  they  are  cemented  in  position  to  relieve  the  irritated 
teeth  from  occlusion. 

When  the  apical  tissues  have  been  irritated  by  way  of  the  canal, 
sedatives,  such  as  strong  tincture  of  aconite  or  menthol  in  chloroform 
or  phenol-camphor  or  eugenol  or  menthol-phenoP  (menthol,  3  parts; 
carbolic  acid,  1  part;  melted  together)  or  thymophen  should  be 
applied  on  cotton  to  the  apical  tissue  by  way  of  the  root  canal.  All 
cases  of  traumatic  pericementitis  require  the  persistent  use  of  counter- 
irritants,  applied  every  other  day  to  the  overlying  gum.    (See  p.  451.) 

Systemic  derivation  is  also  useful  in  the  acute  cases.  In  even 
mild  cases  not  due  to  violence  the  guarding  of  the  extruded  tooth 
against  malocclusion  is  of  advantage. 

If  the  cause  be  some  mechanical  irritant  at  the  gum  margin,  this 
should  be  removed  and  the  case  treated  as  above  described.  Recog- 
nizing the  possible  influence  of  septic  causes,  oral  antiseptics  are  to 
be  used. 


SYMPTOMATIC  NON-SEPTIC  PERICEMENTITIS 

By  symptomatic  non-septic  pericementitis  is  meant  an  aseptic 
pericementitis  occurring  as  the  result  of  systemic  conditions,  or  of 
the  action  of  drugs  taken  internally. 

If  mercury  be  administered  to  patients  in  large  doses  for  long 
periods,  or  in  one  or  more  massive  doses,  or  if  the  patient  have  an 
idiosyncrasy  to  the  action  of  this  agent,  an  irritation  of  the  salivary 
glands  is  excited,  followed  by  looseness  and  soreness  of  the  teeth  and 
swelling  of  the  gums;  that  is,  a  general  pericementitis  and  maxillary 
periostitis  arise.  The  patient  has  a  metallic  coppery  taste,  coated 
tongue,  and  fetid  breath;  the  gums  are  puffy  and  bleed  easily.  In 
advanced  cases  the  tongue  and  cheeks  are  swollen.  Potassium 
iodid  administered  in  this  condition  relieves  the  maxillary  periostitis 
and  pericementitis;  but  the  same  drug  administered  in  health,  or  for 
conditions  other  than  mercurial  poisoning,  also  causes  irritation  of 
the  pericementum.    Pilocarpin  has  a  similar  effect,  though  in  much 

'  Dr.  Morgan  Howe. 


SYMPTOMATIC  NON-SEPTIC  PERICEMENTITIS         619 

less  degree.  All  of  these  drugs  are  partially  eliminated  by  the  gland- 
ular appendages  of  the  mouth,  and  during  elimination  apparently 
act  as  local  irritants.    Lead  poisoning  may  have  a  similar  action. 

Patients  who  have  a  gouty  heredity,  or  who  are  the  subjects  of 
active  gout,  frequently  exhibit  a  tenderness  of  the  entire  pericemen- 
tum of  one  or  more  or  sometimes  all  of  the  teeth.  This  pericemental 
disturbance  may  be  the  precursor  of  an  acute  outbreak  of  gout  in 
the  metatarsophalangeal  joint. 

Scurvy — a  very  rare  systemic  disease — is  attended  by  rapid 
degeneration  of  the  pericementum  of  the  teeth  and  of  the  alveolar 
tissues. 

Syphilis  is  also  attended  by  pericemental  irritation.  This,  of 
course,  is  of  septic  origin. 

Talbot's  experiments  on  dogs  show  conclusively  that  a  true  peri- 
cementitis may  be  induced  owing  to  the  chemotactic  properties  of 
the  mercury  alone.     (See  Interstitial  Gingivitis.) 

In  auto-intoxication  by  intestinal  toxins  or  by  leukomains  in 
diseases  involving  general  malnutrition,  the  irritants  are  probably 
in  part  eliminated  by  the  gums,  which  are  in  turn  irritated.  (See 
Gouty  Pericementitis.) 

It  has  been  shown  by  Loup  that  mercurial  stomatitis  may  be 
cured  by  mercury  used  as  an  oral  antiseptic;  therefore,  the  logical 
conclusion  is  that  oral  organisms  play  a  part  in  the  production  of 
the  local  effects  of  mercury;  probably  the  mercury  produces  a  local 
predisposition.  This  is  further  confirmed  by  the  fact  that  if  the 
teeth  are  attended  to  and  oral  prophylaxis  be  practised  before  the 
administration  of  mercury  to  syphilitics,  they  tolerate  greater 
amounts  of  the  drug  before  salivation  or  stomatitis. 

Treatment. — The  drug  should  be  discontinued,  the  disease,  if 
present,  should  be  antagonized,  and  the  local  complications,  if  any, 
should  be  appropriately  treated,  antisepsis  being  always  advisable. 
If  the  pericementitis,  gingivitis,  and  stomatitis  be  mercurial,  the 
drug  should  be  stopped  and  an  antisialagogue  used,  such  as  atropin 
sulphate,  y^-^  gr.  each  four  to  six  hours,  until  relieved. 

Potassium  chlorate  as  a  mouth  wash,  or  internally,  is  useful  if  the 
stomach  is  not  irritable. 

EJ — Potassii  chlorat gr.  xlviij 

Tr.  myrrh fSss 

Elixir  calisayae q.  s.  ad  fSiiJ — M. 

Sig. — Teaspoonful  every  five  hours,  or  use  as  a  mouth  wash.     (Hare.) 

Results  of  Chronic  Non-septic  Pericementitis. — If  at  any  point  of 
the  irritated  pericementum  a  constructive  grade  of  irritation  be 
maintained,  the  cemental  tissue  becomes  hypertrophied  (Fig.  560). 


620 


NON-SEPTIC  PERICEMENTITIS 


If  a  more  severe  grade  of  irritation — i.  e.,  low-grade  inflammation 
— be  present  for  a  long  time,  the  cementum  and  even  the  dentin 
of  the  root  may  be  resorbed.  Both  of  these  results  may  go  on 
concurrently  at  different  points,  or  resorption  may  be  followed  by 
deposition  of  cementum  if  the  conditions  change. 

Chronic  overuse  or  disuse  of  teeth  result  in  degenerations  of  the 
pericementum. 


HYPERCEMENTOSIS  (DENTAL  EXOSTOSIS,  EXCEMENTOSIS, 
HYPERPLASIA  OF  THE  CEMENTUM) 

Definition. — By  hypercementosis  is  meant  a  secondary  deposit,  or 
an  increase  of  volume  of  the  cementum  of  a  tooth  beyond  the  normal 
limit.    It  may  be  circumscribed  or  diffuse. 

Causes. ^ — A  constructive  degree  of  hyperemia  or  very  mild  inflam- 
mation is  the  proximate  cause,  which  may  be  excited  by  numerous 
primary  causes,  such  as  a  projecting  root  filling,  a  projecting  edge  of 
crown  filling,  deposits  of  salivary  calculus,  the  overlapping  of  a  cavity 
margin  by  the  gum,  malocclusion,  non-occlusion,  the  biting  of  hard 
objects,  such  as  nuts  or  thread,  the  overuse  of  certain  teeth,  the 
habitual  tapping  together  of  teeth,  the  habitual  chewing  of  tooth- 
picks, the  gradual  pressure  of  gas  from  dead  pulps.   The  pressure  of  a 


Fig.  560 


tooth  root  against  another  root  during  eruption  is  a  sufficient  cause. 
(See  Fig.  206.)  The  overcrowding  of  teeth  in  an  arch  has  also  caused 
this  condition,  as  has  also  the  impaction  of  a  tooth  (Fig.  239). 
Chronic  alveolar  abscess  or  pyorrhea  alveolaris  may  cause  it  by 
inducing  about  itself  at  a  distance  an  area  of  hyperemia.  It  also 
seems  at  times  to  be  induced  after  pulp  devitalization  from  any 
cause.  Hypercementosis  is  a  possibility  in  any  case  of  chronic  peri- 
cemental irritation;  it  represents  a  degree  of  irritation  rather  than 
any  one  specific  cause.  It  has  been  discussed  by  some  writers 
under  the  heading  of  Constructive  or  Condensing  Pericementitis, 
and  is  fairly  analogous  to  osteosclerosis.     (See  p.  137.) 


H  YPERCEMENTOSIS 


621 


Situation. — Hypercementosis  may  be  diffused  over  almost  an 
entire  root  or  several  roots,  or  be  localized  as  a  distinct  nodule  at 
some  lateral  aspect,  or  exist  as  a  circumscribed  enlargement  about 
the  apex  of  a  root,  or  at  the  neck  of  a  root.  It  is  always  located 
where  the  cause  (hyperemia)  has  been  produced  (Fig.  560). 

Fig.  561 


Hypercementosis.    (Skiagraph  by  Lodge.) 


Flagg  noted  that  75  per  cent,  of  cases  of  hypercementosis  were 
found  upon  posterior  teeth,  and  that  the  teeth  were  usually  of  the 
character  termed  dense — i.  e.,  the  tissues  of  the  individual  were  of 
recuperative  type,  tending  to  produce  constructive  changes. 


Fig.  562 


m 


'S/-^-., 


fi-~i\L< 


A 

.•'"■^Z 


/ /l/f^//.s'jr,'/'7,.. 


L\\l\ 


..vvM^I»(rt\t^tlilS 


Hypertroph\  of  the  cementum  on  the  side  of  i  root  of  a  lower  molar  near  the  neck  of  the  tooth 
of  a  man:  o,  dentin;  6,  cementum;  c,  fibers  of  peridental  membrane;  from  fc  to  c  the  cementum 
is  normal  and  the  incremental  lines  fairly  regular,  hut  at  d  one  of  the  lamellae  is  greatly  thickened; 
at  e  this  lamellae  is  seen  to  be  about  equal  in  thickness  with  the  others.  The  next  two  lamellae 
are  thin  over  the  greatest  prominence,  but  one  is  much  thickened  at  q.  and  both  at  h.  These 
latter  seem  to  partially  fill  the  valleys  which  were  occasioned  by  the  first  irregular  growth.  From 
a  lengthwise  section.     (Black.) 


Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. — For  some  time  after  eruption 
the  cementum  consists  of  but  few  lamellae  of  deposit.  It,  however, 
reaches  a  maximum  normal  development  at  which  it  normally  rests, 
as  in  the  case  of  the  physiological  pulp  cavity.    As  age  progresses 


622 


NON-SEPTIC  PERICEMENTITIS 


it  is  apt  to  be  more  thickly  deposited  at  the  expense  of  the  peri- 
cementum, which  becomes  more  attenuated.  Whether  this  is  due  to 
irritants  floating  in  the  blood  stream,  or  to  the  various  local  irritants 
above  mentioned,  or  to  perfectly  normal  development,  is  not  clear 
except  for  certain  definite  cases. 

Nodular  and  irregular  forms  arising  from  the  general  surface  are 
clearly  of  abnormal  type. 


Fig.  563 


Apex  of  root  of  an  upper  bicuspid  tooth  with  irregularly  developed  cementum:  a,  a,  dentin; 
h,  b,  pulp  canals.  The  lamellae  of  cementum  are  marked  1,  2,  3,  etc.;  d,  d,  d,  absorption  areas  that 
have  been  refilled  with  cementum.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  apices  of  the  roots  were  originally 
separate,  but  became  fused  with  the  deposit  of  the  second  lamella  of  cementum,  and  that  in  this 
regular  growth  began  and  was  most  pronounced.  It  has  continued  through  the  sub.«equent 
lamellae  but  in  less  degree.  It  will  also  be  noticed  that  the  absorption  areas,  d,  d,  d,  have  pro- 
ceeded from  certain  lamellae.  That  between  the  roots  has  broken  through  the  first  lamella  and 
penetrated  the  dentin,  and  has  been  filled  with  the  deposit  of  a  second  lamella.  Other  of  the 
absorptions  have  proceeded  from  lamellae  which  can  be  readily  made  out.  The  small  points,  e, 
seem  to  have  been  filled  with  the  deposit  of  the  last  layer  of  the  cementum,  while  others  have  one, 
two,  or  more  layers  covering  them.     (Black.) 


Successive  lamellse  are  deposited;  the  pericementum  recedes, 
causing  resorption  of  the  alveolar  process.  Union  of  the  bone  and 
cementum  (ankylosis)  very  rarely  occurs.  A  resorption  of  cementum 
and  dentin  may  occur  at  some  point  owing  to  a  different  degree  of 
irritation,  and  in  the  area  a  new  deposition  of  cementum  may  occur 
(Fig.  563,  d).  In  some  cases  distinct  areas  of  hypercementosis  and 
root  resorption  are  seen  in  close  proximity.  Chronic  apical  abscess 
may  produce  a  denudation  of  the  root  end,  and  a  short  distance 


H  YPERCEMEN  TOSIS  623 

below  an  annular  ridge  of  hypercementosis  may  occur.  Areas  of 
hypercementosis  may  be  translucent  or  decidedly  opaque,  and 
sometimes  the  two  are  combined,  a  mottled  appearance  being 
produced. 

If  the  growth  proximate  another  root,  the  pericementum  may 
resorb  at  the  point  of  contact  and  a  deposition  of  cementum  occur 
which  firmly  unites  the  roots  in  a  union  called  concrescence.  (See 
p.  251.) 

It  has  occurred  that  a  root  filling  protruding  through  a  perforation 
has  caused  a  diffused  exostosis  of  the  alveolar  process.^  The  hyper- 
trophied  process  may  be  ivory-like  in  hardness. 

Symptoms  and  Diagnosis. — Many  cases  exist  without  active  local 
symptoms.  In  no  case  is  the  color  of  the  gum  altered  unless  other 
disease  than  hyperemia  be  acting  as  a  cause.  In  some  cases  there 
are  symptoms  of  hyperemia  expressed  as  a  disposition  to  bite  hard 
upon  the  particular  tooth,  or  to  grind  upon  it.  A  paroxysm  of  gnaw- 
ing pain  lasting  for  some  hours,  and  recurring  at  intervals,  is  also 
somewhat  characteristic.  Sympathetic  hyperemia  of  the  pulp  with 
increased  response  to  thermal  changes  may  occur.  The  gum  may 
have  slightly  receded. 

Neuralgia,  functional  blindness,  functional  deafness,  chorea, 
epileptiform  fits,  paralysis,  cardiac  neuralgia,  insanity,  and  other 
related  conditions  have  been  cured  by  the  extraction  of  hyper- 
cementosed  teeth. ^ 

The  treatment  of  teeth  presenting  obstinate  symptoms  of  peri- 
cementitis, apparently  due  to  moist  gangrene  of  the  pulp,  may  at 
times  be  complicated  by  unsuspected  hypercementosis. 

In  such  cases,  if  pulp  or  pericemental  complication  cannot  be 
determined,  suspicion  should  point  to  hypercementosis  and  an  .r-ray 
examination  be  made,  by  which  means  the  condition  may  be  posi- 
tively determined.  As  entire  dentures  have  been  extracted,  tooth 
by  tooth,  in  a  vain  endeavor  to  cure  a  neuralgia  about  the  head, 
this  means  of  diagnosis  should  not  be  overlooked. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  for  hypercementosis  may  first  be  a 
conservative  one  if  only  slight  annoyance  be  produced  by  it. 

Counterirritation — correction  of  malocclusion,  etc. — may  be  em- 
ployed. The  symptoms  may  disappear.  If  they  do  not,  or  they 
are  severe  when  the  patient  applies,  the  tooth  should  be  completely 
extracted.  The  operation  of  amputation  of  the  root  end  might  be 
safely  tried  for  apical  hypercementosis,  but  there  are  no  records  of  its 


1  Garretson's  Oral  Clinic,  1884. 

2  Brubaker:  American  System  of  Dentistry. 


624  NON-SEPTIC  PERICEMENTITIS 

employment  as  a  means  of  cure.  The  bulbous  condition  of  the  root 
end  may  cause  extraction  to  be  difficult,  and  fracture  of  the  root  end 
may  occur.  Flagg  recommended  that  in  such  a  case  a  fissure  drill 
be  passed  about  the  circumference  of  the  root  end  to  remove  the  bony 
obstruction  to  its  passage  out  of  the  alveolus,  after  which  it  may  be 
lifted  away  with  tweezers.  Cocain  may  be  used  as  an  obtundent. 
The  use  of  alveolar  forceps  for  the  condition  is  little  short  of  brutal, 
and  only  warranted  by  the  impracticability  of  other  means. 

Extraction  for  hypercementosis  may  cause  considerable  bruising 
of  the  walls  of  the  alveolus,  followed  by  excruciating  pain  lasting 
often  for  days.  The  alveolus  may  refuse  to  granulate,  and  a  septic 
condition  result.  The  pain  has  at  times  been  relieved  by  the  injec- 
tion of  a  2  per  cent,  solution  of  cocain  into  the  gum  on  either  side  of 
the  alveolus,  after  which  the  surfaces  of  the  alveolar  walls  should 
be  sterilized  and  burred  away  until  tissue  capable  of  granulation  is 
reached. 

The  alveolus  should  then  be  irrigated  and  a  clot  invited  by  causing 
a  slight  hemorrhage.     (See  p.  604.) 

Fig.  564 


m^ 


Vertical  section  of  a  human  tooth  ankylosed  to  the  jaw:  R,  root;  B,  bone  of  jaw.  The  abso- 
lute continuity  of  the  two  hard  tissues  is  strikingly  shown.  From  the  collection  of  the  late  Storer 
Bennett.'     (Hopewell-Smith.) 

1  Transactions  of  the  Odontological  Society  of  Great  Britain. 


RESORPTION  OF   THE  ROOTS  OF  PERMANENT  TEETH     625 

ANKYLOSIS  (SYNOSTOSIS) 

By  this  is  meant  the  union  of  bone  and  cementum,  a  condition 
analogous  to  ankylosis  of  bone. 

Hopewell-Smith'  has  described  5  cases,  of  which  he  offers  the 
following  explanation:  (1)  inflammation  occurs  and  the  membrane 
is  changed  into  granulation  tissue;  (2)  the  cellular  elements  destroy 
portions  of  the  bone  and  excavate  the  cementum;  (3)  the  mass  of 
granulation  tissue  is  then  ossified,  joining  the  bone  and  cementum 
in  a  firm  union. 

E.  C.  Rice^  has  reported  a  case  of  a  lady  for  whom  an  implantation 
of  an  upper  bicuspid  was  done.  In  an  effort  made  later  to  remove 
the  tooth  all  attempts  to  loosen  it  in  any  degree  with  forceps  failed. 

In  my  own  practice  an  implanted  tooth  is  firmly  immovable  in 
any  degree,  though  several  years  in  place.  The  union  may  not  be 
osseous  in  these  cases,  though  doubtless  bone  has  entered  areas  of 
previous  resorption.  A  remarkable  case  was  shown  the  editor  by 
Dr.  J.  Curry,  of  Philadelphia.  Every  pier  tooth  of  four  bridges  was 
firmly  ankylosed  and  immovable,  yet  large  bays  of  resorption  in 
each  root  necessitated  extraction.     This  was  not  a  plantation  case. 


RESORPTION  OF  THE  ROOTS  OF  PERMANENT  TEETH 

By  resorption  of  the  roots  of  permanent  teeth  is  meant  the  gradual 
removal  of  the  cementum  and  dentin  of  permanent  roots  by  phago- 
cytic cells  existing  in  the  adjacent  soft  tissue  (osteoclasts). 

Causes. — ^The  proximate  cause  is  probably  in  all  cases  a  degree  of 
irritation  greater  than  that  required  to  produce  h\'percementosis. 
Probably  a  mild  non-septic  inflammation  exists.  Talbot's  demon- 
strations of  interstitial  gingivitis,  a  term  meant  to  include  interstitial 
pericementitis,  show  that  it  is  a  frequent  cause  of  both  root  and 
alveolar  resorption.  (See  Deeply-seated  Gingivitis.)  In  other  words, 
it  is  due  mainly  to  an  aseptic  pericementitis. 

The  disease  has  been  discussed  by  other  writers  as  "Rarefying 
Pericementitis,"  fairly  analogous  to  osteoporosis.     (See  p.  137.) 

Chronic  apical  abscess  seems  to  be  a  frequent  cause.  Although 
theoretically  the  alkaline  pus  formed  should  neutralize  acid  forma- 
tion, the  fact  of  resorption  remains,  and  is  probably  explainable 

'  Histology  and  Pathohistology  of  the  Teeth. 
-  Private  communication. 

40 


626 


NON-SEPTIC  PERICEMENTITIS 


upon  the  ground  that  it  is  produced  by  the  granulation  tissue 
formed  about  the  root  apex  during  periods  of  lessened  pus  formation 
(Fig.  543). 


Fig    565 


Fig.  566 


Fig.  567 


Fig.  665. — Apical  abscess  and  resorption,  produced  by  a  protruding  broach. 

Fig.  566. — Deciduous  cuspid  crowned,  mistaken  for  permanent   cuspid  which  lay  in  jaw   and 
caused  resorption  of  root  of  permanent  lateral.     (Skiagraph  by  Price.) 

•    Fig.  567. — Resorption  at  cervical  third  in  two  replanted  teeth,   one  broken  in  consequence. 
Editor's  practice.     (Skiagraph  by  Hagopian.) 


Fig.  568 


Fig.  569 


Case  of  extensive  resorption  about  upper 
central.     (Skiagraph  by  Lodge.) 


Resorption  of  roots.    (Skiagraph  by  Lodge.) 


Protruding  root  filHngs  or  broaches  are  common  causes  (Fig.  565). 
Plantations  are  frequently  followed  by  it.  A  peculiar  resorption 
in  the  cervical  third  of  two  replanted  incisors  caused  the  fracture 
of  one  at  the  point  of  resorption  and  necessitated  the  removal  of 
both  teeth  (Fig.  567).  Plantations  are  usually  f9llowed  by  peculiar 
resorptions  over  even  the  entire  root.  Looseness  of  a  tooth  with  the 
resultant  excess  of  movement  excites  deeply-seated  gingivitis  and 
resorption  of  bone  and  often  of  roots.  Partial  luxation  as  the 
result  of  a  blow  or  fall  produces  the  same  result,  the  pericementum 


I 


RESORPTION   OF  THE  ROOTS  OF  PERMANENT  TEETH     627 

becoming  thickened,  the  tooth  loosened  and  extruded,  and  mal- 
occlusion, which  is  also  a  cause,  being  induced. 

A  toothpick  broken  off  in  the  gum  tissue  has  produced  resorption 
at  the  neck  of  the  root. 

The  descent  of  a  supernumerary  or  impacted  tooth  upon  a  per- 
manent root  has  caused  resorption,  exposing  the  pulp  of  the  resorbed 
root,  and  producing  pulp  reactions.  This  may  be  quite  extensive 
before  violent  symptoms  occur  (Fig.  5GG).  In  one  case  both  the 
buccal  roots  of  an  upper  molar  were  removed  by  a  supernumerary 
tooth,  the  crown  of  which  fitted  the  resorbed  root  ends. 

Fig.  570 


Inflamed  pericementum,  osteoclasts  in  Howship's  lacunae.     (V.  A.  Latham.) 


Calculus  beneath  the  gum  margin  has  produced  resorption 
through  the  production  of  gingivitis.  In  one  case  noted  four  lower 
incisors  presented  the  characteristic  bays  at  a  point  one-eighth  inch 
below  the  gum  line. 

Some  of  the  cases  exhibit  no  tangible  cause;  the  root  resorbs  appar- 
ently as  the  result  of  a  peculiar  reaction  upon  the  part  of  the  tissues 
of  the  individual,  who  may  lose  many  teeth  by  this  process — i.  e.,  a 
dyscrasia  exists.  The  teeth  may  be  non-carious  and  the  pulps  vital. 
In  some  of  these  cases  neurasthenia  or  a  uric  acid  diathesis  seems 
to  have  some  association  with  the  condition  (Fig.  570). 


628  NON-SEPTIC  PERICEMENTITIS 

Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. — Both  resorption  of  cementum 
and  its  redeposition  occur  in  deciduous  teeth  as  physiological  pro- 
cesses; at  some  aspect  of  the  cementum  the  tissue  becomes  hollowed 
out,  and  later  filled  in  by  new  cementum.  Resorption  of  tissue 
throughout  the  body  is  accomplished  by  means  of  multinucleated 
cells  (giant  cells,  osteoclasts).  At  some  part  to  be  physiologically 
resorbed  these  cells  make  their  appearance  in  contact  with  the  tissue 
to  be  removed,  and  it  gradually  disappears,  the  layer  of  multinu- 
cleated cells  constantly  occupying  the  excavated  territory  known  as 
Howship's  lacunae  (Figs.  73  and  570). 

If  a  foreign  (aseptic)  body  be  introduced  into  living  tissues,  it 

becomes  surrounded  by  these  cells,  which  in  some  cases  effect  its 

removal;  in  others,  failing  to  remove  the  foreign  body,  connective 

tissue  forms  about  it   and  encysts  it;  encyst- 

FiG.  571  ment  may  occur  after  partial  removal  by  giant 

cells. 

The  resorption  of  a  root  may  be  of  any 
extent,  from  a  slight  spicular  roughness  of  the 
apex  of  the  root  to  almost  complete  removal  of 
the  root. 

Perforation  of   the  root  from  side   to    side 
Idiopathic  resorption  of     may  occur,  of  coursc,  involving  the  pulp  canal, 

permanent  root.      The  bay       ^ud,     if     thc    pulp     bc     allvC,     obsCUrC     rCactloUS 

upon  the  side  exposed   the  .  ,-,-,.         __^  , 

pulp  and  perforated  the     upon  its  part  may  occur  (l^lg.  571). 

root  as  shown.  Crater-like         ^j^  aj-gg,  of  marked  rcsorptiou  may  occur  at 

resorption      about      apical  •  •  i  i  i  •  i 

foramen.   Pulp  first  devi-     a    pomt   just   bcueath    the   gum  margm  and 
taiized  on  account  of  per-    ypQjj  ^j^y  aspcct  of  the  tooth.    In  this  situatiou 

sistent  pain  and  the  tooth       .  ...  •  c     i  i  i        i 

later  extracted.  it  may  Simulate  a  cavity  or  decay  beneath  the 

gum.  It  occurs  upon  either  vital  or  devi- 
talized teeth,  and  may  expose  the  pulp  or  the  root-canal  filling. 
The  gum  tissue  is  usually  found  within  the  cavity. 

It  is  probable  that  in  plantations  the  root  acts  as  an  aseptic  foreign 
body;  mild  inflainmation  occurs,  subsides,  and  giant  multinucleated 
cells  attack  the  tooth  root  and  endeavor  to  remove  it  by  solution; 
this  they  accomplish,  in  part,  in  spots;  then  a  tolerance  is  estab- 
lished and  connective  tissue  organizes  about  the  roots;  later,  more 
complete  regeneration  is  represented  in  the  formation  of  bone;  a 
condition  of  bony  fixation  is  established,  evidenced  by  the  clear- 
ringing  note  elicited  upon  tapping  the  planted  tooth. 

With  reference  to  resorption  after  plantations.  Miller^  records  the 

1  Independent  Practitioner,  1887. 


RESORPTION  OF   THE  ROOTS  OF  PERMANENT  TEETH     629 

toUowing  results  of  his  observations.    The  fixation  of  reimphuitefl  or 
transpkmted  teeth  may  be  accomplished  in  three  ways: 

1.  By  simple  encapsulation  of  the  root. 

2.  By  the  bundles  of  connective  tissue  which  fill  up  irregular 
absorption  spaces,  especially  where  the  pericementum  has  not  been 
present  at  that  portion  when  the  implantation  was  made  (a  pseudo- 
attachment). 

3.  By  direct  union  of  the  surrounding  tissues  with  the  living 
pericementum.  He  inclines  to  think  this  the  only  j^ermanent 
attachment. 

He  states  that  for  the  most  part  osteoclasts  were  few  and  that 
resorption  was  carried  on  by  small  round  cells. 


Fig.  572 


Resorption  of  distal  root  of  a  first  molar. 
(Skiagraph  by  Custer.) 


Diagram  of  a  cafe  of  root  resorption  after 
secondary  dentin  had  formed:  SD,  secondary 
dentin;  AR,  area  undergoing  resorption;  pecu- 
liar central  spire  of  secondary  dentin  which  has 
resisted  the  resorbent  action.  Specimen  in 
possession   of   Dr.   A.   P.   Fellows. 


The  inflammatory  reaction  and  resorption  is  least  when  replanta- 
tion is  practised,  but  may  at  times  be  pronounced  in  even  those 
cases.  If  the  socket  of  a  tooth  extracted  for  resorption  be  examined, 
a  mass  of  soft  tissue  will  be  found  occupying  the  locations  corre- 
sponding to  the  areas  of  resorption  (Fig.  572).  No  acid  reaction  can 
be  detected  with  litmus  paper,  but,  nevertheless,  it  is  probable  that 
the  cells  producing  resorption  excrete  an  acid  capable  of  dissolving 
the  tissue. 

There  is  some  evidence  of  this  in  cases  of  enamel  resorption  occur- 
ring upon  the  crowns  of  impacted  teeth  which  have  never  been  in 
relation  with  the  oral  fluids,  and  about  which  there  is  no  e\iflence  of 
caries  in  the  areas  of  dentin  resorption  also  present.  In  the  fortunate 
specimens  of  these  cases  a  superficial  decalcification  of  the  enamel 
surface  may  be  seen  which  can  only  occur  as  the  result  of  acid  action. 
(See  p.  296.) 

Symptoms  and  Diagnosis.- — The  tooth  may  present  symptoms  of 
non-septic  pericementitis,  and  may  be  loosened  in  advanced  cases. 
In  the  early  stages  no  looseness  may  be  observed  until  a  strain 


630  NON-SEPTIC  PERICEMENTITIS 

suddenly  applied  causes  a  luxation;  thereafter  the  tooth  progressively 
loosens. 

The  condition  may  be  discovered  by  accident;  evidences  of  mild 
pericementitis  appear,  and  the  pulp  canal  is  opened  to  search  for 
a  cause.  The  pulp  may  be  found  alive;  if  aHve,  and  it  is  killed,  or 
if  it  is  found  dead,  broaches  pass  suddenly  into  the  mass  of  soft 
tissue  underlying  the  root.  The  progressive  loosening  of  the  tooth, 
with  its  peculiar  movement,  is  about  the  only  constant  symptom  of 
the  condition. 

In  cases  of  live  pulp  this  organ  may  be  hyperemic,  so  that  increased 
response  to  heat  or  cold  is  felt;  this,  taken  in  connection  with  the 
tenderness  upon  percussion  which  can  usually  be  elicited,  and  with 
the  peculiar  loosening  of  the  tooth,  is  a  diagnostic  guide. 

Flagg^  stated  that  reflex  neuralgias  occur  in  this  condition,  but 
that  the  most  constant  indication  noted  by  him  was  a  sense  of  dis- 
comfort about  the  jaws,  vaguely  associated  with  some  one  tooth. 
The  patient  is  convinced  that  if  the  tooth  were  removed  relief  would 
follow.  In  the  absence  of  the  loosening,  which  may  not  occur  until 
the  root  is  nearly  gone,  the  resorption  is  most  commonly  discovered 
by  entering  the  pulp  canal  and  finding  its  length  much  shortened. 
In  some  cases  the  resorption  may  be  found  near  the  gum  margin  and 
simulating  a  cavity  of  decay,  from  which  it  may  readily  be  diagnos- 
ticated by  its  appearance  when  exposed  by  packing  the  gum  away. 
Such  cases  appear  to  accompany  a  marginal  gum  resorption. 

The  a:-rays  should  exhibit  the  condition  with  sufficient  clearness 
to  furnish  an  absolute  diagnosis. 

If  a  treatment  diagnosis  can  be  made,  the  tooth  should  be 
extracted  except  in  the  cases  near  the  gum  margin  alone,  which  may 
be  filled  with  plastic  fillings. 

DEGENERATION  OF  THE  PERICEMENTUM 

Strictly  speaking,  the  overuse,  abuse,  and  disuse  of  the  teeth  are 
catises  which  produce  a  general  hyperemia  or  inflammation  of  the 
pericementum  (non-septic  pericementitis) .  If  continued,  the  inflam- 
mation extends  into  the  gum  tissue  and  a  deep-seated  gingivitis  is 
produced.  The  results  of  the  causes  are,  therefore,  classiflable  under 
either  non-septic  pericementitis  or  interstitial  gingivitis.  Either  of 
these  conditions  renders  the  tissues  involved  liable  to  the  degenera- 
tions and  resorptions  which  accompany  continued  inflammation,  or 
acts  as  a  predisposing  cause  to  local  infection  by  oral  organisms, 


'  Lectures  on  Dental  Therapeutics. 


I 


OVERUSE  OF   TEETH  031 

beginning  its  action  at  the  gum  margin,  and  wliich  sooner  or  later 
produces  a  purulent  liquefaction  of  the  gingival  portion  of  the 
pericementum  (pyorrhea  alveolaris). 

In  view  of  applied  therapeutics  it  is  well  to  consider  these  causes 
separately. 

OVERUSE  OF  TEETH 

By  overuse  of  a  tooth  is  meant  such  a  variety  of  occlusion  that  the 
tooth  receives  a  greater  stress  than  its  neighbors,  or  than  it  is  designed 
to  bear.  The  stress  may  be  received  in  the  normal  direction,  but  be 
excessive  in  amount.  The  most  prominent  cause  of  this  condition 
is  the  loss  of  one  or  more  other  teeth,  permitting  undue  stress  to  fall 
upon  the  neighboring  teeth,  or,  in  some  cases,  on  far-distant  teeth. 
Too  prominent  artificial  crowns,  particularly  those  of  the  all-gold 
type,  cause  a  general  increase  of  stress  upon  the  pericementum. 
Enormous  overfull  contour  fillings  may  establish  a  similar  condition. 
When  but  few  isolated  teeth  remain  in  one  denture  and  have  antag- 
onists, the  teeth  are  certain  to  be  overworked.  Isolated  and  other 
teeth  to  which  are  attached  clasps  of  artificial  dentures  or  too  large 
pieces  of  bridge-work,  are  in  the  majority  of  cases  being  constantly 
overstrained. 

Pathology. — Like  any  other  functional  part  which  is  overworked, 
the  pericementum  is  first  stimulated,  causing  the  vessels  to  dilate. 
Soon  evidences  of  overwork  appear,  and  the  condition  passes  into 
one  of  interstitial  pericementitis;  the  tooth  projects,  and  is  loosened; 
the  overlying  gum  deepens  in  color,  and  e\'idences  of  venous  engorge- 
ment are  common  (interstitial  gingivitis).  The  result  of  the  con- 
dition is  a  softening  and  degeneration  of  the  substance  of  the  peri- 
cementum ;  the  alveolar  wall  is  involved  in  the  degeneration,  and  it 
melts  down — is  resorbed  to  a  greater  or  less  extent.  At  any  stage 
of  the  disturbance  infection  may  occur,  and  the  degeneration  and 
destruction  of  the  pericementum  be  hastened  by  suppuration  or 
other  secondary  degenerations,  establishing  pyorrhea  alveolus. 

The  symptoms,  diagnosis,  and  clinical  history  are  involved  in  the 
description.  The  prognosis  is  the  inevitable  loss  of  the  tooth  if  the 
causes  be  not  removed,  in  which  event  the  prognosis  is  governed  by 
the  extent  to  which  the  degeneration  has  proceeded.  (See  Interstitial 
Gingivitis.)  These  cases  are  often  seen  at  a  time  when  it  is  difficult 
to  say  which  came  first,  the  pyorrhea  or  the  overwork,  but  the  con- 
ditions of  evident  overstrian,  as  when  posterior  occlusion  is  largely 
lost,  and  the  usually  prompt  response  to  surgical  rest  lead  to  inference 
that  overwork  started  the  predisposition  to  pyorrhea. 

The  teeth,  if  in  overocclusion,  should  be  dressed  off  until  properly 


632  NON-SEPTIC  PERICEMENTITIS 

occluded.  Prosthetic  appliances  should  not  be  so  attached  by  clasps 
as  to  unduly  move  the  clasp  teeth,  expecially  buccolingually.  The 
U-clasp  is  worthy  of  consideration  in  this  regard.  The  appliance 
should  support  the  teeth  laterally,  if  possible,  and  occasionally  the 
enclosure  of  the  teeth  by  the  plate  clasps,  with  the  hooks  facing 
each  other  or  a  buccal  embracing  wire  stay,  is  required,  as,  for 
example,  where  four  lower  bicuspids  only  are  retained  for  support 
to  the  plate,  yet  where  they  also  require  support  (Fig.  583).  Where 
incisors  are  loose  yet  teeth  must  be  inserted  on  plates,  the  judicious 
shaping  of  the  natural  and  artificial  teeth  as  so  to  afford  a  restraint  of 
the  natural  ones  against  the  plate  festoon  is  useful.  In  some  cases 
the  festoon  causes  gingivitis  and  tend  to  cause  loosening.  This  may 
be  due  to  an  improper  looseness  of  the  clasps  permitting  a  rise  and 
fall  of  the  plate  or  the  inner  edge  of  the  festoon  requires  trimming. 
No  attempt  is  made,  however,  to  cause  the  artificial  teeth  to  strike 
before  the  natural  teeth,  in  the  hope  of  giving  surgical  rest  to  these 
organs.  Such  attempts  always  result  in  failure,  as  they  cause  injuries 
to  the  tissues  upon  which  the  plate  and  teeth  rest,  which  are  more 
severe  than  the  pericemental  disturbance. 

Properly  adjusted  bridge-work  frequently  does  good  service  in 
these  cases,  provided  the  overoccluding  tooth  or  teeth  be  first  dressed 
down  short  of  occlusion  and  are  given  a  period  of  rest  until  the 
pericementum  recovers.  The  bridge,  if  carefully  planned,  may  be 
made  to  direct  and  control  the  stress  received  by  the  injured  teeth. 
In  this  connection  what  is  termed  the  "overarch  bar"  is  a  valuable 
device.  The  wire  crossing  the  palate  from  one  bridge  to  another  on 
the  opposite  side  automatically  throws  some  of  the  stress  received 
by  the  diseased  teeth  upon  teeth  upon  the  other  side  of  the  arch, 
which  naturally  are  forced  in  an  opposite  direction  during  mastica- 
tion or  at  least  lend  their  support. 

Improperly  occluding  artificial  crowns  should  have  this  fault 
corrected  by  removing  the  excess  of  material  or  by  setting  properly 
made  crowns.  All  crowns  should  have  full  mesial  and  distal  contact, 
as  spaces  permit  a  wedging  of  teeth  and  injury  of  the  interdental 
gum  septum,  as  well  as  allow  movement  to  occur. 

Overfull  fillings  should  be  reduced  to  correct  proportions  and 
shape. 

Surgical  rest  is  the  only  hope  of  saving  the  tooth. 

MALOCCLUSION  OF  THE  TEETH 

Each  tooth  of  a  denture  is  not  only  designed  to  receive  a  definite 
amount  of  force,   but  to  receive  it  in  a  particular   direction    or 


MALOCCLUSION  OF   THE   TEETH  633 

directions;  any  excess  of  this  force,  or  alteration  of  its  direction,  is 
followed  by  abnormal  stimulation  of  the  pericementum  and  by  its 
overstraining.  The  efi'ects  following  a  general  increase  of  stress 
have  been  considered  under  the  previous  heading.  By  malocclusion 
is  here  meant  the  constant  reception  of  stress  by  the  pericementum 
in  directions  to  which  it  is  quite  unaccustomed,  or  are  not  in 
accordance  with  the  anatomical  design  of  the  tooth.  It  is  a  peculiar 
form  of  overuse. 

Causes. — Original  malpositions  of  the  teeth  may  cause  their  faulty 
occlusion.  The  most  prolific  source  of  the  condition  is,  however, 
altered  occlusion  due  to  those  changes  of  position  of  the  teeth  which 
follow  upon  the  loss  of  adjoining  teeth. 

Artificial  crowns,  which  do  not  occlude  in  correspondence  with 
the  other  teeth,  are  a  common  cause.  Improperly  formed  fillings 
are  another  cause. 

The  shifting  of  positions  of  the  teeth,  in  consequence  of  patho- 
logical changes  occurring  in  or  about  the  pericementum,  causes  the 
crowns  of  teeth  to  occlude  improperly. 

Pathology. — The  conditions  established  are  those  of  overuse  in  a 
direction  other  than  direct.  A  typical  example  of  this  condition  is 
that  of  a  lower  second  molar  which  has  gradually  tilted  forward  in 
consequence  of  the  loss  of  the  first  molar;  or  a  central  incisor  which 
has  altered  its  position  in  consequence  of  secondary  formations  in 
or  about  the  pericementum,  a  common  precursor  of  phagedenic 
pericementitis.  Some  portion  of  the  tooth,  an  edge,  which  before 
did  not  occlude  with  an  antagonizing  tooth,  is  brought  into  occlu- 
sion; if  the  occlusion  be  not  unduly  forcible,  no  immediate  degenera- 
tive changes  are  evident.  If  the  occlusion  be  excessive,  the  peri- 
cementum is  not  uniformly  affected,  but  the  greatest  stress  is 
brought  to  bear  upon  some  lateral  aspect  of  the  structure.  It  responds 
in  the  degree  of  the  overwork,  and  inflammation  and  degenerative 
changes  occur,  which,  if  the  active  causes  be  not  removed,  gradually 
spread  to  other  portions  of  the  pericementum,  and  the  phenomena 
noted  in  connection  with  overuse  occur,  but  are  not  so  general  in 
distribution.  The  tooth  becomes  more  movable  in  one  or  more 
directions — i.  e.,  is  loosened;  it  may  develop  some  degree  of  tender- 
ness upon  percussion,  and  the  gum  color  toward  the  affected  side 
deepens,  although  it  may  remain  normal  in  other  parts.  As  in  the 
previous  cases,  infection  may — indeed,  is  likely  to — occur.  In 
some  cases  the  pericementum  may  degenerate  and  be  destroyed 
about  one  root  of  a  multirooted  tooth,  and  remain  about  the  other. 
It  is  to  be  remembered  that  a  less  degree  of  irritation  may  produce 
hypercementosis. 


634  NON-SEPTIC  PERICEMENTITIS 

Pyorrhea  alveolaris  in  any  form  is  a  localized  suppurative  peri- 
cemental inflammation,  with  which  the  pericementum  in  general  or 
even  the  pulp  sympathizes  in  a  general  hyperemia  or  even  inflam- 
mation. Swelling  occurs  and  the  tooth  is  pushed  up  into  malocclu- 
sion. Such  teeth  may  sometimes  be  dressed  off  one  thirty-second 
of  an  inch  before  the  overocclusion  is  relieved.  A  direct  result  of 
the  strain  and  compression  brought  to  bear  upon  apical  tissue  is  the 
production  of  non-septic  pulpitis  with  reflex  pain  and  response  to 
heat  and  cold. 

Diagnosis  and  Treatment. — In  all  malposed  teeth  a  careful  examina- 
tion should  be  made  of  their  mode  of  occlusion.  If  the  tooth  exhibit 
tenderness  and  looseness,  malocclusion  is  almost  a  certainty;  it  only 
remains  to  determine  its  direction. 

The  spots  of  faulty  occlusion  may  be  determined  by  placing  a  strip 
of  carbon  paper  (articulating  paper)  over  the  tips  of  the  antagonizing 
teeth  and  having  the  patient  bite;  the  spots  of  contact  should  then 
be  ground  away  until  the  tooth  is  slightly  short  of  direct  occlusion. 
Fresh  strips  of  paper  are  used,  and  the  jaws  moved  laterally,  as  in 
mastication,  to  note  other  points  of  contact;  these  should  also  be 
ground  away. 

It  suffices  in  some  acute  cases  to  place  a  rubber  dam  or  metal  cap 
guard  upon  a  nearby  tooth  for  a  day  or  two  to  prevent  occlusion 
upon  the  sore  tooth,  which  regains  its  normal  position  in  the  alveolus 
as  the  inflammation  subsides.  The  grinding  and  guarding  may  be 
combined,  judgment  being  required. 

Prognosi&. — If  the  condition  be  not  corrected  every  time  occasion 
requires,  the  degeneration  progresses  until  the  tooth  is  lost. 

If  marginal  infection  have  occurred,  purulent  or  non-purulent 
marginal  pericemental  liquefaction  (pyorrhea  alveolaris)  may  have 
to  be  considered. 

DISUSE  OF  TEETH 

Definition. — By  disuse  of  teeth  is  meant  a  degree  of  usage  less  than 
the  amount,  the  forms,  and  structure  of  the  teeth  and  contiguous 
parts  fit  them  for.  The  disuse  may  be  absolute  or  relative;  teeth 
may  not  occlude  at  all,  owing  to  the  loss  of  antagonists  or  to  extremely 
irregular  positions. 

Partial  Disuse. — Causes  and  Pathology. — If  soft  food  be  used 
instead  of  that  requiring  vigorous  mastication,  or  if  one  tooth  of  a 
side  be  diseased  so  that  that  side  of  the  mouth  is  unused  in  mastica- 
tion, or  if  one  of  the  antagonists  of  a  tooth  be  lost,  the  pericementi  of 
the  teeth  involved  do  not  receive  their  proper  amount  of  exercise, 
and  a  degree  of  atony  ensues. 


DISUSE  OF  TEETH  635 

This  partial  disuse  has  a  more  distinct  relation  to  the  health  of  the 
gum  margin,  which  does  not  receive  a  normal  amount  of  friction 
from  mastication,  and  if  this  be  not  offset,  in  part,  by  prophylaxis, 
marginal  gingivitis  ensues. 

Infection  and  the  formation  of  calculus  increase  the  irritation  to  a 
marginal  gum  inflammation,  which  is  liable  to  run  into  a  pyorrhea 
alveolaris.    This  is  the  real  significance  of  disuse  as  a  cause. 

Diagnosis  and  Prognosis. — A  diagnosis  of  disuse  (relative)  is  usually 
made  out  by  inquiring  as  to  the  food  habit  of  individuals.  It  is 
excessively  common  in  civilized  communities,  particularly  among 
the  well-to-do,  and  is  of  almost  constant  occurrence  in  gourmands. 

Treatment. — Patients  should  have  pointed  out  to  them  the  results 
of  insufficient  mastication,  together  with  the  evils  of  faulty  oral 
hygiene.  Every  effort  should  be  made,  by  the  use  of  constant  pro- 
phylactic measures,  to  forestall  the  occurrence  of  pyorrhea  alveolaris. 
This  and  similar  conditions  are  particularly  to  be  feared  in  the 
degenerative  periods  of  early  and  late  middle  age.  It  is  between 
the  ages  of  thirty  and  fifty  years  that  ill-consequences  are  most 
to  be  feared  from  acquired  debility  of  the  pericementum. 

Absolute  Disuse. — Teeth  which  perform  no  work  directly  in 
mastication,  or  indirectly  by  serving  as  abutments  for  a  bridge-piece, 
may  be  said  to  be  in  a  condition  of  absolute  disuse. 

Results. — A  tooth  or  root  whose  pericementum  receives  no  stimulus 
becomes  relatively  a  foreign  body  to  the  organism.  It  is  a  useless 
part,  and  the  body  attempts  to  cast  it  out.  Perhaps  these  phrases 
are  insufficiently  exact;  however,  a  disused  tooth  is  lost  through  a 
series  of  pathological  changes.  Teeth  which  perform  no  work  may 
be  retained  in  the  mouths  of  young  adults  for  long  periods  without 
marked  changes  occurring  in  their  vital  connections,  but  during  the 
degenerative  period  of  life  they  are  usually  lost  with  a  degree  of 
rapidity  differing  in  individuals. 

The  pericementum  is  irritated  and  sw^ells  slightly,  extruding  the 
tooth.  This  is  a  fairly  rapid  process,  and  occurs  often  after  the 
trimming  of  teeth  for  bridge-work  so  as  to  interfere  with  the  planned 
occlusion,  unless  the  bridge  be  rapidly  made.  If  unopposed,  it 
extends  progressively,  the  neck  being  usually  exposed,  though  some- 
times the  alveolar  process  becomes  developed  and  lies  on  a  lower 
level  as  though  it  had  followed  the  tooth  down.  Usually  the  bifur- 
cation of  a  molar  becomes  exposed,  calculi  form,  and  the  extrusion 
becomes  hastened  by  marginal  gingivitis.  The  tooth  may  be  firm, 
even  though  half  its  root  length  be  exposed,  though  often  it  becomes 
looser  than  normal.  Sometimes  it  strikes  other  teeth  with  a  glancing 
motion.    If  the  teeth  in  Fig.  574  were  closer  this  would  occur,  and 


636  NON-SEPTIC  PERICEMENTITIS 

such  a  process  (malocclusion)  hastens  the  loosening.  The  opposite 
gum  may  be  injured  by  such  a  tooth.  Another  effect  is  the  wedging 
of  food  between  the  teeth  owing  to  a  favoring  entrance,  the  laterally 
unsupported  tooth  wedging  apart  and  then  closing  upon  the  food. 
This  injures  the  gum  septum. 

Finally  the  loosening  or  the  annoyance  compels  the  removal  of 
the  tooth. 

The  danger  of  marginal  infection  is  always  great  in  these  cases. 
Some  degree  of  infection,  no  doubt,  exists  in  all  of  them,  which  serves 
to  explain  the  increased  rapidity  of  the  degenerations. 

Prognosis. — If  teeth  can  be  directly  or  indirectly  brought  into  use, 
so  that  their  pericementi  receive  exercise,  the  cases  may  recover, 
provided  the  atrophic  changes  are  not  very  pronounced;  in  which 
event  the  atrophy  proceeds,  although  more  slowly.    Teeth  crowned 

Fig.  574 


Absolute  disuse  and  elongation  of  an  upper  and  a  lower  molar;  partial  disuse  of  bicuspid;  small 
abscess  ca\'ity  in  the  bone  about  a  root.     (Philadelphia  Dental  College  Museum.) 

or  made  abutments  for  bridges,  after  degenerative  changes  have 
become  established — i.  e.,  when  the  normal  pericementum  has  been 
replaced  by  a  thickened  mass  of  partially  organized  connective  tissue 
— usually  become  progressively  looser;  the  alveolar  atrophy  proceeds 
until  all  attachment  is  lost. 

If  this  principle  be  utilized  early,  the  teeth  may  be  saved.  The 
results  are  better  if  the  teeth  or  roots  be  utilized  before  the  age  of 
thirty  than  at  later  ages. 

Treatment. — The  treatment,  as  might  be  inferred  from  the  fore- 
going statements,  consists  in  bringing  the  teeth  into  use,  if  the 
degeneration  have  not  proceeded  too  far.    In  crowning  for  a  bridge 


FIBROID  DEGENERATION  OF  THE  PERICEMENTUM     637 

pier  it  is  customary  to  shorten  the  crown  to  the  general  occlusal 
level,  though  even  if  a  little  longer  and  not  in  direct  occlusion  the 
tooth  is  brought  into  a  sort  of  mastication  which  is  useful  if  it  does 
not  introduce  an  element  of  malocclusion,  i.  c,  if  the  distal  or  repelling 
strain  upon  its  mesial  slope  is  compensated  for  by  the  mesial  strain 
upon  a  pier  or  piers  more  mesial  to  it  or  upon  a  pontic  tooth,  for 
example,  upon  the  cuspid  of  Fig.  574,  or  pontic  bicuspid  occluding 
with  the  mesial  slope  of  the  lower  first  molar.  In  such  a  case  as  this 
grinding  both  the  upper  and  lower  molar  occlusally  and  the  intro- 
duction of  an  upper  bridge  is  indicated.  Later,  extraction  is  inevit- 
able. The  operation,  when  determined  upon,  should  not  be  delayed, 
for  not  only  are  bacterial  growths  invited  about  the  loosened  tooth, 
but  the  soft  tissues  are  frequently  increased  in  volume,  and  if  extrac- 
tion be  delayed  until  complete  local  atrophy  of  the  alveolar  walls  has 
taken  place,  a  soft  and  spongy  mass  remains,  which  interferes  with  the 
comfortable  wearing  of  prosthetic  appliances  in  the  future. 


FIBROID  DEGENERATION  OF  THE  PERICEMENTUM 

Fibroid  degeneration  of  the  pericementum  is  a  senile  atrophic 
change  occurring  in  teeth,  the  pericementi  of  which  have  run  a 
healthy  life  course,  but  finally  have  become  subject  to  senile  marantic 
constitutional  changes  of  not  clear  nature.  The  condition  thus  first 
defined  by  Hopewell-Smith^  is  further  described  as  found  in  that 
class  of  teeth  of  the  aged  which  have  resorbed  alveolar  margins  and 
exposed  cementum,  but  not  necessarily  subject  to  pyorrhea  alveo- 
laris;  though  traumatic  pericementitis  may  be  present.  In  some 
cases  the  teeth  may  be  firm. 

Pathohistology. — The  chief  characteristics  are  an  increase  in  size 
of  the  fibers  of  the  pericementum,  the  loss  of  their  nuclei,  their 
generally  structureless  character,  and  their  arrangement  in  promi- 
nent bundles  about  large  spaces  (areolae).     (See  Fig.  575.) 

The  fibers  are  firmly  implanted  in  both  bone  and  cementum.  The 
cementum  does  not  become  hyperplastic  (hypercementosed),  but 
the  bone  becomes  osteoporous  and  the  Haversian  canals  contain  a 
shrunken  fibroid  tissue  resembling  that  in  the  pericementum  (Fig. 
576). 

The  gum  tissue  in  the  vicinity  also  undergoes  retrogressive  changes 
in  sympathy,  becomes  less  vascular  and  more  fibroid. 

The  condition  may  persist  without  inflammatory  or  suppurative 

'  Dental  Cosmos,  1904. 


FiQ.  575 


Fibroid  degeneration  of  the  pericementum:    C,  cementum;  A,  alveolus;  F,  fibers  with  decrepit 
nuclei.    Transverse  section.     (Hopewell-Smith.) 

Fig.  576 


A   


—  M 


Fibroid  degeneration  of  the  pericementum:    C,  cementum;   M,  degenerated   pericementum;  A, 
alveolus;  H,  enlarged  (osteoporous)  Haversian  canals.   Transverse^section.   (Hopewell-Smith.) 


ACCIDENTS  TO  TEETH  639 

changes,  though  it  may  act  as  a  cause  of  obscure  neuralgia  or  as  a 
predisposing  cause  to  pyorrhea  alveolaris. 

Hopewell-Smith  points  out  that  the  areolar  spaces  ma^'  admit 
microorganisms  to  deep  parts,  thus  predisposing  to  antral  disease  or, 
possibly,  osteomyelitis. 


ACCIDENTS  TO  TEETH 

Apart  from  fracture  of  the  teeth  by  accident,  several  interesting 
accidental  conditions  invoh'ing  therapeutics  require  consideration. 

Teeth  Driven  into  Alveolar  Process. — Blows,  falls,  etc.,  have 
occasionally  caused  teeth  to  be  driven  forcibly  into  the  jaw.  The 
condition  may  be  complicated  by  fracture,  in  which  case  the  judg- 
ment of  the  operator  must  be  exercised.  If  the  tooth  be  not  frac- 
tured it  may  be  drawn  down  with  forceps  and  ligated  in  place  until 
firm.  The  use  of  zinc  phosphate  upon  the  ligatures,  if  possible  to 
use  it,  renders  them  more  rigid.  If  evidence  of  pulp  death  be  noted 
by  subsequent  test,  or  apical  pericemental  inflammation ,^the  pulp 
should  be  removed. 

Luxation  or  Partial  Dislocation  by  Accident. — Teeth  may  be  par- 
tially knocked  out  and  driven  either  lingually  or  buccally.  The  pulp 
connections  will  be  ruptured,  as  a  rule,  but  after  asepsis  of  the  parts 
by  means  of  antiseptic  sprays  the  teeth  may  be  pressed  into  place, 
and  if  ligated  or  splinted  may  again  become  firm  by  deposition  of 
bone  about  them.  The  pulps  nearly  always  give  evidence  of  death 
so  that  they  should  be  later  replaced  by  canal  fillings. 

Mendel  Joseph  and  Dassonville^  record  experiments  on  dogs 
showing  a  vital  attachment  of  the  pulp  of  an  immediately  replanted 
tooth.    They  used  strictly  aseptic  precautions. 

Occasionally  evidences  of  reattachment  of  pulp  have  been  recorded, - 
even  after  total  displacement.  If  the  accident  result  in  elongation 
of  the  tooth  with  production  of  a  chronically  spongy  pericementum, 
the  operation  of  replantation  should  be  performed. 

Total  Dislocation  of  Teeth  by  Accident. — If  the  accident  result 
in  total  displacement  from  the  mouth,  the  tooth  or  teeth  may  be 
prepared  as  for  replantation  (see  p.  599),  and  under  aseptic  pre- 
cautions replanted  in  their  alveoli.  If  held  by  ligatures  or  splints 
they  w^ill  usually  become  firm. 

Attachment  of  Teeth. — Two  or  more  teeth  may  be  attached  by  the 
intervening  alveolar  process,  fracture  of  which  may  cause  both  teeth 

1  L'Odontologie.    See  Dental  Cosmos,  1906,  p.  1060. 
-  Kirk  and  W.  Trueman. 


640  NON-SEPTIC  PERICEMENTITIS 

to  be  removed  in  extraction.  In  a  few  cases  of  loose  deciduous  teeth 
the  gum  has  been  sufficient  attachment  to  cause  the  removal  of  two 
teeth  at  once. 

In  some  cases  the  tough,  fibrous  nature  of  the  pericementum 
causes  the  alveolar  bone  fractured  by  the  leverage  upon  it  to  remain 
attached  to  the  tooth,  and  Fig.  199  illustrates  teeth  attached  by 
union  of  pericementum  only. 

Attachment  of  the  Alveolar  Process. — Slight  fractures  of  the 
alveolar  plate  are  of  little  consequence,  as  a  rule.  In  some  cases  one 
plate  may  be  fractured,  and  unless  removed  with  the  tooth,  may 
usually  be  pressed  back  into  place.  Reunion  may  be  looked  for  if 
asepsis  be  maintained.  Fractures  of  the  alveolar  process  from 
blows,  kicks,  etc.,  upon  the  jaw  may  become  septic  and  sequestra 
may  form,  necessitating  removal  of  both  bone  and  teeth.  Such 
fractures  should  have  immediate  attention.  Fractures  of  the  max- 
illae should,  of  course,  be  immediately  reduced. 

Hemorrhage  following  Extraction.  —  Even  in  the  absence  of 
hemophilia  postextraction  hemorrhage  may  be  somewhat  severe,  and 
is  well  controlled  by  a  little  tannic  acid  or  powdered  alum  and  thymol 
upon  a  pellet  of  cotton,  or  nosophen  gauze  wet  with  phenolsodique. 

If  necessary  a  linen  compress  should  be  placed  over  it  and  a 
Barton  or  Garretson  bandage  applied.  The  internal  use  of  calcium 
chlorid  or  other  hemostatic  is  indicated  if  the  bleeding  be  continued. 
(See  p.  115.) 

Lacerations. — The  tongue,  floor  of  the  mouth,  etc.,  may  be  lacer- 
ated by  the  careless  use  of  forceps,  and  the  lacerated  parts  should 
be  irrigated  with  antiseptics  and  the  mouth  kept  under  astringent 
antiseptics  while  the  parts  are  healing. 

Postextraction  Alveolitis. — This  has  been  already  discussed. 
(See  p.  604.) 

For  ordinary  transient  pain,  phenol-camphor  with  or  without 
mentho  added  or  equal  parts  of  phenol-sodique  and  laudanum  are 
useful.  ' 


SECTION  VI 

rERlCPLMENTAL  DISEASES  BEGINNING  AT 
THE  GUM  MARGIN 


CHAPTER    XXII 

GINGIVITIS 

The  diseases  which  begin  at  the  gum  margin  are  all  inflammatory, 
and  are  due  to  mechanical,  chemical,  and  infective  local  irritants, 
and  probably  may  be  due  to  overexcitation  of  the  gum  tissues  by 
leukomains  or  other  toxic  products  which  are  formed  intrinsically 
within  the  body  in  malnutritional  processes,  also  to  overexcitation  by 
certain  drugs,  both  of  which  the  gum  is  endeavoring  to  eliminate. 
The  inflammation  resulting  is  termed  gingivitis.  ]\Iany  mechanical 
or  septic  causes  which  produce  pericementitis,  such  as  overuse  or 
apical  abscess,  finally  induce  an  inflammation  in  the  alveolar  bone 
(osteitis),  and  later  an  inflammation  of  the  gingival  tissue.  In 
reverse  order,  inflammations  beginning  in  the  gum,  reach  the  bone, 
and  later  the  pericementum.  It  is  plain  then  that  pericementitis  and 
gingivitis  are  often  associated,  and  at  the  gum  margin  are  almost 
inseparable. 

If  at  any  stage  of  a  gingivitis,  whether  of  mechanical  or  chemical 
primary  causation,  infection  enter  the  inflammation  becomes  septic, 
and  if  pyogenic  bacteria  are  the  infective  agents,  pus  is  formed.  At 
this  juncture  there  is  a  pus  flow  from  beneath  the  gum  margin, 
usually  from  a  pocket  extending  into  the  substance  of  the  perice- 
mentum or  the  location  previously  occupied  by  it  in  the  alveolus,  and 
from  this  fact  it  is  called  pyorrhea  alveolaris.  Some  writers  treat  of 
all  cases  of  gingivitis  as  cases  of  pyorrhea,  advanced  or  incipient,  andin 
view  of  the  fact  that  a  simple  gingivitis  may  become  a  pyorrhea  there 
is  some  justification  from  a  preventive  standpoint;  nevertheless, 
there  are  so  many  phases  of  gingivitis  that  for  purposes  of  discussion 
and  applied  therapeutics  it  is  advisable  to  specify  the  various  forms 
that  may  exist. 
41 


642      PERICEMENTAL  DISEASES  BEGINNING  AT  GUM  MARGIN 

If  confined  to  the  gum  margin  it  is  properly  designated  marginal 
gingivitis;  if  the  inflammatory  elements  (leukocytes  and  exudates) 
have  infiltrated  the  deeper  tissues,  they  are  usually  in  the  connective 
tissues  of  the  part,  and  hence  may  be  called  deeply  seated  gingivitis 
or  interstitial  gingivitis.  If  a  pus  flow  from  the  alveolus  accompany 
the  deeply  seated  gingivitis  the  condition  of  pyorrhea  alveolaris  is 
established. 

With  any  of  these  conditions  an  hypertrophy  or  an  atrophy  may 
be  associated,  which,  on  the  one  hand,  may  result  in  hypercementosis 
or  exostosis  or  thickening  of  gum,  or  on  the  other  in  resorption  of 
gum  or  bone. 

MARGINAL  GINGIVITIS 

Definition. — By  marginal  gingivitis  is  meant  an  inflammation  con- 
fined to  the  margins  of  the  gums  about  the  necks  of  the  teeth. 

Causes.^ — The  causes  of  marginal  gingivitis  are  local  and  general, 
which  may  be  subdivided  into  predisposing  and  exciting.  Both 
local  and  general  causes  may  be  in  action  at  the  same  time. 

Local  Causes. — Marginal  gingivitis  may  be  excited  by  the  pres- 
ence of  food  masses  or  unremoved  collections  about  the  necks  of 
teeth,  their  fermentation  liberating  chemical  products  more  or  less 
irritating.  Miller^  has  shown  that  the  materies  alba  about  the  necks 
of  teeth  may  have  either  an  alkaline  or  acid  reaction,  and  the  gums 
be  inflamed. 

Bacterial  plaques  not  unlike  those  producing  dental  caries  have 
been  shown  by  Miller^  to  be  formed  upon  many  surfaces  of  the  teeth 
even  when  no  ill  results  are  notable.  In  practice  staining  the  teeth 
with  tincture  of  iodin  will  readily  demonstrate  the  presence  of  such 
bacterial  films.  Under  favoring  circumstances  these  no  doubt  pro- 
duce marginal  gum  irritation,  a  fact  proved  by  the  relief  of  such  a 
condition  by  prophylaxis  of  the  teeth — i.  e.,  the  removal  of  the 
plaques. 

Talbot^  has  demonstrated  that  a  deep  pocket  may  normally  exist 
at  the  gum  margin  favoring  the  retention  of  food  and  other  debris. 

Mechanical  causes  produce  direct  irritation;  these  are  deposits  of 
salivary  calculus  resting  upon  the  gum  or  beneath  the  gum  margin; 
fillings  projecting  beyond  cavity  margin;  gum  overlying  cavity 
margins;  bruising  of  the  gum  margin  by  food  crowded  between  teeth 
and  removed  by  toothpicks;  the  fermentation  of  such  crowded 
food  (see  p.  323);  the  mechanical  action  of  toothpicks  or  floss  silk 
improperly  crowded   upon  the  gum  margin;  projecting  edges  of 


1  Dental  Cosmos,  1894.  8  Ibid.,  1902. 

'  Interstitial  Gingivitis. 


f 


MARGINAL  GINGIVITIS  Mo 

artificial  crowns  or  bits  of  eemeiit  used  in  their  cementation;  tooth- 
brush bristles;  fragments  of  toothpicks,  bones,  or  oyster-shells,  etc.; 
rings  of  rubber  or  of  torn  rubber  dam  or  ligatures  left  in  position; 
the  crowding  back  of  a  gum  by  ligation  which  produces  ischemia  for 
hours;  improper  contact  of  the  edges  of  prosthetic  plates  or  appli- 
ances about  the  necks  of  teeth;  injuries  inflicted  by  rubber  dam 
clamps,  wedges,  ligatures,  etc. ;  the  eruption  of  teeth  through  the  gums. 

An  interesting  case  of  recurrent  epileptic  attacks  was  proved  due 
to  a  toothbrush  bristle  forced  into  the  gum.' 

The  action  of  any  of  these  causes  may  be  complicated  through 
the  infection  of  the  mechanically  irritated  part  by  oral  bacteria.  An 
excellent  example  occurred  in  the  editor's  practice.  A  perfect  gum 
margin  was  irritated  by  the  margins  of  a  gutta-percha  cap  used  as  a 
remedy  for  hyperemia  of  the  pulp.  Pyogenic  organisms  produced  a 
marginal  suppuration  which  subsided  upon  removal  of  the  cap. 

Excessive  smoking  and  the  use  of  alcoholic  liquors  produce  local 
irritative  effects,  resulting  in  catarrhal  stomatitis  and  gingivitis. 

Lack  of  exercise  or  brushing  of  the  gums  produces  an  atonic 
condition  of  the  gum  margin,  predisposing  to  gingivitis  of  infective 
character.  Too  persistent  brushing  with  stiff  brushes  may  be  equally 
injurious  by  causing  marginal  irritation. 

A  ^'ariety  of  marginal  gingivitis  exists  under  the  name  of  stomatitis 
ulcerosa;  the  cause  is  clearly  infective,  but  the  exact  bacterium  has 
not  yet  been  recognized.  It  tends  to  rapidly  penetrate  the  peri- 
cemental tissue.  The  gum  margin  has  a  pasty,  sloughing  appearance. 
The  ulceration  is  rapidly  cured  by  a  wash  consisting  of  mercuric 
chlorid  in  hydrogen  dioxid  (1  to  2000).  Syphilitic  chancre  may  begin 
at  the  gum  margin  and  there  is  no  reason  why  aphthae  should  not  be 
so  located  though  usually  elsewhere. 

A  form  of  phagedenic  pericementitis  causing  very  rapid  destruc- 
tion of  the  pericementum  and  loss  of  the  teeth  without  loss  of  alveolar 
wall  has  occasionally  been  noted.  In  one  notable  case  two  upper 
incisors  came  away  three  weeks  after  an  ulceration  appeared  about 
their  gum  margins.  The  patient  wore  the  teeth  for  several  weeks 
in  sifu,  and  could  remove  and  reinsert  them  at  will.  The  alveolar 
walls  were  bare,  but  intact.  There  was  but  little  pain.  The  sockets 
healed  after  ^emo^'al  of  the  teeth  and  the  freshening  of  the  bone. 
The  clinical  features  of  this  case  were  entirely  distinct  from  those 
of  the  phagedenic  condition  recognized  as  phagedenic  pericementitis, 
and  were  more  probably  caused  by  the  so-called  stomatitis  ulcerosa. 

Cook  has  shown  that  stimulant  and  astringent  washes,  if  used 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1910,  p.  594. 


644     PERICEMENTAL  DISEASES  BEGINNING  AT  GUM  MARGIN 

to  excess,  have  a  degenerative  influence  upon  the  gum  margin.  (See 
p.  79.)    A  too  powerful  formaldehyd  wash  has  the  same  effect. 

The  production  of  deeply  seated  gingivitis  by  causes  of  systemic 
or  drug  origin  involves  a  marginal  gingivitis,  but  marginal  gingivitis 
is  not  always  produced  by  local  causes  of  interstitial  gingivitis;  at 
least,  not  at  first. 

Systemic  Causes. — These  are  the  same  as  for  Deeply  Seated 
Gingivitis,  which  see. 

Pathology. — The  pathology  of  marginal  gingivitis  is  that  of  an 
inflammation  located  in  a  peculiar  situation — i.  e.,  in  the  marginal 
gum  tissue — and  tending  to  spread  into  the  deeper  interstitial 
tissues.  (See  Pathology  of  Deeply  Seated  Gingivitis.)  As  shown 
above  when  pyogenic  bacteria  enter,  a  pus  flow  or  pyorrhea  is 
established. 

Symptoms. — The  symptoms  of  marginal  gingivits  depend  upon  the 
cause  and  degree  of  inflammatory  action.  When  mechanical  causes 
are  acting  the  gum  presents  an  inflamed  appearance;  it  is  swollen, 
of  a  bright  red  or  purplish  color,  very  sensitive  to  touch,  and  bleeds 
readily. 

If  a  calculus  rest  against  the  gum,  the  latter  may  present  a  raw, 
chronically  inflamed  surface  in  contact  with  it.  A  ragged,  red,  split 
margin  of  gum  is  often  associated  with  calculus  upon  the  labial 
surfaces  of  lower  incisors,  cuspids,  and  bicuspids,  and  upper  cuspids 
and  bicuspids.  At  times  the  lingual  surfaces  of  the  lower  incisors 
present  such  an  appearance.  If  subgingival  calculus  be  present,  the 
gum  margin,  if  markedly  afi^ected,  appears  loosened,  and  is  of  a  flabby 
appearance  and  purplish  in  color.  In  some  cases  the  gum  margin 
appears  thickened  or  hypertrophied. 

A  bloodshot  appearance — i.  e.,  enlargement  of  terminal  vessels — is 
often  seen  in  gingivitis. 

In  cases  due  to  unhygienic  conditions — i.  e.,  food  collections  or 
vitiated  secretions  about  the  necks  of  teeth — a  raw,  red,  outer 
surface  of  the  gum  margin  is  noted,  particularly  in  young  persons. 

In  stomatitis  ulcerosa  a  yellow,  pasty  ulceration  of  the  gum  mar- 
gins may  occur.  It  is  rodent  in  character,  very  painful,  and  may 
cause  rapid  loss  of  the  pericementum  and  of  the  tooth.  In  gingivitis 
due  to  oral  infection  by  the  coccus  of  gonorrhea  an  intense  gingival 
inflammation,  with  looseness  of  the  teeth,  pyorrhea  alveolaris,  and 
profuse  salivation,  may  occur.^ 

Talbot^  describes   a   greenish   gray  glazed   surface  of  ulcerated 


■  Vines:   British  Journal  of  Dental  Sciences,  1903,  and  Dental  Cosmos,  1903. 
2  Dental  Cosmos,  1905. 


MARGINAL  GINGIVITIS  645 

raw  gum  in  two  cases  of  profuse  interstitial  gingivitis  due  to  the 
gonococcus. 

The  classification  of  the  gingi\'itis  depends  upon  the  cause  and 
progress  of  the  disease. 

Prognosis. — If  the  case  has  run  an  acute  course  and  is  due  to  the 
action  of  mechanical  causes  plus  infection,  recovery  is  usuallj^ 
prompt  upon  the  removal  of  the  cause  and  sterilization  of  the  injured 
part.  In  the  chronic  cases  due  to  the  more  slowly  acting  mechanical 
and  infective  causes  combined — e.  g.,  salivary  calculus  plus  infection 
— much  deeply  seated  gingivitis  may  have  occurred  accompanied  by 
pericemental  and  alveolar  resorption.  This  usually  constitutes  a 
permanent  loss.  If  the  gum  margin  is  in  a  state  of  atony  or  inflam- 
mation as  the  result  of  collections  of  bacteria,  etc.,  upon  the  crevices 
of  the  teeth,  their  condition  may  be  improved  by  frequent  cleansings 
of  the  teeth. 

The  idea  of  systemic  infection  from  the  mouth  is  gaining  such 
headway  that  it  deserves  increased  prominence.  Even  should  its 
influence  be  overestimated,  it  will  serve  as  a  strong  argument  in 
presenting  the  subject  of  oral  prophylaxis  to  patients  who  unfor- 
tunately often  require  the  education  imparted  by  bitter  experience 
in  order  to  fully  grasp  its  importance. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  the  condition  consists  in  removing 
the  source  of  irritation  and  restoring  the  normal  circulation  in  the 
parts.  If  the  source  of  the  disorder  be  in  some  underlying  constitu- 
tional condition,  the  symptoms  may  be  ameliorated,  although  not 
entirely  cured,  by  the  correction  of  the  general  disorder. 

Cases  due  to  mechanical  irritation  are  commonl}^  confined  to  one 
or  several  teeth,  rarely  to  an  entire  denture,  except  cases  continued 
in  consequence  of  deposits  of  scaly  calculi  beneath  the  gum  margin 
or  under  plates.  Foreign  bodies,  such  as  bristles  and  fragments  of 
bone,  should  be  removed.  Projecting  fillings  or  overhanging  crown 
margins  should  be  made  flush  with  the  general  tooth  surface.  Salivary 
calculi  should  be  removed.  When  food  crowds  upon  gum  margins 
between  teeth,  lateral  or  mesiodistal  contacts  should  be  established 
either  by  contouring  filling,  introducing  a  bridge  which  establishes 
such  proximal  contact,  or  in  some  cases  by  wedging  at  some  con- 
venient point  so  as  to  crowd  several  teeth  together,  then  intro- 
ducing a  contour  filhng  or  inlay.  In  some  cases  a  small  bit  of  iridio- 
platinum  w'ire  may  be  embedded  in  one  filling  and  cantilevered 
upon  another. 

Following  this,  perfect  cleansing  of  all  teeth  is  indicated,  this  to 
be  maintained  by  monthly  prophylaxis,  at  least  until  the  case  is 
cured. 


646      PERICEMENTAL  DISEASES  BEGINNING  AT  GUM  MARGIN 

Antiseptic  mouth  washes  should  be  employed  frequently,  no 
matter  what  the  cause.  If  the  gum  tissue  be  soft  and  spongy, 
showing  signs  of  venous  hyperemia,  antiseptic  astringent  mouth 
washes  should  be  freely  used: 

I^ — Zinc,  chlorid gr.  x 

Aq.  menth.  pip f§j — M. 

Increase  as  desired. 

The  above  preparation,  used  in  spray  from  an  atomizer  or  if 
diluted  as  a  wash  several  times  a  day,  is  an  excellent  local  application, 
meeting  both  indications.  Prescriptions  containing  eucalyptus  and 
benzoic  acid  are  excellent: 

I^ — Acid,  benzoic 3  parts 

Tinct.  eucalypti 15  parts 

01.  menth.  pip 1  part 

Alcohol 100  parts 

Saccharin 2  parts — M. 

(Miller.) 

The  above  formula  diluted  one-half  is  agreeable  and  efficient. 
An  alkaline  1  per  cent,  salicylic  acid  wash  is  useful,  not  only  for 
the  gingivitis,  but  any  attendant  fetor  of  breath: 

I^ — Sodii  boratis 3iss 

Acidi  salicylici gr.  xv 

Aquae  menthse  pip f§iij — M. 

The  following  is  astringent  and  antiseptic : 

I^ — Bo>oglycerini, 

Tinct.  kramerise, 

Tinct.  calendulse, 

Alcoholis aa   f5j — M. 

Sig. — One  or  two  tea.spoonfuls  to  a  small  glass  of  water. 

Truman  advises  the  use  of  hydronaphthol  in  an  astringent  vehicle 
as  an  effective  germicide  for  use  by  a  patient : 

I^ — Hydronaphthol gr.  x 

Glycerol f5j 

Alcohol ■.      . fSj 

Aquae  destil f5j — M 

Sig. — Use  as  a  wash  several  times  a  day.  (Pierce.) 

Talbot  recommends  for  gingivitis  the  following: 

I^ — Zinc  iodid 15  grams. 

lodin 25  grams 

Glycerin 50  grams 

Water 10  grams — M. 

(Talbot.i) 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1905,  p.  1312. 


MARGINAL  GINGIVITIS  647 

Apply  on  cotton  wound  on  an  orange-wood  stick  or  metal  appli- 
cator freely  to  all  gum  surfaces,  and  dry  each  after  painting. 

The  following  is  a  5  per  cent,  formaldehyd  solution  which,  diluted, 
can  be  used  as  a  mouth  wash,  having  astringent  and  antiseptic 
qualities.  It  is  also  useful  in  various  strengths  as  a  germicide  for 
root  canals.  A  formula  for  quantity  is  given,  which  may  be  reduced 
in  prescriptions: 

No.  1 

H— Thymol 3iss 

Menthol 3ss 

Oil  of  eucalyptus, 
Oil  of  gaultheria, 
Oil  of  cassia, 

Oil  of  cloves aa    fSiss 

Alcohol f?)ij— M. 

No.  2 

Formaldehyd,  40  per  cent,  sol Oj 

Boric  acid. 

Sodium  biborate aa     5  iij 

Water Oij~M. 

No.  3 
Water  to ga  .  j. 

Make  up  No.  1  first  and  shake  well.  Place  No.  2  in  a  gallon  demi- 
john and  shake  well;  add  No.  1  and  shake  again;  add  No.  3  and 
shake  well.  For  dispensing  this  may  be  filtered;  for  ordinary  use 
this  is  not  necessary.  For  mouth  use  one-half  teaspoonful  is  to  be 
diluted  in  two  ounces  of  water,  making  a  1  to  600  formaldehyd 
solution. 

Equal  parts  of  Listerine  and  ordinary  distillate  of  hamamelis  is  a 
useful  combination.  Glycothymolin  is  a  very  popular  proprietary 
mouth  wash.     Phenol-sodique,  1  to  7  of  water,  is  quite  useful. 

P'or  mercurial  gingivitis  and  stomatitis  the  following  has  been 
rationally  recommended  :^ 

I^ — Tinct.  myrrhse fSiiJ 

Potassii  chloratis 5ss 

Sodii  chloridi 3ij 

Aquae  dist q.  s.  ad  f5viij — M. 

Sig. — Use  as  mouth  wash.     Repeat  every  two  hours. 

All  mouth  washes  require  an  application  of  about  two  minutes' 
duration  at  least  twice  a  day  after  cleansing  the  teeth  in  order  to 
produce  the  best  effects.  As  this  is  somewhat  fatiguing  to  the  oral 
muscles,  several  applications  may  be  made,  one  after  the  other, 
until  the  total  is  attained. 

For  the  restoration  of  gum  tissue  between  molars  and  bicuspids 

'  Medical  Press,  via  Dental  Cosmos. 


648      PERICEMENTAL  DISEASES  BEGINNING  AT  GUM  MARGIN 

L.  Ashley  Faught^  has  recommended  a  few  applications  of  10  per 
cent,  trichloracetic  acid  on  an  orange-wood  stick  every  day  or  two 
until  the  case  is  cured. 


DEEPLY   SEATED    GINGIVITIS^    (INTERSTITIAL  GINGIVITIS, 

TALBOT) 

Definition. — This  may  be  defined  as  an  inflammation  characterized 
by  the  presence  in  the  deep  connective-tissue  elements  of  the  peri- 
cementum and  gum  tissue  of  an  excessive  number  of  leukocytes, 
attracted  thither  by  a  general  or  local  irritation  of  the  tissue 
mentioned. 

Local  Causes. — Any  of  the  local  causes  producing  marginal  gin- 
givitis, if  acting  deeply,  may  produce  a  deepl}^  seated  gingivitis.  In 
addition  to  these,  the  eruption  of  teeth,  the  wedging  of  them,  or 
their  movement  in  orthodontia,  the  overuse,  malocclusion,  or  dis- 
use, in  short,  any  of  the  causes  of  pericementitis,  septic  or  non- 
septic,  if  producing  inflammation  extending  beyond  the  confines  of 
the  pericementum,  are  causes  of  deeply  seated  gingivitis.  Pyorrhea 
alveolaris  is  a  suppurative  deeply  seated  gingivitis  and  pericemen- 
titis combined.  Necrosis  and  ulceration  following  extraction  cause 
gingivitis. 

Systemic  Causes. — Systemic  causes  act  to  produce  a  deeply  seated 
gingivitis.  Drug  or  metal  poisoning,  or  auto-intoxication,  whether 
gastro-intestinal  or  by  leukomains,  and  acute  infectious  diseases, 
are  systemic  causes. 

A  case  of  spontaneous  loss  of  all  but  one  of  the  upper  teeth,  with 
subsequent  complete  alveolar  atrophy  as  the  result  of  trophic 
disturbance  from  peripheral  neuritis  in  a  tabetic  woman,  has  been 
reported  by  Gaucher  and  Dobrovici,^  the  diagnosis  being  confirmed 
by  trophic  disturbance  in  the  foot  followed  by  plantar  perforation. 

It  seems  quite  certain  that  in  conditions  of  general  faulty  metab- 
olism substances  are  generated  in  the  system  or  are  retained  by 
reason  of  faulty  elimination,  and  which,  floating  about  in  the  blood 
stream,  act  as  irritants  to  the  pericementi  and  gum  margins  about 
the  teeth. 

Moreover,  the  pericemental  glands  seem  to  be  eliminating  organs 
which  may  become  overstimulated  and  thus  diseased. 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1905. 

2  The  writer  has  introduced  the  term  to  replace  interstitial  gingivitis,  not  to  multiply  terms,  but 
because  it  indicates  fairly  the  anatomical  situation  (See  p.  641.)  Strictly  speaking,  all  inflam- 
mations are  interstitial. 

3  Ibid.,  p.  1505. 


DEEPLY  SEATED  GINGIVITIS  649 

In  all  general  nutritional  disorders  parts  peripheral  to  the  circu- 
lation are  most  affected,  become  debilitated,  and  tend  to  a  degener- 
ative metamorphosis  of  cells. 

Khein  found,  after  repeated  examinations  of  hospital  patients,  that 
"marginal  gingivitis  was  an  accompaniment  of  typhoid  fever,  tuber- 
culosis, malarial  disorders,  acute  rheumatism,  pleurisy,  pericarditis, 
and  syphilis,  among  the  acute  diseases.  Of  chronic  nutritional  dis- 
eases, it  was  commonly  observed  in  cases  of  gout,  diabetes,  chronic 
rheumatism,  several  forms  of  nephritis,  scurvy,  chlorosis,  anemia, 
leukemia,  and  pregnancy.  Also  in  disorders  of  the  central  nervous 
system  and  following  the  administration  of  mercury,  lead,  and  iodin." 

Rhein  states  that  the  gingivitis  produced  by  any  of  these  diseases 
has  distinctive  features  which  may  even  serve  as  diagnostic  signs  of 
the  nature  of  the  general  malady. 

Talbot's  experiments  in  the  mercurialization  of  dogs  (see  p.  614) 
demonstrate  that  efforts  upon  the  part  of  the  pericementum  to  elimi- 
nate the  bichlorid  of  mercury  result  in  a  non-septic  pericementitis, 
exhibiting  in  its  morbid  anatomy  the  characteristic  round-celled 
infiltration  of  inflammation. 

Black^  has  shown  that  a  gingivitis  produced  by  the  systemic 
administration  of  potassium  iodid  may  be  proved  to  be  caused  by 
its  elimination  by  the  pericemental  glands  by  test  of  the  gingival 
secretion  for  the  iodin  reaction. 

It  is  quite  reasonable  to  suppose  that  irritative  substances  origin- 
ating in  the  body  and  floating  in  the  blood  stream  may  act  in  like 
manner.    This  has  been  termed  auto-intoxication. 

Irritation  resulting  from  the  administration  of  mercury,  lead,  and 
iodin,  or  from  toxic  substances  absorbed  from  the  intestines,  is,  of 
course,  extrinsic  intoxication,  but  acts  in  the  same  manner. 

It  has  been  claimed  by  Hunter,  Herschell,  Goadby,  W.  B.  Keyes, 
D.  D.  Smith,  and  others,  that  the  toxins  formed  by  oral  fermenta- 
tions and  the  septic  infection  of  the  stomach,  intestines,  etc.,  arising 
from  the  mouth  are  competent  to  excite  a  train  of  systemic  dis- 
turbances ending  in  a  general  malnutrition. 

Certain  accomplished  cures  of  such  states  by  constant  oral  pro- 
phylaxis lend  plausibility  if  not  certain  proof  to  this  argument. 
Still,  the  malnutrition,  whatever  its  cause,  oral  or  otherwise,  may 
become  a  predisposition  by  lessening  the  resistance  of  the  soft  parts 
about  the  teeth  to  local  irritants  or  add  the  irritation  due  to  auto- 
intoxication. 

Talbot  claims  that  interstitial  gingivitis  is  largely  due  to  auto- 

'  American  System  of  Dentistry. 


650     PERICEMENTAL  DISEASES  BEGINNING  AT  GUM  MARGIN 

intoxication  due  to  intestinal  fermentation  with  production  of  by- 
products, notably  indol,  which,  when  absorbed,  may  or  may  not  be 
eliminated  through  the  eliminating  organs — liver,  kidneys,  skin,  and 
lungs — and  that  if  these  be  insufficient  to  the  task,  retention  occurs 
and  even  further  disease  of  the  organs  themselves,  especially  the 
kidneys.  Constipation  aggravates  the  condition  if  not  producing 
it  by  retention  of  fecal  matter,  with  which  the  poisons  should  be 
eliminated.  The  overstrain  of  the  kidney  in  the  endeavor  to  take 
up  the  work  of  the  liver  (when  that  is  diseased)  in  elimination,  pro- 
duces renal  inflammation  and  impairment  of  eliminative  function. 

The  blood  is  surcharged  with  accumulated  poisons,  the  heart  and 
arteries  degenerate,  and  cardiac  hypertrophy  and  arteriosclerosis 
are  produced.  Blood  pressure  is  increased  and  end  artery  and  nerve 
degeneration  occur,  in  the  brain,  eye,  alveolar  process,  pulp,  etc., 
being  noticeable  first  in  the  gums.  He  draws  attention  to  the  transi- 
tory nature  of  the  alveolar  process],  and  the  inability  of  the  arteries 
to  expand,  as  in  soft  tissues,  and  that  poisonous  products  settle  in 
the  end  arteries,  and  points  out  that  gingivitis  is  a  natural  result 
of  these  conditions.  The  demonstration  of  infarction  in  the  pulp 
due  to  systemic  conditions,  even  in  the  young,  has  been  made  by 
Hopewell-Smith,  and  also  indicates  end-artery  strain. 

Talbot  regards  indican,  the  product  of  indol,  which  is  found  in  the 
urine,  as  the  excitant  of  gingivitis  in  intestinal  fermentation  (auto- 
intoxication), and  the  general  acidosis,  as  indicated  either  by  an 
excess  of  acidity  in  the  urine  or  a  deficiency  therein,  as  excitant  in 
various  conditions  of  malnutrition. 

The  excess  of  acidity  above  40°  in  the  urine  indicates  excessively 
imperfect  oxidation,  while  defective  acidity  (below  30°)  indicates 
insufficiency  of  renal  elimination.  In  both  cases  systemic  acidosis  is 
the  condition.     (See  p.  484.) 

Diagnosis  of  Systemic  Causes. ^ — The  diagnosis  of  systemic  cause 
by  malnutritional  conditions  involves  almost  the  entire  range  of 
medical  diagnosis,  a  subject  obviously  beyond  the  scope  of  this 
work.  If  local  causes  do  not  explain  the  oral  pathological  condi- 
tion it  is  well  to  refer  the  patient  to  a  competent  medical  diagnos- 
tician for  examination  and  treatment.  Urinalysis  or  salivary  analysis 
may,  however,  be  made  by  either  the  dentist  or  a  specialist  in  that 
work,  and  together  with  symptoms  some  information  may  be  gained. 
Talbot  directs  that  twenty-four-hour  urine  should  be  obtained  and 
the  following  points  looked  for.^     (See  also  page  618.) 

Amount. — This  should  be  about  forty  ounces. 

■  Interstitial  Gingivitis  due  to  Auto-intoxication,  Journal  American  Medical  Association  and 
Dental  Digest,  1900. 


DEEPLY  SEATED  CI  NO  IV  IT  IS 


651 


Specific  Gravity. — If  high,  it  indicates  an  increased  proportion  of 
solids  per  ounce. 

Degree  of  Acidity. — If  above  40°  it  indicates  acidosis  by  imperfect 
oxidation;  if  below  30°  it  indicates  renal  insufficiency  and  retention 
n  blood  of  acid  products. 

Indican. — If  present,  it  always  indicates  intestinal  fermentation. 

Albumin. — Not  of  certain  origin. 

Hyalin  Casts. — If  bloody,  they  indicate  renal  inflammation. 

Compound  Hyalin  and  Coarsely  Granular  Casts  and  Waxy  and  Amyloid 
Casts. — Indicate  changes  in  structure  of  kidney. 

Symptoms. — Headache,  loss  of  appetite,  loss  of  memory,  irrita- 
bility, biliousness,  fatigue,  muscle  soreness,  hypochondriasis,  in- 
somnia, vertigo,  muddy  complexion,  tinnitus  aurium,  general  ner- 
vousness, cold  extremities,  impotence,  leg  cramps,  twitching  of 
muscles,  neurasthenia,  pruritus,  acne,  urticaria,  arteriosclerosis,  gout, 
rheumatism,  Bright's  disease,  diabetes,  uric  acid  diathesis,  nervous 
disorders,  asthma,  anemia,  lethargy,  stupor,  insanity,  etc.,  are 
symptoms  which,  in  part,  may  develop  from  the  auto-intoxication 
by  the  toxins  and  acidosis.     (See  General  Malnutrition.) 

Unnatural  odor  of  the  breath,  armpits,  and  thighs  indicate  an 
effort  of  the  lungs  and  skin  at  elimination.^ 


FiG.'_577j 


Fig.  578 


Fig.  579 


Resorption  of  alveolar  process  due  to  interstitial  gingiviti.s,  cau.sed  by  marginal  irritation  from 
excessive  filling  material.     (Radiographs  by  Price.) 

Pathology  and  Morbid  Anatomy. — The  local  or  systemic  causes 
produce  direct  inflammation;  the  bloodvessels  become  overfull,  and 
waste  products  collected  in  the  end  arteries  produce  local  degener- 
ation, diapedesis  of  leukocytes  into  the  interstitial  submucous  gum 
tissue  occurs,  and  the  spaces  are  filled  with  inflammatory  exudate. 
The  papillee  become  enlarged  and  the  epithelial  layer  undergoes  an 
increase  in  formation  of  cells  (hyperplasia).  The  gum  in  consequence 
of  these  changes  becomes  swollen,  its  color  deepened,  and  it  bleeds 
readilv. 


1  Talbot. 


652      PERICEMENTAL  DISEASES  BEGINNING  AT  GUM  MARGIN 

If  the  process  be  advanced  the  alveolar  process  is  involved. 

After  a  time  the  effects  of  continued  low-grade  inflammation  are 
expressed  in  resorption  of  bone  or  cementum,  or  both,  or  hyper- 
trophy of  bone  or  cementum,  or  both,  as  the  two  processes  may  be 
in  evidence  at  the  same  time. 


Fig.  580 

/^^^"'' 

•«"'ll        •■  -"i^ 

f'M 

t  jto. '                                    :-.fi»iiivniiiJi^ 

^ 

VBHP^ 

Marginal  gingivitis   located  in   septal   tissue  between  upper  second  and  third  molar  (see  text). 
Also  shows  anterior  drifting  of  second  molar,  due  to  extraction  of  first  molar  early  in  life. 


Talbot  describes  several  forms  of  bone  resorption  occurring  in 
interstitial  gingivitis : 

(a)  Lacunar  resorption  carried  on  by  the  osteoclasts  normally 
lying  upon  the  surface  of  the  bone.  Under  irritation  they  increase 
in  number  and  excavate  irregular  bays  in  the  bone  (Howship's 
lacunae).  These  are  then  deepened  and  widened,  destroying  areas 
of  bone.     (See  p.  138.) 

(b)  Perforating  canal  resorption  beginning  in  the  small  canals 
normally  perforating  the  trabeculse  of  bone  in  various  directions  and 
transmitting  the  bloodvessels  from  one  medullary  space  or  Haver- 
sian canal  to  another  (Volkmann's  canals).  The  osteoclasts  widen 
these,  necessarily  reducing  the  substance  of  the  trabeculse  (Fig.  71). 

(c)  Halisteresis  ossium,  beginning  with  a  decalcification  of  masses 
of  the  bone,  the  organic  matrix  being  for  a  time  undisturbed,  but  is 
later  removed.  This  is  a  local  expression  of  what  may  occur  in  other 
bones  of  the  body  in  the  condition  known  as  osteomalacia  (Fig.  74). 

According  to  Talbot  premature  resorption  of  the  alveolar  margins, 
either  local  or  general,  is  due  to  this  process,  called  by  him  alveolar 
osteomalacia,  and  occurs  in  pregnancy  or  senility,  as  a  rule. 

He  states  that  the  decalcified  bones  may  be  recalcified  after  con- 
finement in  pregnancy,  but  is  never  restored  in  senility. 

A  lesser  degree  of  irritation  may  set  the  osteoblasts  at  work  and 
cause  the  building  up  of  the  alveolar  process,  either  as  a  restoration 


DEEPLY  SEATED  GINGIVITIS  653 

of  resorbed  bone  or  as  an  hypertrophy  of  either  the  alveolar  process 
or  the  cementum  of  the  root  (hypercementosis). 

Endarteritis  obliterans  is  a  thickening  of  the  intima  of  an  artery 
or  capillary,  due  to  chronic  irritation,  and  causing  a  lessening  of  the 
lumen  of  the  vessel,  even  to  the  point  of  obliteration  of  the  capillaries. 

The  blood  flow  is  impeded  and  nutrition  of  cells  impaired.  Any 
cause  of  deeply  seated  inflammation  may  produce  it.  In  all  cases 
of  chronic  deeply  seated  gingivitis  the  bloodvessels  are  so  diseased 
(Figs.  581  and  582). 

If  at  any  time  pyogenic  infection  occur  at  the  gum  margin,  the 
purulent  phenomenon  of  pyorrhea  alveolaris  is  produced.  It  is  to 
be  understood  that  deeply  seated  gingivitis  presents  many  of  the 
features  of  pyorrhea  alveolaris  and  that  the  latter  is  a  gingivitis. 
The  conditions  are,  however,  pathologically  separable. 

The  following  is  a  good  example:  A  lady  presented  an  upper 
first  molar  which  had  had  a  pyorrhea  which  had  been  cured  by 
treatment  of  gum  margins  and  the  mesiobuccal  root  amputated. 
There  was  no  longer  any  appreciable  pus  pocket,  but  the  tooth 
overoccluded  one-sixteenth  inch  and  had  tipped  forward.  It  was 
not  supported  mesially  or  distally  by  adjoining  teeth.  It  was  loos- 
ened. The  overocclusion  was  removed  by  grinding,  the  tooth  was 
wedged  against  its  mesial  neighbor,  and  a  distal  amalgam  filling 
contoured  out  to  its  distal  neighbor,  thus  affording  support  in  the 
direction  of  its  movement  in  mastication.  It  became  much  firmer. 
The  writer  considers  this  case  as  presented  for  diagnosis  one  of 
deeply  seated  gingivitis  due  to  malocclusion  and  non-support,  and  not 
a  case  of  pyorrhea.  In  like  manner  each  case  should  be  considered 
on  its  own  symptoms. 

When  food  enters  the  interproximal  space  it  crushes  the  gum 
septum  and  later  depresses  it.  The  inflammation  causes  its  absorp- 
tion as  well  as  that  of  the  bone  septum,  so  as  to  leave  the  buccal  and 
lingual  portion  higher.  This  may  also  be  inflamed  and  further  de- 
pressed. The  pericementi  of  both  teeth  suffer  necrosis  to  the  gum 
level.  The  pocket  generally  finally  suppurates  and  a  lateral  abscess 
may  result  from  this  cause. 

While  this  may  be  classified  with  pyorrhea  alveolaris  it  seems  to 
the  writer  rather  a  distinct  form  of  deeply  seated  gingivitis,  at  least 
until  the  pus  flow  is  established.  The  writer  has  seen  another  form 
of  this  condition  in  which  caries  at  the  linguocervical  aspect  of  two 
molars  premitted  food  to  pack  laterally  (not  from  the  occlusal), 
under  tongue  pressure.  The  decay  proceeded  up  the  sides  of  the 
lingual  and  buccal  root  adjoining,  and  a  large  pocket  formed,  the 
gum  being  stripped  away.    The  wedging  out  of  the  gum,  touching 


654     PERICEMENTAL  DISEASES  BEGINNING  AT  GUM  MARGIN 

with  silver  nitrate  after  cavity  preparation,  filling  with  amalgam, 
and  polishing  reduced  the  pocket  to  a  simple  one.  The  gum  grew 
in  as  far  as  it  could,  and  the  part  remains  relatively  healthy,  without 
pyorrhetic  symptoms.  In  another  part  of  the  same  mouth  pus  was 
found  exuding  from  beneath  the  ulcerated  flap  of  gum  overlying 
a  lower  third  molar.  Otherwise  the  patient's  teeth  exhibited  no 
pyorrhea.  Such  cases  might  be  considered  pyorrhetic  if  pyorrhea  is 
to  include  all  pus  flows  from  the  alveolus,  but  then  we  must  consider 
apical  abscess  such.  The  writer  believes  it  better  to  differentiate 
the  conditions. 


Fig.  581 


Fig.  582 


Fig.  581. — Longitudinal  section  of  gingival  border,  showing  round-cell  inflammation,  due  to 
mercury,  and  extending  to  the  inner  coat  of  the  bloodvessel,  and  also  plasma  mast  cells.  From  a 
dog.     (Talbot.) 

Fig.  582. — Endarteritis  obliterans:  A,  adventitial  E,  elastic  tissue  between  middle  coat  and 
intima;  M,  muscular  coat:  J,  thickened  intima.     fTalbot,  after  Kaufmann.) 


In  another  phase  of  this  condition  in  the  writer's  ,own  mouth  the 
extraction  of  a  lower  third  molar  allowed  the  distal  cusp  of  the 
lower  second  molar  to  wedge  between  the  upper  second  and  third 
molars,  so  that  the  third  molar  was  pushed  distally,  and  shredded 
food  packed  in  simultaneously  causing  extreme  and  annoying  gingi- 
vitis. In  such  a  case  if  grinding  the  cusps  of  the  molars  does  not 
relieve,  only  extraction  or  firm  attachment  of  the  third  and  second 
molar  will  give  relief  (Fig.  580). 

Local  Treatment. — The  treatment  must  be  directed  to  the  removal 
of  the  underlying  cause.  All  local  causes  must  be  removed  and  the 
teeth  put  into  physiological  use  as  far  as  possible.     This  includes 


DEEPLY  SEATED  GINGIVITIS  655 

the  rein()>al  of  causes  of  inalocclusion  or  overuse  of  the  crowding  of 
food  between  teeth,  the  removal  of  local  mechanical  irritants  and 
infective  agents.  The  local  treatment  in  general  rs  that  emj)Ioyed 
for  marginal  gingivitis  or  for  pyorrhea  alveolaris.  (See  p.  045;  also 
Pyorrhea  Alveolaris.) 

Systemic  Treatment. — This,  of  course,  depends  upon  the  systemic 
condition  and  its  causes,  but  if  due  to  torpid  biliary  function  or 
defective  elimination  with  consequent  retention  of  body  products, 
the  restoration  of  the  eliminative  function  should  be  aimed  at.  In 
intestinal  auto-intoxication  impacted  fecal  matter  should  be  removed 
by  repeated  injections,  if  necessary,  of  warm  water,  and  the  bow^els 
be  kept  clear  by  flushing  with  soap  and  water  once  or  twice  a  week. 
The  massage  of  the  abdomen  restores  the  tonicity  of  the  bowels. 
The  bile  function  should  be  restored,  and  the  bile  be  increased  in 
flow  by  calomel  and  soda,  yV  ^o  \  gr.,  every  hour  until  1  grain  is 
taken;  to  be  followed  by  a  saline  laxative  (as  Seidlitz  powder);  or 
podophyllin,  y\^  to  \  gr.,  up  to  ^  gr.,  may  be  given  instead  of  calomel. 

Talbot^  also  uses: 

IJ — Aloin i  gr. 

Strychnin  sulphate         So  Sr. 

Extract  belladonna i  gr. 

Pulv.  ipecac Yij  gr. — M. 

Take  at  bedtime  and  follow  w^ith  a  saline  cathartic  next  morning. 
If  the  stools  remain  unhealthy,  administer  each  two  to  four  hours  2 
to  5  gr.  of  compound  lime,  soda  and  zinc  carbolate  until  the  stools 
are  healthy. 

To  continue  the  stimulation  of  the  liver  administer  bilin  y  ^  to  \  gr. 
four  or  five  times  a  day. 

The  urine  should  be  examined  for  evidence  of  established  disease, 
and  if  this  be  found  the  patient  referred  to  a  general  practitioner. 
(See  General  Malnutrition.)  If  found  only  symptomatic  of  hepatic 
or  renal  insufficiency  and  nutritional  disorder,  the  amount  of  urine 
should  be  increased  to  40  ounces  by  the  drinking  of  3  pints  of  water 
(including  table  beverages)  per  day,  which  will  aid  bow'el  and  renal 
elimination  and  flush  tissues  of  accumulations,  including  retained 
acids.  If  the  urine  be  abnormally  acid  (above  40°)  administer  3-gr. 
tablet  of  lithia,  sodium  bicarbonate,  or  sodium  chlorid  in  a  glass  of 
water  four  times  a  day.  Hot  or  Turkish  baths  keep  the  skin  free 
for  eliminative  function.  Well-apportioned  rest  and  exercise  and 
moderate  eating  of  proper  nutritious  food  are  indicated.  (See  pp.  91 
and  99.)  When  organic  disease  it  present  the  treatment  should  be 
relegated  to  the  .medical  practitioner. 

1  Therapeutics  and  Treatment  of  Interstitial  Ciingivitis,  Dental  Digest,  I'JOO. 


656       PERICEMENTAL  DISEASES  BEGINNING  AT  GUM  MARGIN 


MARGINAL  ATROPHY  OF  THE  GUMS 

In  advanced  age  there  exists  often  a  tendency  of  the  gums  to  shrink 
evenly  away  from  the  enamel,  exposing  the  cementum.  Hopewell- 
Smith  describes  this  as  accompanied  by  fibroid  degeneration  of 
the  pericementum  (which  see),  and  regards  the  latter  as  a  purely 
senile  change. 

It  may  be  noted  upon  the  buccal  side  only  of  a  denture,  and  be  due 
to  vigorous  brushing. 

It  is  also  seen  localized  at  cervices  next  to  a  space  from  which  a 
tooth  has  been  extracted.  In  one  case  the  editor  saw  a  slightly 
hypertrophied  gum  distinctly  overlapping  a  cavity  margin  drawn 
back  one-eight  inch  within  a  month  a§  the  result  of  extraction  of  the 
adjoining  root. 

Fig.  583 


Recession  of  gum  in   senility;  beginning  decalcification  of  cementum;   alveolar  resorption 
after  extraction.     (Philadelphia  Dental  College  Museum.)' 

Apart  from  senile  changes,  and  possibly  even  including  them, 
these  effects  seem  to  be  the  result  of  an  overstimulation  of  the 
gums  resulting  in  atrophy.  It  may  be  that  collections  upon  the 
teeth  are  in  some  degree  responsible.  The  gums  have,  for  the  most 
part,  a  healthy  look,  but  are  in  a  condition  predisposed  to  pyorrhea 
alveolaris. 

Treatment. — If  localized  and  the  restoration  of  the  gum  be  desir- 
able, Harlan's  method  may  be  tried.^    (1)  Cleanse  the  exposed  tooth 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1906,  p.  927,  and  1907,  p.  598. 


MARGINAL  ATROPHY  OF  THE  GUMS  657 

surface  and  slightly  roughen  it  near  the  gum  margin.  (2)  Dissect 
away  the  gum  from  the  root  to  about  one-quarter  inch  in  depth, 
wiping  the  blood  away  carefully  with  mouth  open  until  hemorrhage 
ceases  spontaneously,  or  check  with  adrenalin  solution.  (3)  Make 
three  incisions  into  and  through  the  gum  tissue.  (4)  When  bleeding 
has  almost  ceased  fill  the  cuts  with  dried  zinc  iodid,  allowing  the 
blood  to  liquefy  it  so  that  it  may  be  carried  around  the  gum  margin. 
This  creates  a  profound  irritation,  which  should  not  be  disturbed. 
(5)  The  patient  should  use  a  mild  antacid  antiseptic  wash,  as  of 
sodium  bicarbonate  or  milk  of  magnesia.  (6)  Repeat  three  or  four 
times  at  intervals  of  three  or  four  weeks,  with  cuts  in  a  new  location. 
(7)  Use  silk  or  pure  silver  ligatures  around  the  teeth  under  the 
gum  for  further  irritation.  (8)  To  allay  overirritation  paint  with 
1  part  adrenalin  and  3  parts  compound  tincture  of  iodin  once  in 
three  days. 

Harlan  states  that  a  long  time  may  be  required  in  some  cases.  It 
should  not  be  attempted  over  a  gold  filling,  but  an  unglazed  porcelain 
may  be  covered,  though  no  attachment  will  exist.  The  principle 
involved  is  that  of  coaxing  the  gum  into  adherence  with  the  roughened 
root,  and  the  filling  in  of  the  cut  with  scar  tissue. 

As  a  wash  use : 

^ — Hydronaphthol gr.  xx 

Oil  eucalyptus TH,  x 

Oil  cassia TTl  x 

Alcohol fSiij 

Distilled  water fSxiij — M. 

Sig. — Use  freely  five  or  six  times  daily,  diluted,  if  necesary,  with  more  water. 

The  gums  should  not  be  brushed  for  several  days  after  operating. 
x\void  insoluble  dentifrices.  If  this  treatment  be  considered  inad- 
visable the  appearance  in  a  given  case  may  be  improved  by  the  use 
of  a  pink  porcelain  inlay. 

For  general  recession  due  to  osteomalacia  the  general  acidosis  may 
be  treated. 


42 


CHAPTER    XXIII 

SALIVARY  AND  SERUMAL  CALCULUS 

Calculi  are  more  or  less  hard  concretions  found  in  varying  situa- 
tions and  composed  of  inorganic  and  organic  matter  combined  in  an 
unknown  manner. 

As  related  to  the  teeth,  calculi  arise  from  the  following  recognized 
sources: 

1.  Obviously  from  the  saliva,  and  deposited  in  situations  which 
clearly  indicate  its  source,  salivary  calculus  (or  ptyalogenic  calculus 
— Peirce) . 

2.  From  the  serum  of  the  blood  deposited  at  some  point  along  the 
side  of  the  root  between  the  gum  margin  and  the  apex  of  the  root,  and 
called  serumal  calculus  (Black),  or  sanguinary  calculus  (Ingersoll). 
Of  this  there  are  several  varieties: 

(a)  That  associated  with  a  probable  fermentation  and  an  altered 
secretion  from  the  gum  margin,  and  known  as  subgingival  calculus. 

(6)  That  occurring  in  situations  in  which  a  chronic  pus  flow  is 
found,  whether  apical  or  subgingival,  and  which  may  be  called 
pyogenic  calculus. 

(c)  That  found  upon  the  roots  of  teeth  at  a  point  to  which  saliva 
has  no  access  and  over  which  pus  does  not  flow,  and  which  is  there- 
fore deposited  by  the  lymph  derived  from  the  blood,  and  to  which 
the  appellation  hematogenic  calculus  (Peirce)  is  applicable. 

•In  this  class  Kirk  found  two  varieties  resulting  from  pericemental 
inflammation:  (1)  Subpericemental  deposits,  and  (2)  intraperice- 
mental  deposits.^ 

These  several  names  will  be  adhered  to  in  further  descriptions  as 
having  definite  significance. 


SALIVARY  CALCULUS 

Definition. — Salivary  or  ptyalogenic  calculi  are  hard  formations 
composed  of  salts  of  the  saliva  which  have  been  deposited  or 
precipitated  and  combined  in  an  unknown  manner  with  organic 
substances,  probably  mucin  or  globulin. 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1905. 


HA  LI  VA  R  Y  CA  LC  VL  US 


659 


Fig.  584 


()ccukkp:nce. — They  are  found  upon  tlie  surfaces  of  the  teeth, 
notably  in  situations  opposite  the  mouths  of  the  saUvary  glands,  in 
the  ducts  of  the  muciparous  saHvary  ghmds  (subhngual  and  sul)- 
maxillary),  and  upon  artificial  dentures.  A  photograph  of  a  plate^ 
containing  an  enormous  mass  of  calculus,  the  result  of  seven  years' 
accumulation,  is  shown  in  Fig.  584.  The  teeth  are  occasionally 
buried  in  it.  The  editor  extracted  three  lower  incisors  which  had 
been  wired  together,  and  were  absolutely  covered  from  the  neck  to 
the  apex  l)y  calculus. 

Varieties. — Clinically  two  distinct  varieties  of  salivary  calculus  are 
recognizable:  (1)  The  soft,  friable,  whitish  yellow  deposits  found 
chiefly  upon  the  buccal  surfaces 
of  the  upper  molars  and  upon 
the  lingual  surfaces  of  the  lower 
anterior  teeth;  (2)  dark-colored 
and  hard  deposits  found  more 
frequently  in  the  latter  situation, 
less  frequently  in  the  former. 

Origin  of  Salivary  Calculus. — 
The  origin  of  salivary  calculus 
may  be  studied  from  several 
standpoints:  (1)  The  formation 
of  calculi  in  other  parts  of  the 
body;  (2)  an  analysis  of  saliva 
and  salivary  calculi;  (3)  extra- 
oral  experiments  upon  saliva 
with  a  view  to  the  formation 
of  salivary  calculus  extra-orally; 

(4)   the  changes  observed  clinically  in  salivary  calculus  during  its 
deposition. 

Ziegler-  states  that  all  free  concretions  have  an  organic  basis  or 
nucleus  (inspissated  feces,  vegetable  material,  epithelial  scales, 
mucus,  etc.). 

As  to  cholesterin  gallstones,  he  states  that  if  the  cholesterin  be 
dissolved  out  by  ether,  a  yellowish  organic  matrix  remains  which 
retains  the  form  of  the  stone  and  presents  upon  examination  radiating 
spaces  formerly  occupied  by  the  crystals.  He  describes  the  forma- 
tion of  the  gallstone  as  an  infiltration  or  incrustation  of  degenerated 
organic  matter  (epithelial  scales,  etc.)  with  cholesterin,  bile  pigment, 
etc.,  to  which,  after  a  nucleus  is  formed,  other  portions  are  added  in 
like  manner. 


Salivary  raleulus  attached  to  a  lower  par- 
tial plate  worn  seven  years  without  removal. 
Shows  form  of  sublingual  space.  Practice  of 
Dr.  Ford,  Toulouse,  France.  (Specimen  in 
possession  of  Philadelphia  Academ.y  of  Stoma- 
tology.) 


■  In  posse.ssion  of  Academy  of  Stomatology  of  Philadelphia. 
'  General  Patholog.v. 


660  SALIVARY  AND  SERUMAL  CALCULUS 

Of  urinary  calculi  he  states  that  Ebstein  has  shown  an  organic 
substance  albuminous  in  nature  to  be  left  after  dissolving  out  the 
various  salts. 

In  stratified  calculi  this  stroma  also  shows  stratification.  Such  a 
stroma  may  be  seen  after  decalcification  of  a  bit  of  salivary  calculus. 

Analysis  of  salivary  calculus  shows  it  to  be  composed  of  about  22 
per  cent,  of  water  and  organic  matter  as  the  portion  removable  by 
burning  the  calculus,  and  about  78  per  cent,  inorganic  matter  as  the 
portion  removable  by  decalcification  with  acids. 

Following  are  the  analyses  of  salivary  calculus  by  Stevenson  and 
Schehevetskey,  respectively  •} 

Soft  tartar  Hard  tartar  on 

on  molars.  lower  incisors. 

Water  and  organic  matter     . 21.48  17.51 

Magnesium  phosphate 1.31  1.31 

Calcium  phosphate  with  a  little  carbonate  and  trace  of 

fluorid 77.21  81.18 

100.00  100.00 

Water  and  organic  matter 22 .  07 

Magnesium  phosphate 1.07 

Calcium  phosphate ;      .  67 .  18 

Clacium  carbonate 8.13 

Clacium  fluorid 1 .  55 

100.00 

These  observers  are  practically  agreed  upon  the  substances  present 
in  calculus  as  mainly  calcium  phosphate  with  some  calcium  carbonate, 
calcium  fluorid,  and  magnesium  phosphate  combined  with  organic 
matter. 

Talbot  furnishes  the  following  analysis  of  serumal  calculus  by 
J.  H.  Salisbury  r^ 

Water  and  organic  matter 32.24 

-Magnesium  phosphate 0.98 

Calcium  phosphate 63 .  08 

Calcium  carbonate 3.70 

100.00 

To  these  Kirk^  adds  ammoniomagnesium  phosphate  as  a  product 
of  putrefaction. 

According  to  Mitscherlich,^  parotid  saliva  contains  globulin,  but 
no  mucin,  and  contains  calcium  carbonate;  calcium  phosphate  being 
present  in  but  minute  amount.  The  submaxillary  saliva  contains  a 
large  amount  of  mucin,  which  gives  to  mixed  saliva  its  viscid  nature. 

'Talbot:  Interstitial  Gingivitis.  *  Ibid. 

3  Dental  Cosmos,  1905,  p.  752. 

♦  Halliburton:   Physiological  and  Pathological  Chemistry. 


SALIVARY  CALCULUS  661 

Analyses  of  submaxillary  saliva  and  mixed  saliva  by  Bidder  and 
Schmidt  gave  the  following  results: 

Submaxillary  Saliva 

Water 991.45 

Organic  matter 2.89 


Inorganic  matter  • 


Calcium  clilorid                \ 4.50 

Sodium  chlorid  J 

Calcium  carbonate 

Calcium  phosphate          \ 1.16 

Magnesium  phosphate 

1000.00 

Mixed  Saliva 

Water 995.16 

„          .          ^^          /  Epithelium 1.62 

Organic  matter     ^    „  ,   ui              •         **  t   oa 

[  Soluble  organic  matter 1.J4 

Potassium  sulphocyanid 0.06 

Inorganic  matter  ^    Sodium,  calcium,  and  magnesium  phosphate      .      .      .  0.98 

Sodium  and  potassium  chlorid 0.84 


1000.00 


That  an  error  of  experiment  or  estimation  exists  in  these  analyses 
is  shown  by  the  fact  that  calcium  carbonate  is  not  mentioned  as 
existing  in  mixed  saliva,  while  it  exists  in  submaxillary  saliva;  this  is 
a  physical  impossibility. 

It  is  presumptive,  however,  that  calcium  carbonate  has  not  been 
specially  estimated. 

If  a  bit  of  calculus  be  dried  and  then  burned  at  a  red  heat,  the 
organic  matter  present  will  burn  out,  the  calculus  retaining  its  form. 
If  a  similar  bit  be  subjected  to  dilute  acid  (1  per  cent,  nitric)  the 
inorganic  matter  will  be  removed,  the  calculus  will  float  to  the  top 
of  the  liquid,  and,  after  a  time,  remain  as  a  light  stroma  of  nearly 
the  original  form  of  the  piece. 

If  a  bit  of  calculus  be  transversely  ground,  it  is  seen  under  a  low- 
power  lens  to  present  a  laminated  appearance — i.  e.,  it  has  been 
deposited  in  layers  representing  periods  of  activity.  The  under 
surface  of  the  calculus  shows  a  concentric  formation.  Beneath  the 
mass  a  nidus  of  darker  calculus  may  be  found,  and  if  section  of 
extensive  calculi  be  made  the  greenish  deposits  may  be  seen  scattered 
through  the  mass.  Black  has  noted  the  presence  of  urates  in  nearly 
all  specimens  examined  by  the  murexid  test.  Foreign  bodies  are 
sometimes  entangled  in  the  mass.  Peirce  recorded  a  case  in  which 
a  small  clasp  plate  was  securely  fastened  to  the  teeth,  and  the  patient 
denied  possession  of  such  a  substitute. 

In  some  cases  extensive  salivary  deposits  are  found  associated  with 
highly   offensive   odors — i.  e.,   putrefaction   of  the   organic   matter 


662 


SALIVARY  AND   SERUMAL  CALCULUS 


occurs  as  a  part  of  the  process — indeed,  bacteria  are  constantly 
associated  with  the  mass  and  may  furnish  their  quota  of  the  organic 
matter.  Extraneous  matters,  such  as  tobacco  smoke  or  other  pig- 
ments, cause  discoloration  of  the  mass.  With  data  relative  to  the 
physical  and  chemical  analysis  of  calculi,  the  mode  of  calculus  forma- 
tion may  be  studied.  It  will  be  noted  that  the  necessary  elements 
of  calculus  formation  are  supplied  by  the  saliva  and  food  debris — 
i.  e.,  an  organic  basis  is  furnished  in  which  calcium  salts  may  be 
entangled,  precipitated,  or  chemically  combined. 

If  a  test-tube  be  filled  with  saliva  and  allowed  to  remain  at  rest 
for  several  days,  a  flocculent,  light  yellow  precipitate  will  be  noted 
at  the  bottom  of  the  tube.  If  the  supernatant  fluid  be  drawn  off 
with  a  pipette  and  the  precipitate  be  allowed  to  dry,  it  will  be  found 
possessed  of  the  chief  characteristics  of  calculus — hardness,  friability, 
a  light  yellow  color,  tenacity  of  adherence  to  objects  with  which  it 

is  in  contact,    and    capability  of 
^"^-  ^^^  analysis  into  organic  matter  and 

inorganic  salts. 

The  blood  contains  about  0.8 
per  cent,  of  inorganic  salts,  includ- 
ing those  found  in  salivary  calculi, 
and  a  certain  percentage  of  them 
is  also  found  in  the  blood  corpus- 
cles.    They  probably,  therefore, 
exist  in  body  cells  in  some  pro- 
portion. 
The  salts  are  also  taken  into  the  body  in  the  form  of  food.    Their 
appearance  in  the  various  excretions  and  secretions  of  the  body  is  to 
be  regarded  as  in  all  probability  an  effort  upon  the  part  of  the  system 
to  eliminate  a  superabundance  of  inorganic  material  from  the  body. 
The  ingestion  of  quantities  of  animal  or  vegetable  food  rich  in 
phosphates,  or  the  excessive  liberation  of  the  phosphoric  acid  in  mal- 
nutrition, may  produce  an  excessive  elimination  of  these  in  the  excre- 
tions and  cause  a  tendency  to  the  production  of  calculi  about  thebody. 
This  condition,  known  as  phosphaturia,  is  observed  in  certain  nervous 
diseases,  rachitis,  osteomalacia,  leukemia,  gout,  and  rheumatism,^  in 
which  the  phosphaturia  is  symptomatic  of  an  excessive  katabolism; 
also  in  intestinal  disturbance  resulting  in  imperfect  assimilation  of 
food.     (See  p.  104.) 

Whether  taken  in  as  food  or  liberated  during  metabolism  it  is 
probable,  as  pointed  out  by  Talbot,  that  if  one  excretory  organ  fail 


A,  nidus;  B,  calculus. 


1  Thompson:  Practical  Medicine. 


SALIVARY  CALCULUS  663 

to  perform  its  office  in  full  degree  another  must  take  up  its  work.  For 
this  reason,  in  any  bodily  condition  affecting  elimination  a  super- 
abundance of  inorganic  salts  may  appear  in  the  blood  and  hence 
in  the  saliva,  and,  probably,  in  even  the  secretions  from  the  gingival 
margins. 

That  the  deposit  of  calculus  may  have  some  dependence  upon  the 
superabundance  of  calcium  salts  in  the  saliva  is  evidenced  by  the  fact 
that  in  young  children  but  little  calculus  is  deposited  upon  the  teeth, 
though  the  oral  fermentation  is  not  lacking.  The  salts  are  needed 
in  bone  formation. 

The  Organic  Factor  of  Calculus  Formation. — Black^  has  argued  from 
experiment  that  the  organic  basis  is  probably  a  colloidal  agglutin- 
ating substance  precipitated  from  saliva  in  the  form  of  small  oval 
or  cylindrical  globules,  made  up  of  a  mulberry  mass  of  fine  globules. 
This  substance  he  has  called  "agglutinin."  This  lodges  upon  solid 
objects  and  the  minute  particles  of  inorganic  salts  are  precipitated 
into  this. 

This  substance  is  coagulated  (white)  at  200°  F.,  but  as  freshly 
deposited  is  transparent,  and  has  a  soft,  greasy,  sticky  feel.  Micro- 
organisms multiply  in  it  after  a  time,  but  at  first  it  is  free  from 
them.  Black  has  shown  that  this  deposit  precedes  the  infiltration 
by  the  salts 

Black  regards  this  substance  as  some  product  of  faulty  metab- 
olism, and  as  the  determining  factor  in  calculus  formation  rather 
than  the  presence  of  more  or  less  calcium  salts,  and  believes  this  to 
account  for  fluctuation  in  deposit.  He  found  that  the  use  once  of 
Epsom  salt  as  a  cathartic  would  stop  the  accumulation  of  calculus 
for  from  a  few  days  to  several  weeks,  according  to  the  condition  of 
the  patient.  He  regards  the  condition  as  not  due  to  constipation, 
but  rather  due  to  the  formation  of  a  larger  quantity  of  chyle  than 
can  be  readily  assimilated.  In  his  own  case  he  was  able  to  limit 
calculus  formation  by  reducing  the  intake  of  food  and  thorough 
mastication,  and  to  bring  it  on  at  will  by  partaking  heartily  of  rich 
foods.- 

Exposure  of  the  roots  of  teeth,  especially  the  lower  anterior  ones 
favors  the  deposition  of  calculus,  owing  to  the  difficulty  of  brushing 
the  surfaces. 

^  Items  of  Interest,  June,  1911. 

2  It  is  known  that  about  one-third  of  calcium  and  other  salts  are  eliminated  in  the  intestinal 
secretion.  It  is  therefore  not  certain  from  Black's  experiments  with  Epsom  salt  whether  the 
salts  necessary  for  calculus  formation  are  not  so  eliminated  because  of  the  stimulation  of  secretion 
from  the  surface  of  the  swept  and  stimulated  intestine.  The  fact  that  the  quantity  of  the  chyle 
remained  the  same  during  the  several  weeks  of  lessened  calculus  formation  seems  rather  to 
prove  that  retention  of  some  organic  or  inorganic  factor  is  of  more  importance  than  the  quantity 
of  chyle  formed,     .\gain,  a  lessened  ration  may  reduce  the  quantity  of  the  factors. 


664 


SALIVARY  AND  SERUM AL  CALCULUS 


That  rest  or  relative  quiescence  of  the  saliva  is  favorable  for  the 
formation  of  calculus  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  it  occurs  at  points 
which  are  ordinarily  not  subjected  to  agitation — i.  e.,  buccal  surfaces 
of  upper  molars,  lingual  and  labial  surfaces  of  lower  incisors. 

Adhesive  precipitations  of  newly  formed  and  very  soft  calculus 
form  in  these  latter  situations  in  the  course  of  twenty-four  hours. 
If  not  removed  by  brushing  they  harden  and  thicken.  An  unused 
side  of  a  denture  often  accumulates  calculus  in  greater  degree  than 
the  side  used  for  mastication.  This  does  not  occur,  however,  if  the 
brush  be  used  properly  and  equally  vigorously  upon  both  sides. 


Fig.  586 


Fig.  587 


Unclean  necks  of  teeth,  salivary  calculas,  and 
green  stain.  (Philadelphia  Dental  College 
Museum.) 


A,  maxillary  sinus;    B,  duct  of    Steno;    C, 
parotid  calculus;  E,  submaxillary  gland. 


Burchard  pointed  out  that  irritations  of  various  natures  about 
the  teeth  and  gums  may  by  reflex  action  cause  secretions  of  fluid, 
abnormal  in  quantity  and  quality,  from  both  the  salivary  glands  and 
the  buccal  parietes  (glands  and  gum  margins).  It  is  more  probable, 
however,  that  the  systemic  condition  and  uncleanliness,  together 
with  tooth  form,  is  largely  responsible.  The  editor  has  a  patient 
who  is  abstemious,  eats  moderately,  exercises  indefatigably  in  the 
open  air,  and  drinks  water  freely.    During  the  golf  season,  when  per- 


SALIVARY  CALCULUS 


665 


spiration  is  free,  he  has  somewhat  less  calculus,  but  always  has  some 
at  uncleansed  spots.  This  appears  within  two  weeks  of  prophylaxis. 
An  increase  of  oral  fermentation  is  commonly  associated  with  an 
excess  of  calculus  formation,  but  conditions  of  oral  fermentation  may 
be  seen  in  which  but  little  deposit  occurs.  The  mouths  of  many 
children  are  examples  of  this. 


S.L.S.L 
C,  calculus;  S.  L.  C,  sublingual  ca^^ty;  S.  L.  GL.,  sublingual  gland. 


Fig.  589 


Right  side,  abrasion  from  overuse;  left  side,  deposits  due  to  stagnation. 


Calculi  harden  with  age.  It  is  commonly  noted  that  soft  calculus 
may  be  readily  removed  with  a  brush.  Calculus  deposited  upon 
lower  teeth  within  a  week  or  two  after  a  thorough  cleansing  may  be 
scraped  awaj'  as  a  cheesy  mass;  after  a  much  longer  time  it  comes 


666 


SALIVARY  AND  SERUMAL  CALCULUS 


away  as  a  hard  scale.  In  very  old  deposits  it  may  be  exceedingly 
hard  and  quite  firmly  attached  to  the  teeth. 

These  clinical  observations  confirm  the  deduction  that  an  infiltra- 
tion of  calcium  salts  occurs  in  the  organic  stroma  of  the  calculus 
analogous  to  that  occurring  in  dead  or  degenerative  tissue  throughout 
the  body  (calcareous  infiltration  or  degeneration).  Another  theory 
is  possible — i.  e.,  that  a  firmer  chemical  combination  of  the  organic 
and  inorganic  elements  of  the  calculus  occurs,  density  being  thereby 
increased.  The  organic  basis  is  evidently  a  precipitation  of  a  col- 
loidal material,  probably  mucinous  in  character,  upon  the  teeth,  and 
into  this  the  salts  are  precipitated. 

In  the  analyses  furnished  by  Stevenson  (p.  660)  it  will  be  seen 
that  hardness  is,  in  part  at  least,  due  to  an  increased  proportion  of 
inorganic  elements. 


Fig.  590 


Fig.  591 


Section  of  a  lower  incisor,  with  a  large 
deposit  of  salivary  calculus  impinging  upon 
and  causing  inflammation  of  the  gum. 
(Black.) 


Section  of  an  upper  molar  with  deposit  of 
calculus  on  its  buccal  surface,  causing  inflam- 
mation and  absorption  of  the  gum  and  lower 
border  of  the  peridental  membrane  and  alveo- 
lar wall.     (Black.) 


Theoretically,  subgingival  calculi,  pyogenic  calculi,  and  hemato- 
genic calculi  formed  within  the  unbroken  pericementum  may  derive 
their  organic  agglutinating  material  from  the  secretions  or  necrotic 
tissue  of  the  part,  and  their  inorganic  material  (largely  phosphate  of 
calcium,  carbonate  of  calcium,  and  sodium  biurate)  from  the  serum 
of  the  blood  (serumal  calculus).  In  the  case  of  simple  subgingival 
calculus  the  saliva  may  play  a  part  by  furnishing  the  necessary 
calcium  salts,  as  claimed  by  Peirce,  but  this  does  not  seem  to  be 
absolutely  proved,  nor  would  it  seem  to  be  necessary;  indeed,  in 
certain  cases  of  pyorrhea  pockets  located  about  lower  incisors  in 


SALIVARY   CALCULUS 


667 


which  saHvary  calculus  might  readily  be  deposited,  and  from  which 
both  salivary  and  serumal  calculus  has  been  thoroughly  removed, 
the  serumal  calculus  has  again  collected  in  (juantity,  while  the  sali- 
vary calculus  has  not  l)cen  redej)()sited. 

Pathological  Effects  of  Salivary  Calculus. — In  contact  with  the 
mucous  membrane  a  salivary  calculus  excites  first  marginal  gingivitis, 
and  later  deeply  seated  gingivitis  and  its  effects.  There  is  sometimes 
in  this  stage  the  wavy,  gnawing,  uneasy  sensation,  associated  with 
mild  inflammation,  and  the  pulp  being  reflexly  irritated  the  teeth 
respond  more  readily  to  thermal  stimuli.  The  gum  margin  is 
inflamed,  and  occasionally  pyogenic  organisms  cause  pus  formation. 
The  gum  margin  recedes  and  coincidently  a  resorption  of  the  alveolar 
process  is  produced.  More  calculus  is  deposited  and  the  process 
proceeds  until  much  of  the  alveolar  support  is  lost.  Microorganisms 
no  doubt  aid  in  the  process. 


Fig.  592 


Fig.  S93 


Sectional  illustration  of  a  heavy  deposit 
of  salivary  calculus  on  a  lower  incisor,  with 
partial  destruction  of  the  alveolus  of  the 
tooth.     (Black.) 


Sectional  illustration  of  lower  incisor, 
with  deposit  of  salivary  calculus  less 
heavy  than  that  shown  in  Fig.  590,  but 
with  greater  destruction  of  the  alveolus. 
(Black.) 


The  tooth  is  thus  progressively  loosened,  first  by  inflammation, 
later  by  loss  of  alveolar  process,  moves  about,  and  a  resultant 
mechanical  interstitial  inflammation  of  the  remaining  pericementum 
occurs;  as  a  result  the  membrane  is  thickened  and  the  alveolar 
process  partially  resorbed  (Fig.  590).  Increased  looseness  occurs 
until  the  tooth  drops  out,  unless  mechanically  held  in  place.  As 
soon  as  the  alveolar  loss  is  considerable,  infection  usually  occurs  and 
suppuration  may  be  grafted  upon  the  results  of  mechanical  irritation. 

The  entire  process  may  occupy  but  a  few  years;  in  other  cases 
the  atrophy  of  the  alveolar  walls  is  very  slow.    I  have  recently  seen 


668 


SALIVARY  AND  SERUMAL  CALCULUS 


a  case  like  that  shown  in  Fig.  592  on  about  eight  lower  teeth.    The 
patient  had  not  consulted  a  dentist  for  thirty  years. 


Fig.  595 


George  H.  Cushing's  scalers.  The  forms  and  general  character  of  these  scalers  are 
well  shown.  All  the  instruments  except  No.  6  are  intended  to  be  used  with  the  push 
stroke.  Nos.  1  and  2  are  specially  intended  for  application  to  the  posterior  surfaces 
of  lower  incisors;  they  are  also  admirably  adapted  for  removing  calculus  deposits 
below  the  gum  between  molars  and  bicuspids,  and  from  the  posterior  surfaces  of  the 
last  molars.  No.  2  can  be  passed  quite  to  the  extremity  of  most  roots  with  less  disturb- 
ance to  the  soft  tissues  than  a  thicker  or  more  rigid  instrument  would  cause.  Nos.  3 
and  4  are  for  removing  deposits  at  and  below  the  gum  between  the  teeth,  particularly 
the  lower  front  teeth.  They  can  also  be  easily  used  upon  the  sides  of  the  roots  of  many 
teeth,  being  passed  toward  the  apex  of  the  root  in  a  line  nearly  or  quite  parallel  with 
that  of  the  axes.  No.  5  is  intended  to  be  passed  between  the  lower  front  teeth  at  or 
near  the  gum  and  then  directly  upward,  to  remove  the  deposits  on  the  proximal  sur- 
faces. No.  6  is  a  hoe,  and  is  intended  to  be  passed  quite  to  the  apex  of  the  roots, 
where  a  hoe  is  desired. 


Prognosis. — The  prognosis  of  this  condition 
depends  upon  the  extent  of  alveolar  atrophy.  If 
the  loss  of  support  be  not  so  extensive  as  to  cause 
marked  loosening  of  the  tooth  or  teeth,  the  teeth 
may  be  retained  for  an  indefinite  period  if  they  be 
so  attached  to  neighboring  teeth  as  to  render  them 
firm.  If  left  unsupported,  the  pericementum  is 
certain  to  degenerate,  owing  to  the  increased 
mobility.  The  alveolar  atrophy  will  continue, 
and  probably  infection  of  the  degenerated  perice- 
mentum occur.  Redeposit  is  almost  certain  unless 
all  morbid  conditions  are  removed  and  extraor- 
dinary precautions  be  taken  as  regards  cleanliness, 
which  precautions  are  difficult  to  carry  out  with- 
out the  aid  of  a  dentist. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  may  be  divided  un- 
der three  heads:  removal  of  deposits,  correction 

of  the  effects  of  their  presence,  and  prevention  of  their  recurrence. 

The  sole  means  of  removing  salivary  calculi  should  be  instrumental. 


Flat  scaler 


I 


1 


i 


SALIVARY  CALCULUS 


Fig.  596 


669 

Fig.  597 


-T^^ 


E.  C.  Kirk's  scalers  with  dentate  ends,  designed  to  cut  into  calculus  as 
well  as  maintain  the  course  of  the  scaler  upon  the  root  side. 


Fig.  598 


Fig.  599 


No.  3  Scaler. 


No.  11  Darby- 
Perry  scaler. 


Fig.  601 


Fig.  602 


Fig.  600 


5  6 

Pyorrhea  scalers  Nos. 
5  and  6,  revised  set.  S.  S. 
White  Dental  Mfg.  Co.'s 
Catalogue.  Intended  for 
use  between  teeth  as  well 
as  for  pyorrhea. 


i 


I 


0 


No.  9  Darby-Perry       No.  35  Darby-Perry 
scaler.  excavator 


Burton  Lee  Thorp's 
scalers. 


670 


SALIVARY  AND  SERUMAL  CALCULUS 


It  is  frequently  recommended  that  mineral  or  some  of  the  organic 
acids  be  used  to  soften  the  deposits  or  facilitate  their  removal. 
Anyone  having  seen  a  case  in  which  a  solution  of  sulphuric  acid 
has  been  used  for  this  purpose  needs  no  further  warning  against 
the  application  Acid  solutions  will  certainly  soften  the  deposits, 
but  at  the  same  time  inevitably  cause  a  roughening  of  the  enamel 
of  the  teeth  by  a  solution  of  the  calcium  salts.  To  be  sure,  the 
acid  does  affect  the  calculus  more  than  it  affects  the  enamel,  but 
the  roughened  surfaces  of   the  latter  not  only  invite  widespread 


Fig.  603 


Smith  scalers. 


deposits  of  fermentable  material,  but  render  certain  the  more 
extensive  accumulations  of  calculi  in  the  future.  After  oral  steri- 
lization the  gross  deposits  may  be  removed  by  means  of  large, 
sickle-shaped  scalers,  nearly  all  used  with  a  draw  cut.  The  instru- 
ments should  have  sharp  edges  and  be  introduced  beneath  the 
deposits,  so  that  the  gum  be  not  unnecessarily  wounded.  The  scaling 
should  be  continued  until  every  surface  which  can  be  cleansed  by 
these  instruments  is  perfectly  smooth. 

For  the  approximal  surfaces  of  the  lower  anterior  teeth  the  flat- 
bladed  instruments  should  be  used  with  the  push  cut,  or  that  in 


SALIVARY  CALCULUS  671 

Fig.  595  with  the  draw  cut.    Younger's  pyorrhea  scalers  are  very 
useful  (Fig.  G15). 

For  the  removal  of  associated  subgingival  calculus  not  too  deeply 
placed  beneath  the  gum  a  No.  35  Darby-Perry  excavator  is  of  almost 
universal  utility.  It  is  used  with  the  draw  cut  for  the  most  part.  A 
l)air  of  them  may  be  employed  and  made  safe-sided  by  rounding  one 
edge  if  desired  to  avoid  injury  of  the  gum  margin.  The  back  of  the 
instrument  may  be  sharpened  to  an  edge  for  a  push  cut.  Smith's 
file  scalers  (Fig.  G03)  are  useful  for  rubbing  off  calculus  that  can 
not  be  scaled  off  as  a  flake.  All  of  the  calculi  visible,  and  all  that 
can  be  detected  by  their  roughness,  are  thoroughly  detached  and 
scraped  away  instruments.  The  surfaces  of  the  teeth  are  next 
cleansed  with  pumice  made  into  a  paste  with  glycerin  to  prevent 
spattering,  and  with  a  few  drops  of  hydrogen  dioxid  for  anti- 
sepsis; flavoring  matter  or  cologne  may  be  added.  The  paste  is 
applied  to  the  surfaces  of  the  teeth  with  rubber  cups,  or  Abbott's 
or  Robinson's  brush  wheels,  which  are  used  to  cleanse  the  labial, 


0 


Moose-hide  wheels. 

buccal,  and  such  lingual  faces  of  the  teeth  as  they  will  reach  (Figs. 
605  to  609).  The  gum  should  not  be  injured.  When  using  brush 
wheels  it  is  well  to  apply  the  brush  to  a  point  away  from  the  gum 
and  spread  the  bristles  against  the  tooth  as  it  is  carried  tow'ard  the 
gum.  The  second  brush  in  Fig.  605  is  the  best  for  the  labial  sur- 
face and  lingual  of  bicuspids  and  molars,  and  the  third  one  for  the 
lingual  of  lowTr  incisors.  The  lingual  surfaces  of  upper  and  lower 
incisors  are  cleansed  wdth  moose-hide  wheels  and  wheel  brushes;  a 
finishing  bur^  is  useful  in  the  removal  of  thinly  distributed  hard 
calculi  on  lingual  and  occlusal  surfaces,  especially  in  the  mouths 
of  smokers. 

The  approximal  surfaces  of  the  teeth  are  cleansed  wdth  fine  linen 
tape  or  flat  floss  silk  charged  with  the  pumice  paste.  More  inac- 
cessible parts  require  the  use  of  an  orange-wood  point  mounted  in 
a  Jack  porte-polisher  (Fig.  610).  It  is  advisable  to  repeat  the 
polishing  with  precipitated  chalk  and  the  same  carriers. 

'  Guilford  Lectures. 


672 


SALIVARY  AND  SERUMAL  CALCULUS 


After  cleansing,  the  associated  gingivitis  should  be  reduced  and 
the  parts  kept  sterilized  while  healing  by  means  of  an  antiseptic 
astringent  mouth  wash.     (See  Gingivitis.) 

If  desired,  the  operation  may  be  divided,  the  gross  deposits  and 
subgingival  calculus  being  removed  at  the  first  sitting.  After  a  few 
days'  use  of  the  mouth  wash  the  stains  and  bacterial  plaques  upon 
the  teeth  and  any  overlooked  deposits  may  be  removed.     Tincture 


Fig.   605 


of  iodin  painted  over  the  teeth  brings  the  deeper  stains  of  the 
collection  into  prominence,  as  does  also  a  solution  of  potassium 
permanganate. 

Register  states  that  a  forcible  spray  of  1  per  cent,  hydrogen  dioxid 
used  after  the  application  of  tincture  of  iodin  will  soften  the  stains 
and  render  them  more  readily  removable.  The  iodin  is  also  rather 
germicidal. 

Prophylaxis. — The  smoother  the  surfaces  of  the  teeth  are  made, 
the  longer  the  redeposition  of  calculi  will  be  delayed.  Black  sug- 
gests the  use  of  the  syringe  and  plain  water,  a  forcible  stream  being 
accurately  used  to  wash  away  the  agglutinin.  As  a  means  of 
calculus  prevention  it  should  be  valuable. 

It  is  a  wise  measure  to  cleanse  the  teeth  before  any  long  series  of 
operations  is  undertaken,  and  as  a  prophylactic  measure  in  the 


SUBGINGIVAL  CALCULUS 


673 


combat  with  caries  and  pyorrhea  alveolaris  the  operation  should 
be  frequently  performed.     Indeed,  the  teeth  should  be  cleansed  fre- 


FiG.  608 


Fig.  609 


Fig.  610 


quently,  so  that  it  may  not  be  necessary  to  remove 
actual  salivary  calculus,  except  in  those  cases  in 
which  it  collects  with  abnormal  rapidity.  A  stick 
in  a  metal  handle  for  self-prophylaxis  is  useful  if 
the  patient  will  use  it.  (See  Prophylaxis  of  Caries 
and  of  Pyorrhea  Alveolaris.) 

In  cases  of  very  rapid  recurrence  of  salivary  de- 
posits, evidence  of  an  associated  systemic  condition 
should  be  sought.  In  this  direction  sialosemeiology 
and  urinalysis  may  develop  data  worthy  of  attention. 
The  systemic  condition,  if  recognizable,  should  receive 
appropriate  treatment.  If  not  recognizable,  the 
method  suggested  by  Black  of  reducing  the  quantity 
of  food  and  the  thorough  mastication  of  such  as 
is  taken,  may  be  conjoined  with  the  occasional  use 
of  Epsom  salt,  if  further  needed,  asal  so  suggested. 


SUBGINGIVAL  CALCULUS 


L 


By  subgingival  calculus  is  meant  that  form  of 
deposit  which  occurs  beneath  the  free  gum 
margin     and     between    it    and    the    tooth.    The     jack  porte-poiisher. 


43 


G74 


SALIVARY  AND  SERUMAL  CALCULUS 


deposits  consist  of  small  scales  or  granules,  usually  quite  smooth  and 
much  darker  (olive  green)  than  salivary  calculi  (Fig.  611) 


Fig.  611 


Fig.  612 


A,  subgingival  calculus;  B,  receding  peri- 
cementum.   (Black.) 


Resorption  of  the  septum  of  bone  and  re- 
cession of  the  gum  between  the  central  and 
lateral  incisors,  caused  by  deposits  of  serumal 
calculus  under  the  gingivae.     (Black.) 


Composition. — They  consist  mainly  of  calcium  phosphate  combined 
with  undetermined  organic  substances.    (See  pp.  660  and  668.) 


Fig.  613 


The  alveoli  irreparably  destroyed  by  calcic  inflammation.     (Black.) 

Cause  and  Pathology. — It  is  probable  that  some  degree  of  marginal 
gum  irritation  first  occurs,  though  many  cases  of  an  apparently 
healthy  gum  with  a  scale  of  calculus  beneath  it  are  seen.  Whether 
the  irritation  arises  through  fermentations  about  the  unclean  necks 
of  the  teeth  or  as  the  result  of  an  effort  upon  the  part  of  the  gum 
margin  to  eliminate  waste  products  from  the  system  is  not  absolutely 
certain. 

The  theory  most  tenable  is  that  uncleanliness  exists;  fermentation 
of  the  mixed  marginal  collection  and  altered  gum  secretion  contain- 
ing agglutinin,  occurs,  the  gum  secretion  containing  also  calcium  salts; 
these  are  precipitated  into  the  agglutinic  organic  matter,  forming  a 
calculus.    Fig.  282  shows  a  calculus  on  unerupted  tooth  root  showing 


SUBGINGIVAL  CALCULUS  675 

that  the  blood  contains  the  elements  necessary  for  its  formation 
under  localized  irritation. 

Talbot  has  shown  that  a  natural  pocket  may  exist  at  some  aspect 
of  the  gingival  space  which  is  capable  of  harboring  collections  of 
foreign  material.  The  normal  gum  margin  closely  approximates  the 
tooth  and  has  an  apparent  protective  influence  over  the  portion  it 
covers.  For  some  reason,  such  as  a  lack  of  normal  friction  or  the 
presence  of  microbic  plaques  just  above  it,  the  gum  may  lose  its 
normal  tone  and  the  calculus  deposition  be  favored.  Its  secretion  is 
also  probably  altered  in  quality. 

Effects  and  Symptoms. — The  direct  effects  are  exerted  upon  the  gum 
margin.  The  mechanical  irritation  may  cause  the  gum  and  alveolar 
process  to  undergo  resorption,  the  calculus  being  exposed. 

At  times  this  resorption  is  accompanied  by  evident  marginal 
inflammation,  at  others  the  gum  margin  has  a  normal  color,  but  the 
resorbing  portion  is  sharply  defined  by  a  fine  line  (or  crease)  from 
the  normal  gum  tissue,  especially  at  the  interdental  septum.  In  a 
more  advanced  stage  this  demarked  portion  appears  sunken  or 
atrophied,  and  may  have  a  sort  of  semihyalin  redness  characteristic 
of  the  inflammation.  At  times  the  gum  margin  appears  everted 
(Fig.  612  a).  If  the  deposit  occur  on  only  one  side  of  a  root  the  gum 
resorption  may  be  confined  to  that  side. 

The  lingual  root  of  an  upper  molar  is  often  exposed  for  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  its  length  by  successive  deposits  of  calculi.  The 
same  is  true  in  other  situations,  notably  upon  the  labial  surface  of  a 
lower  incisor.    This  might  be  called  a  form  of  phagedenic  gingivitis. 

If  the  deposit  be  generally  distributed  about  the  neck  of  the  tooth 
the  resorption  is  more  equalized. 

In  some  cases  the  bifurcation  of  roots  may  be  exposed  and  calculi 
deposit  in  that  situation. 

In  some  cases  the  gum  margin  becomes  simply  atonic  or  passively 
congested  and  is  pushed  away  from  the  teeth  by  large  masses  of  the 
calculus,  which  undergo  lateral  accretion.  It  appears  as  a  flabby, 
thickened,  loosened  gum  margin,  which  readily  draws  about  the 
necks  of  the  teeth  if  the  calculus  be  removed.  I  have  noted  this 
in  cases  of  suboxidation  with  bluish  lips,  and  in  renal  insufficiency. 

Finally,  pyogenic  infection  may  occur  about  the  calculus  and  the 
symptoms  or  pyorrhea  alveolaris  be  implanted.  When  this  is  estab- 
lished, calculi  may  be  deposited  farther  up  the  side  of  the  root.  This 
pathology  often  precedes  the  condition  of  pyorrhea  ah'eolaris  which 
may  supervene  if  pyogenic  organisms  enter  the  area. 

Treatment.— The  calculus  should  be  removed  by  means  of  delicate 
scalers  used  with  either  the  push  or  draw  cut,  as  most  convenient, 


G76 


SALIVARY  AND  SERUMAL  CALCULUS 


after  which  astringent  antiseptic  mouth  washes  should  be  prescribed. 
The  subsequent  frequency  of  removal  and  oral  prophylaxis  are  of 
great  importance.    Figs.  614,  615,  and  616  show  convenient  forms 


Fig.  614 


5      6 


9  10  II     IZ  13  14  15 

Younger's  new  set  of  pyorrhea  instruments.    (Revised  by  Dr.  Robert  Good.) 

Fig.  616 


Tompkins'  pyorrhea  scalers. 


also  useful  for  the  deeper  pyorrhea  pockets.  In  most  cases  healing 
is  spontaneous  even  without  medication,  but  often  the  washes  are 
of  advantage.  If  pyorrhea  be  present  on  any  tooth  it  is  to  be  con- 
sidered separately. 


HEMATOGENIC  CALCULUS  G7' 


PYOGENIC  CALCULUS 


Pyogenic  calculus  is  that  form  of  serumal  calculus  which  is  deposited 
at  parts  of  the  tooth  root  over  which  pus  more  or  less  continually 
flows.    Talbot  has  shown  that  pus  is  rich  in  calcium  phosphate. 

In  chronic  apical  abscess  the  root  end  may  become  encrusted  with 
it,  and  in  those  cases  in  which  apical  abscess  discharges  along  the 
pericemental  tract  it  is  common  to  find  over  the  area  fine  granular 
deposits  which  vary  in  color  from  a  light  yellow  to  a  reddish  brown. 

The  same  is  true  of  active  pyorrhea  pockets. 

This  calculus  prevents  the  healthy  apposition  of  the  gum  tissue 
to  the  roots,  probably  because  of  its  irritant  and  infective  nature 
(Figs.  537  and  617). 

Treatment. — All  such  calculi  should  be  removed  by  whatever 
means  possible,  w^hich  may  necessitate  scraping  the  root  end  or 
its  side,  or  even  the  amputation  of  the  apical  end  of  the  root.  In 
some  cases  25  per  cent,  sulphuric  acid  or  Tartasol  may  dissolve 
it.     (See  pp.  597  and  702.) 

HEMATOGENIC  CALCULUS   (Syn.   SANGUINARY  CALCULUS) 

This  form  of  serumal  calculus  occurs  in  the  so-called  gouty  peri- 
cementitis, a  form  of  pericemental  abscess. 

It  may  occur  in  the  absence  of  apical  abscess  or  a  primary  pyorrhea 
alveolaris,  and,  therefore,  at  points  not  acted  upon  by  saliva  or  pus; 
hence  it  must  be  deposited  by  the  blood  through  the  lymph. 

Miller^  has  offered  satisfactory  evidence  of  this  in  a  description  of 
a  case  of  impacted  cuspid  well  embedded  in  the  bone,  and  not  in 
any  way  exposed  to  either  saliva  or  pus  influence  except  that  at  a 
point  over  the  cusp  the  gum  underwent  suppuration  for  a  short  time. 
The  crown  had  undergone  resorption,  showing  local  irritation,  and 
an  olive-green  calculus  had  formed  upon  the  middle  third  of  the 
root.  Cases  of  pericemental  abscess  have  been  noted  opening 
upon  the  gum  face  and  presenting  dark  green  calculi  upon  the 
root  in  that  situation  (Fig.  282).     (See  Pericemental  Abscess.) 

Peirce  found  in  such  deposits  a  proportion  of  sodium  urate  as 
shown  by  the  murexid  test  and  the  cases  associated  with  goutiness 
of  the  patient. 

While  such  deposits  may  not  cause  immediate  irritation,  they  may 
in  time  excite  inflammation  and  necrosis  of  tissue,  resulting  in  a 
discharge  of  glairy  material  representative  of  the  condition.  This 
form  of  dental  disease  will  be  further  discussed. 

>  Dental  Cosmos,  1901. 


CHAPTER    XXIV 

PYORRHEA  ALVEOLARIS 

General  Considerations. — ^The  term  pyorrhea  alveolaris  means  a 
flow  of  pus  from  a  pus  pocket  located  between  the  root  of  the  tooth 
and  the  alveolar  wall  at  the  lateral  aspect  of  the  root.  Apical  and 
lateral  abscess  from  gangrenous  pulp  or  perforation  are  excluded. 
The  latter  may  be  more  or  less  intact  and  either  be  exposed  and 
necrotic  or,  as  more  generally  the  case,  be  still  covered  with  its 
internal  periosteum,  which  is  the  remains  of  the  pericementum.  In 
some  cases  the  bone  has  disappeared  and  the  gum  tissue  forms  the 
outer  covering.  Pyorrhea  alveolaris  always  involves  the  consider- 
ation of  marginal  and  deeply  seated  gingivitis,  but  these  need  not 
necessarily  be  pyorrhea.  It  is  therefore  somewhat  difficult  to  differ- 
entiate from  gingivitis  proper,  as  any  form  of  gingivitis  may  later 
assume  the  characteristics  of  pyorrhea  owing  to  infection. 

In  a  general  way  pyorrhea  alveolaris  may  be  diagnosticated  when 
there  is  a  progressive  gum  pocket  formed  at  the  expense  of  the 
lateral  portion  of  the  pericementum  and  the  tooth  becomes  pro- 
gressively loosened.  Usuallj'  calculi  and  a  pus  flow  are  found,  but 
in  some  cases  neither  are  much  in  evidence. 

The  disease  ceases  spontaneously  with  the  loss  of  the  teeth,  though 
the  alveolar  process  is  further  resorbed  as  after  any  extraction. 

Causes. — It  seems  that  anything  which  may  induce  a  gingivitis 
may  initiate  the  process  when  infection  is  added  of  a  character  that 
will  destroy  the  pericementum  and  produce  the  pocket  at  its  expense. 
Therefore  the  causes  of  gingivitis  are  the  primary  causes  of  pyorrhea 
alveolaris. 

The  gingivitis  itself  is  the  proximate  predisposing  cause  and  the 
specific  infection  is  the  proximate  exciting  cause.  It  is  obvious  that 
these  are  difficult  of  exact  differentiation,  i.  e.,  it  is  difficult  to  say 
when  gingivitis  ceases  to  be  such  and  becomes  a  pyorrhea,  but  when 
the  pocket  is  established  the  case  may  practically  be  called  a  pyor- 
rhea, and  is  treated  as  such.  From  a  prophylactic  standpoint  it  is 
wise  to  remove  all  causes  of  gingivitis  as  it  is  apt  to  lead  to  a  pyorrhea. 
■  The  causes  of  marginal  gingivitis  are  mostly  obvious  and  have 
been  discussed.  (See  p.  642.)  The  causes  of  deeply  seated  gingivitis 
apart  from  pyorrhea  are  more  obscure,  but,  as  stated  in  the  dis- 


GENERAL  CONSIDERATIONS  679 

cussion  (p.  648),  are  either  the  more  deeply  acting  causes  of  marginal 
gingivitis  or  are  due  to  local  or  systemic  causes  which  produce  a 
more  or  less  profound  pericementitis  or  gingivitis  apart  from  the 
alveolar  pockets,  and  which  have  a  tendency  to  cause  inflammatory 
degeneration  of  the  soft  tissues  and  to  produce  a  resorption  of  the 
bony  tissue,  thus  predisposing  the  soft  tissues  to  the  local  action  of 
bacteria,  or  in  other  words,  lessening  their  resistance  to  bacteria. 

Aside  from  inflammatory  conditions  actually  produced  by  sys- 
temic conditions,  the  pericementum  may  be  influenced  by  a  lack  of 
proper  nutrition,  as  in  anemia  or  neurasthenia  or  some  form  of 
systemic  drain,  as  peripheral  nutrition  is  evidently  lessened  in  such 
states,  and  tissues  seem  more  subject  to  infection.  The  opsonic 
index  is  probably  lowered.     (See  p.  57.) 

Investigations  as  to  cause  have  proved  negative  in  so  far  as  the 
determination  of  a  specific  bacterium  is  concerned. 

Galippe  and  Malassez,  Miller,  Black,  Talbot,  Goadby,  Younger, 
Cook,  and  others  have  all  failed  to  definitely  isolate  such  a  specific 
bacterium.  The  closest  approach  to  a  demonstration  yet  made  was 
the  determination  by  Kirk  of  the  presence  of  a  pure  culture  of  the 
Diplococcus  pneumoniae  in  a  few  cases  of  freshly  opened  pericemental 
abscesses  (which  see). 

The  investigations  of  Goadby,  however,  do  not  confirm  this  as  a 
cause  of  pyorrhea  alveolaris  in  general,  but  rather  point  to  the  prob- 
ability that  the  cause  may  be  found  among  other  oral  bacteria, 
possibly  thread  forms  or  some  of  the  blastomycetes.  Talbot  believes 
the  ordinary  pyogenic  cocci  to  be  the  cause  of  the  pus  production. 

Curtis^  believes  obstinate  cases  of  the  disease  to  be  either  caused 
by  or  aggravated  by  tertiary  syphilis.  He  bases  his  belief  upon 
observations  of  fresh  blood  which,  he  states,  upon  the  authority  of 
Dr.  Robert  L.  Watkins  (New  York  City),  contains  syphilitic  spores. 

"Egg-skin"  eschar  is  the  oral  pathognomonic  sign. 

According  to  Curtis,  the  local  infection  in  nearly  all  cases  is  of 
so  mixed  a  type  as  to  render  it  at  present  uncertain  whether  the 
liquefaction  of  the  peridental  membrane,  etc.,  is  due  directly  to 
the  pyogenic  organisms  present  in  the  pus  formed  or  to  other  oral 
bacteria  of  uncultivable  type  which  may  initiate  the  process,  after 
which  pyogenic  organisms  may  enter  and  form  pus.  The  fact  that 
pyorrhea  alveolaris  is  seldom  found  fully  established  before  thirty 
years  of  age,  but  is  common  after  that  period,  and  that  it  occa- 
sionally occurs  in  youth  or  even  in  childhood  associated  with  some 
pronounced  systemic  state  or  disease,  strongly  indicates  a  systemic 
factor  in  the  more  pronounced  forms  of  the  disease. 

I  Dental  Cosmos,  1901. 


680  PYORRHEA  ALV SOLARIS 

The  type  of  teeth  affected  is  usually  that  of  the  narrow-necked 
variety  in  which  the  angle  formed  by  the  gum  and  tooth  is  less 
accessible  to  the  brush  and  friction  of  mastication.  This  leads  both 
to  formations  of  calculus  and  to  the  retention  of  infective  material. 

In  brief,  it  may  be  stated  that  the  infectious  nature  of  pyorrhea 
alveolaris  is  becoming  more  established,  though  not  yet  fully  scien- 
tifically proved,  and  that  the  causes  rec^uire  a  local  predisposition  for 
their  action.  This  local  predisposition  may  be  the  outcome  of  local 
sources  of  irritation  and  degeneration  alone  or  be  produced  by  waste 
products  floating  in  the  blood  stream,  etc.,  or  by  a  lack  of  nutrition 
due  to  general  causes. 

Clinically,  fully  established  cases  of  pyorrhea  alveolaris  may  be 
divided  into  three  classes:  (1)  Cases  associated  with  a  primary  gin- 
givitis and  with  the  formation  of  hard,  scaly,  dark,  annular  calculi 
beneath  the  gum  margin  (subgingival  calculus),  the  pockets  not 
usually  extending  far  beyond  the  deposits;  (2)  cases  beginning  with  a 
marginal  gingivitis  and  apparently  not  dependent  upon  the  associa- 
tion with  calculus,  though  frequently  complicated  by  it;  (3)  cases 
having  an  apparent  origin  at  some  point  between  the  gingival  margin 
and  the  apical  tissue,  the  gingival  margin  at  first  being  apparently 
intact. 

It  is  probable  that  the  infecting  agents  in  these  types  differ  in 
their  nature,  or  that  in  the  event  that  they  may  be  proved  to  have  a 
similar  origin  the  tissues  react  differently  to  them,  either  partially 
resisting  them,  forming  calculus  as  a  result  of  the  irritation,  or 
rapidly  giving  way  to  them,  permitting  a  deep  action. 

In  the  absence  of  known  causes  the  conditions  may  be  divided 
according  to  their  clinical  expressions. 

In  the  consideration  a  pus  flow  due  to  apical  abscess,  lateral  abscess 
upon  a  perforation,  or  that  due  to  obvious  salivary  calculus  (for 
these,  see  under  proper  headings),  also  simple  gingivitis  or  deeply 
seated  gingivitis,  not  resulting  in  the  clinical  feature  of  pyorrhea  as 
defined,  are  excluded. 


PYORRHEA  ALVEOLARIS  BEGINNING  AS  A  MARGINAL  GINGI- 
VITIS AND  ASSOCIATED  WITH  SUBGINGIVAL  CALCULUS 

Causes. — The  causes  of  this  condition  are  those  predisposing  and 
exciting  causes  of  marginal  gingivitis  which  have  been  described. 
(See  p.  642.)  Several  local  factors  have  to  be  considered  in  this 
connection:  (1)  The  marginal  infection;  (2)  the  irritative  effects  of 
any  calculus  that  may  be  formed;  (3)  the  deep  infection  by  pyogenic 


PYORRHEA   ALVEOLARIS  AS  A    MARGINAL  GINGIVITIS     OSl 

organisms;  (4)  the  modification  of  the  progress  of  the  disease  by  the 
attendant  loosening  of  the  teeth  and  deatli  of  the  ]nilp. 

Clinical  History,  Pathology,  and  Symptoms. — There  is  usually  an 
unclean  condition  of  the  teeth;  infection  exists  either  in  tenacious 
films  of  bacteria  attached  to  the  necks  of  the  teeth  and  requiring 
reasonably  close  observation  for  their  detection,  or  in  masses  of 
detritus  readily  noticeable.  Subgingival  calculus  is  obviously  pres- 
ent (Fig.  G21). 

Fig.  617 


Seriimal  calculus,  showing  stalactite-like  formations.     (Talbot.) 


The  gum  margin  may  be  atrophied  or  be  inflamed ;  or  it  may  have 
a  fairly  normal  appearance.  When  the  gum  margin  is  pressed  upon, 
pus  may  be  squeezed  out  in  variable  quantity. 

It  is  assumed  that  the  local  infection  brings  about  the  deposit  of 
agglutinin  (see  p.  663)  at  a  point  beneath  the  gum  margin,  and 
that  formation  of  subgingival  calculus  occurs,  followed  by  pyogenic 
infection  and  pus  formation. 

The  gum  may  now  be  resorbed  either  with  apparently  normal 
bulk  or  the  margin  may  be  everted  and  thickened  into  a  cord-like 
margin  which  is  either  of  normal  color  or  inflamed;  the  shrinkage 
of  the  gum  causes  the  exposure  of  the  calculus  (Fig.  611).  In  this 
manner  the  bifurcations  of  the  roots  may  be  uncovered  and  calculi 
be  deposited  in  that  situation.     The  resorption  may  only  be  con- 


682 


PYORRHEA  ALV SOLARIS 


Fig.  618 


fined  to  one  side  of  a  root  and  be  the  result  of  several  successive 
depositions  which  may  remain  when  the  gum  recedes,  or  which  may 
be  removed  and  again  be  deposited.  In  this  way  the  side  of  the  root 
may  be  exposed  nearly  to,  and  in  some  cases  quite  to,  the  apex. 

The  destruction  of  the  tissues  may 
assume  several  forms.  In  certain 
mouths,  especially  in  neurasthenic  and 
anemic  patients,  a  viscous  material 
may  accumulate  upon  the  necks  of 
teeth  or  exposed  roots;  and  the  peri- 
cementum, bone,  and  gum  may 
rapidly  inflame  and  disappear,  leav- 
ing the  roots  exposed  to  collect 
more  of  the  material. 

The     resorption    may     occur    as 
shown  in  Fig.  619,  or  the  gum  may 
be  split  and  the  destruction  follow  the  length  of  the  root  on  one  side 
only  until  even  the  apex  is  reached  (Fig.  618). 

The  tooth  may  be  loose  or  firmly  attached  by  the  remainder  of  the 
pericementum.  This  is  especially  true  of  those  teeth  having  very 
narrow  necks,  in  which  the  roots  describe  a  prominent  curve  just 
above  the  cervix. 

Fig.  619 


Destruction  of  pericementum,  bone,  and 
gum  over  buccal  root  of  a  molar. 


Resorption  of  gum  over  palatal  root  of  an  upper  molar,  associated  with  but  trifling  deposit  of 
calculus,  but  the  root  is  covered  with  a  viscid  deposit.  Age  thirty-two  years.  Patient  neuras- 
thenic Ejnd  of  tuberculous  diathesis.  Condition  in  1904.  Tooth  lost  in  1907.  In  1912  several 
other  teeth  were  lost. 


Fig.  619  is  a  model  of  the  lingual  side  of  the  right  upper  teeth 
undergoing  the  former  process.  The  left  upper  posterior  teeth  and 
the  lower  incisors  have  also  been  lingually  affected.  There  is  but 
little  calculus,  but  the  viscous  material  is  quite  abundant,  black 
stain  is  present,  and  dental  caries  is  rife.  The  patient  has  been 
anemic  and  neurasthenic  for  years,  and  one  lower  molar  has  been 
removed  for  resorption  of  the  apices  of  the  roots  associated  with 
looseness. 


PYORRHEA   ALVEOLARIS  AS  A   MARGINAL  GINGIVITIS     G83 

In  such  cases  the  pus  pockets  may  not  be  deep  and  the  pus  formed 
may  readily  be  washed  away.  Such  cases  present  some  resemblance 
to  simple  gingivitis  and  might  be  so  classed  if  there  be  no  pus  flow. 
Instead  of  this  the  pericementum  may  be  progressively  destroyed 
by  suppuration  and  the  gum  margin  remain  practically  intact.  In 
these  cases  the  pus  flow  is  more  abundant,  a  deep  pocket  is  formed, 
extending  a  third  or  even  two-thirds  or  more  of  the  length  of  the 
root  (Fig.  621).  It  is  common  to  find  beads  of  calculus  deposited 
along  the  side  of  the  root  and  presumably  of  serumal  origin.  (See  p. 
658.)  The  cementum  being  deprived  of  nutrition,  its  minute  nutri- 
tional openings  or  openings  containing  fibers  may  harbor  bacteria. 

These  inflammatory  disturbances  necessarily  involve  deeply 
seated  gingivitis  or  infiltration  of  leukocytes  into  the  interstitial 
connective  tissue  of  the  gum.  As  pointed  out  by  Talbot,  resorption 
of  various  kinds  and  at  times  constructive  changes  accompany  such 
an  inflammation.  (See  Deeply  Seated  Gingivitis.)  Endarteritis  is 
also  noted.  These  results  are  noted  in  connection  with  this  variety 
of  pyorrhea  alveolaris.  In  the  early  stages  of  the  disease  the  probe 
usually  fails  to  discover  uncovered  alveolar  bone,  although  it  may  do 
so.  If  not  uncovered  its  loss  is  due  to  resorption;  if,  how^ever,  necrotic 
and  bare  alveolar  bone  be  found,  it  is  undergoing  a  molecular  necrosis 
under  the  influence  of  the  pyogenic  organisms. 

In  some  cases  the  pericementum  may  be  destroyed  at  the  cervical 
third  of  the  root,  the  alveolar  process  may  be  resorbed  on  its  inner 
surface,  and  an  accompanying  constructive  irritation  may  cause  the 
deposition  of  bone  upon  the  outer  aspect  of  the  alveolar  process;  the 
gum  margin  is  also  thickened  by  cell  proliferation.  The  condition 
imparts  the  appearance  of  hypertrophy  of  the  gum  and  gum  margin 
(Fig.  621).  The  inflammation  of  the  pericementum  may  become 
general  and  the  attendant  swelling  forces  the  tooth  into  malocclusion 
wdth  its  antagonist.  The  mechanical  factor  is  now  introduced  and 
the  extrusion  increases  gradually  or  even  rapidly.  Sometimes  such 
teeth  can  be  ground  one-eighth  inch  before  removing  the  excess 
occlusion.    Such  constant  pounding  is  deadly. 

When  about  one-half  or  more  of  the  root  has  been  stripped  of 
pericementum  and  deprived  of  alveolar  support,  loosensss  and 
extrusion  of  the  tooth  become  marked. 

The  advance  of  the  disease  now  becomes  more  rapid;  the  undue 
mobility  and  malocclusion  of  the  tooth  excite  an  inflammatory 
reaction  beyond  the  directly  infected  part,  so  that  soreness  and 
looseness  are  further  increased.  Extraction  at  the  later  stages 
reveals  a  thickened  apical  pericementum  as  the  sole  attachment  to 
the  bone.    After  the  looseness  of  the  tooth  becomes  marked,  the  pulp 


684 


PYORRHEA  ALVEOLARIS 

\ 


of  the  tooth  undergoes  hyperemic  changes,  reacts  to  thermal  stimuli, 
and  is  often  killed  by  strangulation  of  its  vascular  supply.  Pulp 
nodules  often  are  formed  before  its  death.  Reflex  symptoms  may 
occur  at  this  stage  when  the  pus  pocket  approaches  the  apex.     (See 


Fig.  620 


Fig.  621 


Pyorrhea  pockets.  Mesial  root  of 
molar  largely  denuded.  Treated  by 
amputation.     (Price.) 


Section  of  an  upper  incisor,  showing  at  a,  a, 
a  deposit  of  serumal  calculus  within  the  free 
margin  of  the  gum.     (Black.) 


Pulpitis.)  Infection  of  the  dead  or  partially  dead  pulp  readily 
occurs,  and  septic  apical  pericementitis  arises.  The  symptoms  of 
the  latter  condition  are  modified,  according  to  the  facility  with  which 


Fig.  622 


Fig.  623 


Section  of  an  upper  incisor,  showing  de- 
struction of  the  peridental  membrane  and 
eversion  of  the  alveolar  wall,  with  thick- 
ening of  its  border:  a,  serumal  calculus;  b, 
thickened  border  of  the  alveolar  wall;  c, 
pus  cavity.    (Black.) 


Section  of  an  upper  molar  with  its  alveolus, 
etc.,  showing  deposit  of  serumal  calculus  under 
the  gingival  borders:  a,  a,  serumal  calculus. 
(Black.) 


the  pus  finds  vent  along  the  pyorrhea  pocket.  In  some  cases  an 
abscess  becomes  associated.  The  disease  proceeds  until  the  affected 
tooth  or  teeth  are  cast  out,  the  alveolar  walls  having  been  largely 
absorbed,  and  the  pericementum  largely  destroyed.     The  remainder 


PYORRHEA   A LV SOLARIS  AS  A   MARGINAL  GINGIVITIS     685 

of  it  is  usually  swollen.  The  disease  ceases  with  the  loss  of  the 
affected  teeth,  leaving  a  flattened  or  absent  alveolar  ridge  covered 
by  a  mass  of  more  or  less  spong}'  gum  tissue. 

The  duration  of  this  disease  may  be  months  or  years,  and  a 
number  of  teeth  may  be  affected  at  once.  A  general  subcatarrhal 
condition  of  the  mouth  usually  attends  the  disease.  The  presence 
of  pus  often  imparts  to  the  breath  a  peculiar,  sweetishly  fetid  odor 
which  may,  however,  be  masked  by  an  odor  of  putrefaction  (pigstye 
or  sewer-gas  odor) . 

Fig.  624 


n 

I^JP^H 

^^^^K^v'^^^l 

i^feiki.          ^^^^^^^1^ 

H 

^^^^Rk^;  VH^JHb  ^                 iKL 

■IK 

^KttH^P^;^.    -jmS 

IHS 

m^jfti 

Inflammation  of  pericementum,  endarteritis  obliterans,  Talbot's  case.     (Latham.) 


It  is  often  the  case  that  the  shifting  of  pyorrhetic  teeth  permits 
the  other  teeth  to  move  into  a  position  in  which  they  malocclude. 
This  brings  in  a  mechanical  cause  of  interstitial  gingivitis,  which, 
with  the  existing  infection,  brings  other  teeth  into  the  pyorrhetic 
state. 

Associated  Abscess. — In  a  number  of  cases  of  deep  pyorrhea  pockets 
an  infection  of  the  alveolar  structure,  or,  at  least,  of  the  tissue 
remaining  over  the  deepest  portion  of  the  pocket,  may  occur,  and  an 
abscess  form  which  discharges  by  a  fistula  through  the  labial  or 


686 


PYORRHEA  ALV SOLARIS 


lingual  aspect  of  the  gum.  It  is  to  be  regarded  as  an  abscess  secondary 
to  a  primary  pyorrhea  alveolaris.  The  passage  of  a  silver  probe 
through  the  two  sinuses  at  once  will  reveal  this  (Fig.  625).  In  a 
tooth  treated  for  apical  abscess  such  a  pyorrhea  pocket  existed,  and 
doubt  arose  as  to  the  cause.  The  fact  that  it  was  near  the  gum 
margin  and  the  probe  could  not  be  passed  into  a  sinus  leading  to  a 
root-end  was  considered  evidence  of  abscess  secondary  to  pyorrhea. 
Evacuation  and  antisepsis  were  sufficient  to  effect  a  cure. 

In  one  case  of  pyorrhea  alveolaris  of  the  variety  under  considera- 
tion the  pocket  existed  upon  the  mesiobuccal  aspect  of  a  right  lower 
third  molar.  The  second  and  first  molars  were  absent.  The  pus 
dissected  away  the  periosteum  of  the  bone  and  formed  a  large  abscess 
over  the  entire  area  of  bone  between  the  third  molar  and  second 
bicuspid.     After  evacuation  of  the  abscess,  the  probe  was  passed 


Fig.  625 


Fig.  626 


Gingival  abscess  secondary  to 
pyorrhea  alveolaris:  C,  calculus  in 
pyorrhea  pocket;  F,  fistula  leading 
to  pocket  PP;  B,  bone  on  lingual 
side 


Diagram  of  abscess  secondary  to  pyorrhea  alveo- 
laris (see  text):  PP,  pyorrhea  pocket;  AC,  cavity 
of  secondary  abscess:  B,  bone. 


through  it  to  the  pyorrhea  pocket  (Fig.  626).  Another  expression 
occasionally  occurs.  The  infection  travels  via  the  natural  channels 
in  the  pericementum  from  the  pyorrhea  pocket  to  a  deeper  point 
in  the  pericementum  (for  example,  to  a  point  one-quarter  inch  or 
more  below)  producing  what  is  called  a  pericemental  abscess.  The 
tissue  between  may  seem  unbroken  and  the  fistula  may  seem  like 
that  associated  with  chronic  apical  abscess.  Fig.  627  will  illustrate 
the  manner  in  which  this  may  occur.  In  a  recent  case  of  a  pyorrhea 
pocket  on  a  lower  lateral,  transillumination  showed  a  bright  red 
spot  at  a  point  a  quarter-inch  below  the  pocket,  and  to  the  side  of 
the  root.  The  pain  was  intense,  and  only  relieved  by  opening  at 
this  point  with  a  lancet.  In  another  recent  case  a  fistula  appeared 
on  the  buccal  gum  about  one-third  inch  above  the  margin  and  about 
between  the  buccal  roots  of  an  upper  molar.    The  crown  was  tapped 


PYORRHEA   A LV SOLARIS  AS  A   MARGINAL  GINGIVITIS     687 

by  a  student  for  dead  pulp,  but  exposure  of  the  pulp  demonstrated 
its  vitality.  Exploration  showed  a  distolingual  pyorrhea  pocket 
leading  into  the  bifurcation  between  the  distobuccal  and  lingual 
roots.  From  thence  the  pericemental  abscess  discharged  buccally 
between  the  buccal  roots. 

Fig.  627 


Pericemental  abscess  associated  with  a  pyorrhea  pocket.     (V.  A.  Latham.) 


While  dental  caries  may  occur  with  pyorrhea  alveolaris,  it  is  usual 
to  find  the  teeth  of  the  most  highly  organized  structure.  The  pulp 
tissue  is  usually  increased  in  density,  and  there  is  a  tendency  to 
the  constructive  changes,  secondary  dentin,  nodules,  etc.,  and  the 
inevitable  degenerative  changes  following  these  diseases. 

It  has  been  contended  that  these  pulps  are  responsible  in  a  measure 
for  the  pyorrhetic  condition,  and  it  is  possible  that  they  may,  by 
reflex  action,  influence  the  tissue  nutrition  of  the  pericementum  and 
gum  margin,  though  the  contrary  process  is  more  than  probable, 


688  PYORRHEA  ALV SOLARIS 

as  pyorrhea  frequently  causes  a  pulp  hyperemia  which  subsides  with 
the  cure  of  the  pocket.  If  the  pulps  be  degenerated,  which  is  likely 
in  very  loose  teeth  or  deep  pockets,  their  removal  aids  the  cure  of 
the  disease  by  diverting  the  blood  they  receive  into  the  pericemental 
bloodvessels.  This  probably  counterbalances  the  effects  of  the  end- 
arteritis obliterans.     (See  Deeply  Seated  Gingivitis.) 

It  is  also  true  that  calculus  does  not  seem  to  form  as  readily  upon 
a  devitalized  tooth  as  upon  one  containing  a  vital  pulp;  it  does  form 
at  times,  however. 

Diagnosis. — The  diagnosis  is  easily  made  when  the  disease  is 
established  by  observance  of  the  phenomena  just  described.  In 
difficult  cases  with  pocket  approaching  the  apex  or  bifurcation,  a 
skiagraph  may  be  necessary  for  accurate  determination  of  the  extent 
of  the  disease  (Fig.  620).  A  persistent  gingivitis  with  an  exaggera- 
tion of  the  space  between  the  tooth  and  gum  margins  means,  as  a 
rule,  a  future  pyorrhea.  The  same  is  true  of  a  receding  gum  margin 
constantly  associated  with  an  uncleanly  tooth  cervix.  The  causes 
of  the  condition  are  to  be  removed  and  the  patient  cautioned  to  seek 
frequent  dental  attention  as  a  prophylactic  measure. 

Prophylaxis. — As  outlined  above,  the  prevention  of  pyorrhea 
alveolaris  of  the  first  class  involves  the  removal  of  the  local  and,  if 
possible,  the  systemic  causes  of  the  gingivitis,  if  any  exists,  and  the 
systematic  cleansing  of  the  teeth  at  short  intervals.  The  daily  use 
of  the  tooth-brush  and  antiseptic  powders  and  washes  by  the  patient 
is  also  important. 

D.  D.  Smith  advises,  for  this  class  of  cases,  a  thorough  cleansing 
once  a  month,  or  at  first  even  oftener.  The  cleansing  is  to  be  done 
with  an  orange-wood  point,  grasped  in  a  Jack  porte-polisher  and 
charged  with  pumice  paste,  best  made  with  hydrogen  dioxid.  The 
local  sources  of  gum  infection  are  thus  continually  removed  and  the 
gums  stimulated  by  the  mechanical  irritation  with  the  wood  point. 
Bridges  require  careful  cleansing.  (See  pp.  415  and  701  for  further 
ideas  of  prophylaxis.) 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  well-established  pyorrhea  alveolaris 
of  the  first  class  is  to  be  considered  under  three  headings:  (1)  The 
removal  of  pus,  calculus,  and  bacterial  films;  (2)  the  prevention  of 
extreme  mobility;  (3)  the  medicinal  treatment  and  the  prophylaxis, 
or  prevention  of  a  relapse  into  the  diseased  condition. 

The  Removal  of  the  Causes. — Calculus  being  an  obvious  irri- 
tant, it  should  be  removed  from  crowns  and  all  parts  of  the  roots. 
To  prevent  infection  of  surrounding  tissues  and  to  remove  the  pus 
present  the  pockets  are  to  be  flushed  out  with  hydrogen  dioxid, 
which  may  be  done  by  means  of  a  syringe  with  fine  nozzle  or  an 


PYORRHEA   ALVEOLARIS  AS  A   MARGINAL  GINGIVITIS     689 

atomizer  operated  by  compressed  air.  The  forcible  spray  lifts  away 
the  gum  margin  and  cleanses  the  pockets  mechanically  as  well  as 
chemically.  The  mouth  is  reasonably  sterilized  at  the  same  time. 
If  large  quantities  of  supragingival  calculus  exist,  it  is  well  to  next 
remove  the  gross  deposits  and  permit  the  patient  to  use  an  astrin- 
gent, antiseptic  mouth  wash  for  a  few  days,  or  the  operation  may 
be  proceeded  with. 

Fig.  628 


Showing  the  manner  of  holding  an  instrument  for  detaching  calcareous  deposits  when  using 
the  pushing  motion.  The  third  finger  rests  on  the  edges  of  the  teeth,  allowing  freedom  of  the 
hand  to  make  rapid  and  effectual  movements  in  dislodging  the  calculi. 


Following  this,  cotton  containing  10  per  cent,  trichloracetic  acid 
is  to  be  packed  into  the  gum  pockets  in  order  to  superficially  con- 
stringe  the  gum  tissue,  lessen  the  hemorrhage,  and  render  more 
facile  the  removal  of  the  subgingival  calculi.  The  latter  is  accom- 
plished with  scalers  of  any  suitable  form,  working  either  with  a 
push  or  pull  cut  as  best  suits  the  case. 
44 


690  PYORRHEA  ALV SOLARIS 

Fig.  626  illustrates  the  method  of  guarding  against  unnecessarily 
wounding  the  soft  tissues.  If  the  calculi  be  extraordinarily  inacces- 
sible the  pockets  may  be  enlarged  by  packing  for  ten  or  fifteen  min- 
utes with  cotton  tampons  saturated  with  the  10  per  cent,  trichlor- 
acetic acid,  which  also  softens  the  calculi,  or  salicylized  cotton  may 
be  left  in  the  pocket  for  a  day.  (Black.)  In  some  cases  cocain  injec- 
tions or  applications  of  powdered  cocain  carried  into  the  pocket  on 
the  working  instruments  must  be  made  to  prevent  excessive  pain. 
After  removal  of  the  bulk  of  calculus  with  scalers  any  fine  granules 
or  gummy  collections  should  be  well  rubbed  off  with  Rhein's  approx- 
imal  trimmers,  or  Smith's  pyorrhea  instruments.  After  this  medi- 
cinal applications  are  made  (see  later) .  The  scaling  of  each  tooth  is 
to  be  completed  at  one  sitting,  though  more  than  one  may  generally 
be  done,  as  repeated  scalings  interfere  with  the  regenerative  process, 
and  the  pocket  is  most  accessible  at  that  time.  Hartzell  claims  that 
if  the  cemented  surface  be  scraped  away  to  the  depth  of  the  attach- 
ment of  the  peridental  fibers  a  source  of  infection  lying  in  these 
minute  openings  will  be  removed,  to  the  great  benefit  of  the  tooth.^ 
This  does  not  necessitate  much  removal  of  cementum. 

Fig.  629  Fig.  630 


•    f     I 


Illustration  of  the  position   and   form  of  incision 
through  the  gum  for  exposing  the  root  of  the  tooth 
Scalers  (three  times  natural  size).  and  injured  alveolar  process:   a,  incision.     (Black.) 

The  gum  margins  are  not  to  be  unnecessarily  wounded,  but  very 
redundant  granulations  may  be  cut  away.  In  case  the  pockets 
are  so  deep  or  have  such  form  that  the  alveolar  margins  cannot  be 
well  trimmed  without  overstretching  or  injuring  the  gingival  edges, 
Black  advises  that  gum  flaps  be  raised,  exposing  the  alveolar  margins 
(Fig.  630).  A  semicircular  incision  is  made  and  turned  back,  and 
bleeding  checked.  By  means  of  sharp  chisels  the  alveolar  borders 
are  freely  scraped,  the  pockets  are  flushed  with  hydrogen  dioxid, 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1908. 


PYORRHEA   ALVEOLARIS  AS  A   MARGINAL  GINGIVITIS     G91 

and  the  flap  secured  by  a  couple  of  stitches.  Cocain  anesthesia 
should  precede  this  operation.  The  same  writer  advises,  in  cases 
where  eversion  of  the  alveolar  margin  has  occurred,  that  the  process 
be  exposed  by  cuts  and  broken  down  by  three  cuts  made  with  a 
sharp  chisel  and  mallet;  the  loosened  segment  of  bone  to  be  pressed 
firmly  against  the  root.  It  is  desired  next  that  the  entire  pocket  will 
fill  with  granulation  tissue,  and  organization  of  the  granulations  take 
place,  furnishing  reattachment.  That  this  occurs  in  some  cases  is 
undoubted.  A  reproduction  of  alveolar  margins  also  occurs  in  some 
cases.  The  hope  of  good  results  lies  in  keeping  the  parts  aseptic 
after  all  foreign  deposits  and  dead  material  have  been  removed. 

In  cases  of  excessive  loss  of  the  pericementum  of  one  root  it  is  well 
to  devitahze  the  pulp,  as,  in  all  probability,  that  organ  will  have 
been  overstimulated  and  will  be  in  a  degenerative  condition,  and 
sometimes  is  actually  infected.  An  abnormal  response  to  thermal 
changes  (ordinary  cold)  may  occur  (hyperemia  or  inflammation),  or 
the  pulp  may  fail  to  respond  to  extraordinary  cold  (ethyl  chlorid), 
indicating  degeneration.  If  the  condition  be  marked  and  persistent 
after  pocket  treatment  the  pulp  should  be  removed  and  it  is  well 
to  resort  to  its  removal  at  once  when  the  pocket  approaches  the 
apex  of  the  root  as  the  pulp  is  apt  to  be  hopelessly  affected.  It  has 
been  claimed  by  Rhein,  Smith,  and  others  that  the  nutrition  received 
by  it  will  be  diverted  into  the  pericementum,  to  the  benefit  of  the 
latter.  Clinical  experience  seems  to  confirm  this  statement.  The 
method  also  permits  the  use  of  pins  placed  in  the  root  canal  as 
part  of  an  appliance  fixing  the  teeth  in  position.  An  exposed 
pocket  in  the  bifurcation  may  be  treated  by  scraping  and  filling  the 
same  with  oxyphosphate  of  copper  cement.  If  the  pulp  be  devital- 
ized, the  bifurcation  may  be  opened  for  the  purpose  of  successfully 
placing  gutta-percha,  which  is  known  to  be  well  tolerated  by  the 
soft  tissues  (Figs.  631  and  632).  Oxyphosphate  of  copper  cement 
is  more  readily  placed  by  flowing  it  in.  It  is  also  antiseptic.  In 
case  of  hopeless  involvement  of  one  root  of  a  multirooted  tooth 
the  root  may  be  amputated  if  the  remaining  roots  will  endure  the 
strain  put  upon  them.  Indeed,  the  other  roots  are  apt  to  be  firmer 
if  the  adjoining  inflammation  is  thus  removed.  The  canals  of  the 
roots  must  have  been  previously  carefully  filled. 

Rhein^  calls  attention  to  the  fact  that  collections  are  apt  to  occur 
about  the  surfaces  left  by  the  amputation,  and  that  postextraction 
resorption  of  the  alveolar  process  occurs.  To  obviate  this  he  suggests 
the  use  of  a  porcelain  root  to  replace  the  lost  root,  and  about  which 

■  Dental  Cosmos,  September,  1900,  and  September,  1902. 


692 


PYORRHEA  ALVEOLARIS 


the  tissues  contract  firmly  and  remain  in  a  healthy  condition.  This 
operation  Rhein  terms  "  heteroplasty  following  the  amputation  of 
natural  roots." 


Fig.  631 


Fig.  632 


Pyorrhea  pocket  in  bifurcation. 


The  same  treated  by  scraping  and  filling  with 
gutta-percha  or  oxyphosphate  of  copper.  (Radio- 
graphs by  Price.) 


Fig.  633 


Heteroplasty  following  the  amputation  of  natural  roots.    (Rhein.) 


Briefly  outlined  the  process  is  as  follows : 

1.  Prepare  and  fill  the  root  canals  as  far  as  the  pulp  chamber;  fill 
this  with  temporary  stopping. 

2.  Amputate  the  necrosed  root  by  means  of  a  fissure  drill,  and 
remove. 

3.  Coat  the  root  with  a  film  of  paraffin  to  allow  for  shrinkage  of 
the  porcelain. 

4.  Take  an  impression  of  one-half  of  the  root  (longitudinally)  by 
embedding  in  plaster;  make  articulating  grooves  and  pour  plaster 


I 


PYORRHEA   ALVEOLARIS  AS  A   MARGINAL  GINGIVITIS     f)93 

for  an  impression  of  the  other  half;  separate  and  remove  the  root 
from  the  plaster. 

5.  Burnish  matrix  platinum  into  each  half  of  the  impression,  stiflFen 
with  porcelain,  and  reburnish.  Complete  one  side  with  porcelain 
as  in  inlay  work,  in  the  other  fuse  a  platinum  box  formed  over  a 
square  platinum  pin  (this  pin  should  be  left  in  the  box  until  the 
packing  of  the  porcelain  about  the  box  is  complete). 

6.  Flatten  the  proximating  sides  of  the  halves;  paint  with  thin, 
fresh  body;  press  together  and  fuse. 

7.  Strip  off  all  platinum  and  dress  off  all  protruding  points,  coat 
the  entire  porcelain  with  a  thin  film  of  body,  place  in  furnace  in  an 
upright  position,  and  heat  almost  but  not  quite  to  a  glaze. 

8.  Wash  out  socket  of  natural  root  with  antiseptics  and  remove 
temporary  stopping  from  the  crown  cavity;  try  porcelain  root  in 
place,  and  if  right  dry  everA'thing;  fill  the  box  with  cement,  return 
the  root  to  place,  and  pass  the  pin  through  crown  cavity  and  into  the 
root  box.    Adjust  root,  leaving  a  slight  space  for  an  amalgam  joint. 

9.  Pack  the  crown  cavity  and  the  joint  with  amalgam,  and  at  a 
later  sitting  finish  the  same  (Fig.  633). 

The  Prevention  of  Excessive  Motion. — The  excessive  move- 
ment of  loosened  teeth  but  increases  the  deeply  seated  gingivitis  in 
the  remaining  tissues.  These  demand  rest.  Any  excessive  occlusion 
due  to  the  swelling  of  pericemental  tissue  may  be  compensated  for 
by  grinding  the  occluding  surfaces.  Such  excessive  occlusion  and 
motion  are  readily  detected  during  the'  act  of  occluding  the  teeth 
or  by  means  of  carbon  paper.  The  fixation  of  teeth  is  a  matter  of 
mechanics,  and  the  device  used  depends  upon  the  case.  Slightly 
loosened  teeth  may  be  temporarily  splintered  with  ligatures  of  wire 
or  floss  silk.  To  prevent  the  slipping  of  these  toward  the  gum 
margin  it  has  been  suggested^  that  small  buttons  of  Harvard  or 
other  adhesive  zinc  phosphate  should  be  placed  upon  the  labial  faces 
while  under  the  rubber  dam  (Fig.  634).  The  floss  silk  may  be 
saturated  with  a  solution  of  chemically  pure  celluloid  in  acetone 
(155  to  500  gr.-)  to  render  it  impermeable  and  more  lasting.  The 
preparation  after  application  is  allowed  to  dry  under  the  dam  to  a 
coagulum  and  then  dismissed  for  twenty-four  hours,  when  it  may  be 
polished.  It  lasts  for  several  months.  The  wire  should  ordinarily 
be  of  brass,  as  it  is  less  likely  to  permit  caries,  and  may  be  applied 
as  a  single  strand  being  woven  in  figure-of-eight  fashion,  or  a  single 
loop  may  be  made  about  all  the  teeth  to  be  included  and  smaller 
loops  about  the  wire  at  the  interspaces,  and  these  twisted  tight  to 
effect  a  tightness  of  the  first  wire.    The  fault  in  ligatures  is  that  some 

1  Reitz.  s  Kowarska'a  paste. 


694  PYORRHEA  ALVEOLARIS 

mobility  is  always  present.  They  may  slip  toward  the  gum,  in  which 
case  a  loop  or  two  may  be  carried  over  the  occluso-interproximal 
embrasure.  For  certain  cases  Dr.  Hugh  Mitchell  has  suggested  a 
bar  of  iridioplatinum  wire  adapted  to  the  lingual  surface  of  the 
teeth  to  be  splinted,  and  soldered  to  simple  gold  bands  to  be  attached 
with  cement  to  two  of  the  teeth  adjoining  the  loose  teeth.  The 
other  teeth  are  braced  to  the  splint  with  fine  wire,  gold  or  platinum 
being  preferred  for  anterior  teeth. 

Fig.  634  Fig.  635 


Temporary  splint  of  silk  floss  or  silver  wire  30-guage  (one  turn  only  shown).    Buttons  of  zinc 

phosphate.    (Rhein.) 

Such  a  splint  may  be  quickly  made  and  is  very  effective,  all 
slipping  of  ligatures  being  prevented;  moreover,  the  wire  may  be 
kept  away  from  the  necks  of  the  teeth  and  the  gums.  After  a  reason- 
able period  of  immobility  the  attachment  secured  by  treatment  may 
be  tested  (Figs.  636  and  637).  Very  loose  teeth  which  have  lost 
much  of  their  supporting  alveolar  process  must  be  secured  by  per- 
manent splints.  The  simplest  of  these  is  a  series  of  rings  soldered 
together,  or  its  equivalent,  shown  in  Fig.  635.  The  teeth  are  firmly 
ligated  at  their  necks  with  floss  silk.  A  wire  measure  is  taken  of 
the  entire  circumference  of  the  teeth  to  be  included,  allowance  being 
duly  made  for  burnishing.  A  piece  of  thin  platinum  or  22  k.  gold, 
No.  34  gauge  and  one-eighth  inch  wide,  is  cut  to  measure  and  a  lap 
joint  made  and  soldered.  The  ring  is  placed  upon  the  teeth  and 
moulded  to  their  surfaces  and  to  their  interspaces.  The  thinnest 
separating  saw  is  used  to  cut  almost  through  the  splint  on  both 
sides  at  one  interspace.  In  this  groove  a  straight  piece  of  the  plate 
is  placed  and  the  whole  withdrawn  from  the  teeth  and  the  joints 
soldered.  The  process  is  repeated  at  another  interspace  and  so  on 
until  the  piece  is  complete.  If  the  teeth  are  very  tender,  a  plaster 
impression  of  the  tips  of  the  teeth  may  be  taken  and  the  work  done 
on  a  fusible  metal  model.  If  space  be  necessary,  the  teeth  may  be 
slightly  disked  upon  their  proximal  sides.     If  such  spacing  be  not 


PYORRHEA  ALVEOLARIS  AS  A   MARGINAL  GINGIVITIS     695 

desirable,  the  necessary  room  can  usually  be  obtained  at  the  median 
interspace,  but  one  platinum  septum  is  placed  and  the  piece  is  to  be 
somewhat  stiffened  with  solder  at  the  indentations  representing  the 


Fig.  636 


Fig.  637 


Diagram  showing  labial  view  of  Mitchell's 
splint,  with  two  bands  and  wiring. 


Diagram  showing  view  of  Mitchell's    splint 
with  two  bands  and  bar. 


interspaces.     To  render  the  appliance  less  conspicuous  the  entire 
lingual  side  may  be  stiffened  with  solder  and  solder  be  placed  liber- 


FiG.  638 


Fig    6.39 


Fig.  640 


Five  rings  and  included  artificial         Two  rings  and  included  artificial         Method     of     making 
tooth.     (Evans.)  tooth.     (Evans.)  rings  as  in  Fig.  538. 

ally  at  the  junction  of  band  and  septum  on  the  labial  side.    Nearly 
all  the  labial  portions  of  the  bands  except  the  end  ones  may  be  cut 


Fig.  641 


Labial  view  of  a  splint  (see  text). 


Lingual  \-iew  of  splint  shown  at  A. 


c. 


onnnno 

Occhiaal  view  of  the  splint. 


away,  leaving  T-buttons  at  the  labial  portions  of  the  septa  (Fig.  641). 
The  teeth  may  loosen  in  this  more  readily  than  in  that  shown  in 
Fig.  635. 


696  PYORRHEA  ALVEOLARIS 

Evans'  method  is  readily  comprehended  by  reference  to  Figs.  638, 
639,  and  640. 

These  spHnts  are  to  be  cemented  with  adhesive  zinc  phosphate  so 
manipulated  as  to  set  quickly.    Ames'  cements  are  excellent. 

The  foregoing  splints  are  too  conspicuous  for  use  in  some  cases. 

A  simple  device  introduced  by  Dr.  L.  C.  Bryan^  consists  of  a  pure 
gold  band  about  one-eighth  inch  wide,  nicely  bevelled  at  its  edges, 
and  adapted  about  the  necks  of  the  lower  incisor  teeth  to  be  splinted 
in  somewhat  the  same  manner  that  the  splint  illustrated  in  Fig.  631 
is  adapted.  Particular  attention  is  paid  to  the  interspaces  in  the 
endeavor  to  bring  the  labial  and  lingual  sections  together  as  nearly 
as  possible  at  that  point.  When  ready  the  piece  is  sprung  off,  the 
rubber  dam  is  applied,  zinc  phosphate  is  placed  within  the  band  and 
upon  the  necks  of  the  teeth  at  all  points,  and  the  band  is  put  in 
place  and  burnished.  Before  the  cement  has  set  gold  wire  is  to  be 
passed  around  the  interdental  portions,  tightly  twisted,  and  the 
twisted  end  cut  off  nearly  to  the  band,  and  the  remainder  bent  back 
into  the  indentation  in  the  band.  Dr.  Bryan  recommended  gold 
clamps  in  the  place  of  wire,  but  these  are  difficult  of  adaptation. 

Such  a  piece  is  to  be  placed  only  on  those  lower  incisors  about 
which  salivary  calculus  promptly  collects,  and  should  be  avoided 
in  the  mouths  of  patients  who  will  not  present  frequently  for  pro- 
phylactic service.  Confined  to  such  cases  they  do  good  service,  and 
the  cement  does  not  readily  wash  away;  indeed,  a  slight  coating  of 
calculus  seems  to  protect  the  surface  of  it  from  solution.  If  the 
calculus  be  kept  from  the  gum  this  remnant  does  no  harm. 

Several  devices  have  been  offered  which  require  the  devitalization 
of  the  pulps  and  filling  of  the  root  canals  of  the  several  teeth  to  be 
splinted. 

D.  D.  Smith^  suggests  reduction  of  the  lingual  surfaces  of  the 
teeth  and  the  fitting  to  them  of  thin  metal  backings,  which,  after 
adaptation  to  the  teeth,  are  perforated  and  pins  are  thrust  through 
for  the  root  canals.  After  soldering  each  pin  to  its  plate,  readapting 
the  latter  and  stiffening  with  solder,  an  impression  is  taken  and  the 
plates  are  united.  The  whole  piece  is  cemented  to  place  with  oxy- 
phosphate.  A  modification  for  vital  teeth  would  be  to  drill  three 
safe  pits  for  pins  for  each  plate  instead  of  the  one  central  pin  for 
the  canal,  or  to  drill  one  hole  through  the  incisal  portion  above  the 
pulp  for  each  plate.  With  this  device  one  or  more  artificial  teeth 
may  be  included  to  replace  lost  incisors  (Figs.  642  to  644).  The 
incisal  edges,  if  broad,  could  have  individual  inlay  casts  on  two 
safely  placed  pins  (Fig.  277)  and  these  soldered  together. 

1  International  Dental  Journal,  1899.  2  Dental  Digest,  1902, 


Fig.  G42 


Fia.  643 


Splint    for    securing    previously    treated    lower  Upper  teeth  prepared  for  splint.     (Ames.) 

anterior  teeth.     (Ames,  after  Smith.) 


Fig.  C44 


Splint  for  use  in  the  case  shown  in  Fig.  643. 
Fig.  646 


Same  as  Fig.  643.    Splint  in  position. 
Fig.  647  Fig.  648 


Fig,  645 


Root  with  cap  fitted.    (Ames.) 
Fig.  649 


Tooth  with  Richmond  cap.     (Ames.)  Splint  for  lower  incisors.     (See  text.)     (Ames.) 


698 


PYORRHEA  ALV SOLARIS 


Ames^  suggests  that  in  certain  cases  of  lower  incisors  the  teeth  be 
devitalized  and  amputation  be  performed  at  the  neck  of  each.  Each 
root  is  then  trimmed  and  fitted  with  a  gold  Richmond  cap  without 
pin  (Fig.  645). 

Each  natural  crown  is  slightly  trimmed  and  fitted  with  a  gold 
Richmond  cap  with  a  pin  (Fig.  647).  These  two  caps  are  united  with 
wax,  carried  to  the  mouth,  and  adjusted  in  position  (Fig.  648) .    Each 

Fig.  650 


Splint  for  lower  incisors.    (See  text.)    (Ames.) 
Fig.  651 


Splint  and  double  saddle  bridge  combined.    Front  view.    (Ames.) 


is  then  carefully  removed,  the  natural  crown  laid  aside  (in  water), 
and  the  gold  sections  invested  and  soldered  together.  The  individual 
parts  are  readjusted  in  the  mouth,  an  impression  taken,  an  invest- 
ment made,  and  all  soldered  together.  The  natural  crowns  are 
then  fastened  in  their  prepared  sockets  with  cement,  and  the  piece 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1903. 


PYORRHEA  A LV SOLARIS  AS  A   MARGINAL  GINGIVITIS     699 

is  cemented  to  place.  Pins  may  be  placed  in  the  roots  if  desired 
(Fig.  649). 

If  desired  the  piece  may  be  further  attached  to  the  adjoining 
teeth  by  means  of  the  Ungual  plate  and  pin  (Fig.  650).  The  Ames 
device  would  be  useful  in  cases  in  which  approximal  cervical  caries 
exists. 

It  may  be  stated  that  three  or  four  teeth  fairly  loose  individually 
when  united  together  may,  as  a  whole,  be  quite  firm. 

Ames  further  suggests  that  in  case  the  pericemental  attachment  is 
hopelessly  lost,  such  teeth  may  be  extracted,  the  roots  amputated, 
and  prepared  as  for  replantation,  and  then  adjusted  in  the  gold 
bridge,  otherwise  made  as  above  described.  These  roots  are  to  go 
in  their  own  sockets,  and,  being  firmly  fixed  in  position,  the  tissues 
settle  about  them. 

Ames  claims  that  the  extension  bridge  shown  in  Figs.  651,  652, 
and  653  lasted  for  years  and  was  in  as  good  condition  then  as  at  the 
beginning.  Fig.  651  gives  the  anterior  view.  Fig.  652  that  of  the 
right  side,  and  Fig.  653  that  of  the  left  side. 


Fig.  652 


Fig.  653 


Right  side  of  extension  bridge  shown  in  Fig.  647.      Left  side  of  extension  bridge  shown  in  Fig.  647. 


Rhein  offers  the  following:  After  pulp  removal  and  root  filling  a 
transverse  groove  is  cut  in  the  lingual  side  of  the  central  or  loose 
teeth  and  a  half-groove  upon  the  mesiolingual  aspect  of  the  pier 
teeth.  A  staple  is  formed  of  triangular  iridioplatinum  wire  to  fit 
into  the  root  canals  of  the  pier  teeth.  To  this  is  soldered  a  pin  for 
each  of  the  central  teeth.  The  face  of  the  wire  should  approximately 
fit  the  bottom  of  the  groove  (Fig.  654).  Rhein  suggests  the  following 
method  of  attachment:  (1)  Fill  the  root  with  a  paper  point,  place 
cement  over  that,  and  fill  the  cervical  margin  of  the  cavity  and  its 
floor  with  gold ;  (2)  drill  through  the  gold  to  the  paper  point,  remove 
it,  and  refit  the   retaining  appliance;  when  ready  set  with  zinc 


700  PYORRHEA  ALVEOLARIS 

phosphate,  avoiding  excess;  (3)  when  this  is  set  cut  away  to  the  gold 
and  complete  the  gold  fillings. 

A  less  elegant  but  still  practical  method  would  be  to  cover  the 
pins  with  a  good,  color-keeping  amalgam  pressed  into  the  excess  of 
cement  before  it  has  set.  The  margins  are  then  to  be  freed  of  cement 
and  the  operation  completed  with  amalgam,  which  later  should  be 
polished. 

Smith's,  Rhein's,  and  Ames'  devices  permit  the  use  of  an  artificial 
tooth  if  necessary.  The  same  may  be  said  for  the  device  which 
consists  of  a  series  of  gold  rings  (Evans'). 

For  the  molars  and  bicuspids  Rhein's  device  is  transferred  to  the 
occlusal  surface  (Fig.  655). 

Short  metal  caps  made  for  the  incisal  tips  of  lower  incisor  teeth 
adjoining  a  space  will  successfully  hold  a  bridge  tooth.  The  device 
is,  however,  rather  conspicuous.  Gold  inlays  joined  by  solder  or 
cast  together  or  a  staple  in  two  or  more  roots  of  different  teeth 
about  which  staple  fillings  are  later  built  may  be  useful.  Carmichael 
attachments  will  serve  for  some  teeth. 

For  the  molar  and  bicuspid  teeth  it  seems  good  practice  to  adapt 
short  crowns  to  the  teeth  trimmed  only  to  the  fullest  point  of  con- 
tour, and  unite  these  with  solder.  A  sort  of  bridge  is  thus  made 
which  causes  the  teeth  to  be  firm  even  if  all  are  originally  loose. 
It  is  mainly  this  factor  which  renders  bridge-work  useful  in  pyor- 
rhea alveolaris  upon  isolated  teeth.  If  the  necks  of  such  teeth  are 
hypersensitive,  silver  nitrate  may  be  used  (Fig.  656). 

The  use  of  united  barrel  crowns  reaching  the  gum  margins  is  at 
times  useful,  but  the  configuration  of  exposed  roots  may  render  this 
impossible  in  some  cases. 

By  the  use  of  pure  gold  crowns,  which  may  be  stiffened  occlusally 
with  solder  to  gain  strength,  better  adaptation  at  cervical  portions 
may  be  obtained  by  hand  burnishing  after  cementation  of  the  piece. 

All  appliances  cemented  to  the  teeth  and  having  a  free  margin  are 
subject  in  some  degree  to  a  solution  of  the  cement..  These  cases 
should  be  seen  frequently  in  any  event  for  prophylactic  purposes, 
when  the  condition  of  the  appliance  may  be  noted. 

Extraction  and  bridge-work  may  be  at  once  resorted  to  in  some  of 
the  aggravated  cases,  though  if  the  appliance  be  mechanically  con- 
structed teeth  which  may  be  extracted  with  the  fingers  may  be  firmly 
held  in  splints  for  years.  While  this  is  a  fact,  good  judgment  may 
demand  the  early  removal  of  such  teeth  before  an  appliance  is 
constructed. 

E.  Ewing  Roach^  has  suggested  that  in  case  of  loose  incisors  drill 

1  Dental  Cosmois,  1908,  p.  65. 


PYORRHEA    ALVEOLARIS  AS  A   MARGINAL  ClINGIVITLS     701 


holes  may  be  made  from  mesial  to  distal  or  the  reverse,  and  a  plati- 
num wire,  18  or  20  gauge,  be  cemented  through  the  several  teeth. 
The  cases  must,  of  course,  be  selected. 

If  desired  the  bridge  may  be  made  so  as  to  mount  the  natural  teeth 
after  their  extraction,  by  constructing  sockets  of  gold  for  the  recep- 


FiG.  656 


Permanent  splint  for  cases  of  pyorrhea  alveo 
laris  on  molars  and  bicuspids. 


Permanent  splint  for  cases  of  pyorrhea  alveo- 
laris  in  upper  or  lower  incisors.     (Rhein.) 


Fig.  655 

tion  of  the  necks  of  the  teeth 
somewhat  after  the  manner  em- 
ployed in  the  Ames  method. 
The  sockets  are  then  soldered 
to  each  other  and  to  the  bridge 
piers,  after  which  the  teeth  are 
attached. 

These  sockets  are  to  be  made 
deep  at  first,  and  it  is  well  to  at- 
tach the  teeth  with  gutta-percha  in  order  that  the  row  of  sockets  or  a 
new  row  may  be  lowered  to  fit  the  gum  if  desirable.  This  will  require 
the  raising  of  the  teeth  to  the  occlusal  level.  Occasionally  the  use  of 
the  overarch  bar  is  demanded  to  prevent  the  overuse  of  the  teeth 
acting  as  piers  for  bridge-work.  The  lateral  support  of  teeth  by 
plates  is  occasionally  of  use  in  pyorrhea,  but  the  question  requires 
careful  consideration.  (See  p.  632.)  The  prevention  of  mobility  in 
advanced  cases  may  be  at  times  an  impossibility.  In  such  case 
extraction,  and  the  use  of  artificial  teeth,  is  probably  better  judg- 
ment than  the  retention  of  the  teeth  until  extracted  one  by  one. 
The  Medicinal  Treatment  and  Prophylaxis. — Simple  cases  often 
heal  spontaneously  after  thorough  work  and  antisepsis.  If  aseptic 
a  clot  drawn  after  the  irrigation  of  the  pocket  with  hydrogen  dioxid 
is  often  useful.  In  a  few  days  the  inflammation  subsides.  In  order 
to  control  the  patient  and  watch  the  case,  any  pocket  existing  after 
a  week  should  be  washed  out  with  hydrogen  dioxid  and  then  filled 
with  balsam  of  Peru  which  can  be  kept  ready  at  hand  in  a  Safety 
Sub.  2  syringe.  This  substance  is  a  mild  antiseptic  stimulant  of  a 
viscidity  sufficient  to  fill  the  pockets  even  though  wet  if  the  needle 
is  inserted  to  the  bottom.  Thereafter  it  should  be  used  once  or 
twice  a  week. 


702  PYORRHEA  ALVEOLARIS 

If  the  case  refuse  to  heal  there  may  be  calculus  overlooked  upon 
the  roots.  An  acid  is  used  to  soften  this  if  not  removable  by  instru- 
ments. Head  recommends  the  use  in  the  pockets  on  each  fourth  day 
of  ammonium  bifluorid^  as  a  solvent  of  calculus  and  tissue  stimulant. 
It  does  not  dissolve  enamel  or  cementum.  The  tissues  are  to  be 
protected  against  burns  from  any  overflow  which  must  be  removed. 
It  produces  no  harm  "s\dthin  two  minutes.  It  is  to  be  injected  with 
a  rubber  syringe  with  a  platinum  point  (Dunn  syringe) . 

Lactic  acid  full  strength  (Younger),  trichloracetic  acid,  25  per 
cent,  strength  (Kirk) ;  sulphuric  acid,  25  per  cent,  strength  (Triunan) 
are  all  solvent  for  tartar  and  stimulant  germicides  if  infection  con- 
tinues the  ulceration. 

As  an  astringent  antiseptic  zinc  chlorid  deliquesced,  or  sulpho- 
carbolate  of  zinc  in  10  per  cent,  solution,  or  ziric  iodid  in  10  per  cent, 
solution,  or  copper  sulphate,  10  per  cent,  are  all  useful. 

As  an  astringent  lotion,  zinc  chlorid,  gr.  x  to  each  fluidounce  of 
aquae  rosse,  aquae  gaultheriae,  aquae  menthi  piperitae,  etc.,  may  be 
applied  by  the  patient  daily  on  a  cotton  swab  made  by  rolling 
cotton  on  the  end  of  a  tooth  pick.  It  may  be  diluted  to  an  agreeable 
astringence  for  a  mouth  wash  (or  two-minute  bath),  or  tincture  of 
iodin  may  be  applied  every  other  day,  or  iodoglycerol  (see  p.  646) 
may  be  painted  upon  the  gums. 

Gentle  massage  of  the  gums  by  means  of  the  finger-tips  stimulates 
the  tissues  and  squeezes  out  secretions.  If  common  table  salt  be 
used  in  conjunction  the  stimulant  antiseptic  effect  is  obtained. 
Powdered  sulphur  is  recommended  by  Gordon  White  instead. 

The  use  of  a  strong  stream  of  water  from  a  syringe  is  recommended 
by  Black  to  wash  away  the  agglutinin  collected. 

Dr.  A.  B.  Harrower  has  suggested  the  following  formula  for  a 
powder  which  has  in  his  own  and  my  hands  given  good  results  as  an 
astringent  antiseptic: 

3 — Magnesium  carbonate .      lb.  j 

Cream  of  tartar lb.  iss 

Red  cinchona  bark gij 

Calcined  alum §j 

Oil  peppermint f3v 

Oil  cinnamon fSiiJ 

Oil  rose  geranium f3j 

All  ingredients  to  be  finely  powdered.  The  oils  are  to  be  added  to  the  magnesium  before 
thorough  mixing  of  the  powders.    The  whole  is  to  be  sifted  through  silk. 

Saccharin  may  be  added  to  the  above  as  a  sweetening  agent.  The  powder  when  wet  is  almost 
neutral,  and  should  do  no  harm  in  its  limited  use  as  a  therapeutic  agent. 


■  "Tartar  Solvent,"  or  "  Tartasol,"  is  made  by  neutralizing  hydrofluoric  acid  with  ammonium 
carbonate,  filtering,  evaporating  to  half  the  bulk,  adding  again  an  equal  bulk  of  hydrofluoric  acid, 
and  again  evaporating  to  one-half  bulk  (at  90°  to  105°  F.).     (Items  of  Interest,  1909,  p.  175.) 


PYORRHEA  ALVEOLARIS  AS  A    MARGINAL  GINGIVITIS     703 

Black  has  recommended  the  use  of  the  1—2—3  mixture,  or  phenol- 
camphor,  to  be  put  into  the  pockets  every  three  days,  and  a  few 
drops  to  be  used  on  the  tooth  brush. 

3 — Oil  of  cinnamon 1  part 

Carbolic  acid 2  parta 

Oil  of  gaultheria 3  parts. 

I{ — Gum  camphor, 

Crystal  carbolic  acid aa     q.  s. 

Mix  in  a  mortar  to  an  oily  fluid. 

Regeneration  in  the  pockets  should  not  be  disturbed,  so  that 
unless  the  pus  flow  be  active  one  should  wait  until  sufficient  time  has 
been  afforded  (about  a  week  or  ten  days)  for  granulations  to  form. 
If  pus  be  then  detected  the  pocket  should  be  again  treated  thoroughly. 
Good  results  are  obtained  from  the  use  of  an  astringent  antiseptic 
wash  used  in  forcible  spray  from  an  atomizer  or  introduced  by  means 
of  a  syringe.  This  should  be  done  daily  by  the  patient.  Stagnant 
fluids  in  the  pockets  are  washed  out  and  replaced  by  the  antiseptic, 
thus  inhibiting  the  bacterial  growth  in  the  pockets  and  the  mouth. 

The  teeth  should  be  cleansed  after  meals  to  prevent  media  for 
infection  lodging  about  the  interstices,  after  which  the  antiseptic 
spray  will  aid  in  inhibiting  bacteria.  If  the  case  still  refuse  to  heal 
Beck's  bismuth  paste  may  be  used. 

3 — Bismuth  subnitrate 30  parts 

White  wax 5  parts 

Paraffin 5  parts 

Vaselin 60  parts 

Mix  while  boiling. 

It  is  injected  from  a  syringe  kept  for  the  purpose. 

Good  results  from  the  application  of  the  .r-rays  and  high-frequency 
currents  have  been  claimed  by  Parker,^  Price,  Guy,  Satterlee, 
Tousey,  and  others. 

The  local  treatment  outlined  must  first  be  given  and  the  a:-rays 
and  high-frequency  currents  used  as  an  adjunct. 

Tousey  recommends  an  .r-ray  tube  made  of  lead  glass  except  for 
a  single  window  of  ordinary  glass,  through  which  the  rays  pass  in 
one  direction  only,  and  thus  both  patient  and  operator  are  protected 
from  the  unintentional  action  of  the  rays. 

Applications  of  a  minute  or  two  have  beneficial  effect.  The  high- 
frequency  currents  are  applied  by  small  vacuum  tubes  or  electrodes 
directly  to  the  gums.  They  contain  and  emit  violet  and  ultra-violet 
rays,  which  not  only  stimulate  the  part  through  the  electricity,  but 

'  Dental  Cosmos,  December,  1903. 


704  PYORRHEA   ALV SOLARIS 

also  produce  ozone  upon  the  gum  surface  and  carry  it  in  and  also 
produce  ozone  in  the  tissue  by  electrolysis. 

Good  results  have  been  obtained  in  some  cases  by  extraction  and 
replantation,  after  root  preparation  and  sterilization  of  the  tooth  and 
alveolus.  The  alveolus  may  have  to  be  deepened.  An  effort  has 
been  made  to  utilize  the  opsonic  index  in  the  diagnosis  of  pyorrhea 
alveolaris  and  its  treatment  by  means  of  vaccines  prepared  from 
the  variety  of  germ  found  to  be  the  probable  infection.  It  may  be 
stated  that  the  effort  is  to  raise  the  opsonic  index,  or,  in  other  words, 
the  property  of  the  blood  serum  which  assists  or  promotes  phago- 
cytosis, so  that  the  infection  may  be  killed  out.  That  is,  the  resistive 
force  of  the  patient  to  the  particular  infection  is  raised.     (See  p.  59.) 

If  the  interstitial  gingivitis  underlying  the  case  be  of  systemic 
origin — i.  e.,  due  to  auto-intoxication  from  any  disease,  the  alimen- 
tary canal,  the  pyorrhea  itself,  or  to  drug  action — these  should  have 
attention.  The  systemic  disease  should,  if  possible,  be  cured  by 
correct  medical  attention.  Pyorrhea  patients  are  of  the  hyperacid 
type  (Michaels),  and  treatment  should  be  directed  toward  elimina- 
tion of  waste  products  and  the  reduction  of  hyperacidity  by  the  use 
of  alkaline  remedies.  The  bowels  should  be  kept  active  and  the  skin 
pores  open.  Brisk  exercise  in  the  open  air,  if  not  specifically  contra- 
indicated  by  organic  disease,  is  valuable  in  both  directions.  Warm 
baths  followed  by  cold  douches  and  vigorous  rubbing  stimulate  the 
skin.  Turkish  baths  followed  by  massage  directed  to  stimulation 
of  the  eliminating  organs  are  valuable  unless  contraindicated.  Free 
drinking  of  pure  water  is  necessary  to  the  successful  elimination  of 
the  waste  products  of  the  body.  The  water  entering  the  blood 
increases  the  blood  pressure  and  flushes  the  tissues  and  the  kidneys, 
dissolving  waste  products.  Water  should  be  freely  taken  between 
or  before  meals  in  order  that  digestion  be  not  interfered  with,  and 
if  medicated  with  salts  of  lithium  the  alkalinizing  effect  and  solvent 
action  of  lithium  upon  urates  are  obtained.  Patients  exhibiting  an 
aversion  to  water  drinking  are  more  apt  to  take  it  when  medicated 
than  as  a  physiological  necessity.     (See  also  pp.  99  and  655.) 

The  prophylaxis  of  pyorrhea  alveolaris  is  all  important,  especially 
in  the  cases  of  systemic  origin  in  which  chronic  disease  or  mal- 
nutrition may  not  be  readily  overcome  owing  to  confirmed  habit  of 
life  or  advanced  stage  of  disease.  The  local  conditions  existing 
even  after  a  cure  of  pyorrhea  are  such  as  to  invite  reinfection,  and 
the  establishment  of  microbic  plaques,  which  frequent  cleansing  of  the 
teeth  will  remove.  The  system  of  monthly  or,  if  necessary,  more 
frequent  cleansing  abvocated  by  D.  D.  Smith  should  be  practised. 
Its  good  results  are  particularly  manifest  in  this  class  of  cases.    Also 


SYSTEMIC  EFFECTS  OF  PYORRHEA   ALVEOLARIS       70o 

the  use  of  the  prophylactic  stick  by  the  patient  twice  a  week  and 
the  careful  and  proper  use  of  floss  is  very  beneficial.  The  patient 
performs  these  manipulations  with  difficulty,  and  is  apt  to  backslide. 
(See  p.  419.) 

Recurrence  of  the  condition  is  probable  if  the  oral  prophylaxis  or 
systemic  treatment  be  neglected.  The  simpler  cases  yield  quite 
readily;  the  advanced  ones,  in  which  much  of  the  alveolar  process 
is  lost,  and  especially  when  the  gums  are  flabby  and  admit  food  to 
the  pockets,  tax  the  patience  of  operator  and  patient  alike,  and  are 
apt  to  end,  sooner  or  later,  in  loss  of  the  teeth  affected. 

This  fact,  however,  should  not  prevent  the  retention  of  these 
teeth  by  every  means  at  command  during  the  period  for  which 
they  may  be  made  useful.  If,  however,  any  tooth  prove  an  incurable 
source  of  pus  formation,  or  from  the  first  be  likely  so  to  do,  it  should 
be  removed,  otherwise  the  remaining  teeth  are  continuously  infected. 


SYSTEMIC  EFFECTS  OF  PYORRHEA  ALVEOLARIS 

It  has  been  abundantly  shown  by  Hunter  and  others  that  the  pus 
of  pyorrhea  and  other  intense  oral  sepsis  is  a  source  of  systemic 
infection,  producing  effects  ranging  from  gastritis  to  actual  septic 
infection.  The  importance  of  this  fact  is  not  to  be  lost  sight  of,  and 
patients  are  to  be  informed  of  the  dangers  of  constant  pus  formation, 
as  well  as  of  the  presence  of  other  forms  of  sepsis  about  the  mouth 
and  teeth. 

R.  D.  Watkins,  M.D.,  has  examined  the  blood  of  pyorrhetic 
patients,  and  has  found  a  mild  condition  of  septic  blood  similar  to 
but  less  than  found  in  puerperal  fever  and  advanced  carcinoma  and 
in  other  infective  conditions.^ 

Goadby^  reports  the  cure  of  a  case  of  profound  muscular  weakness, 
mental  depression,  and  insomnia  after  unavailing  general  medical 
treatment  for  neurasthenia,  as  following  the  extraction  of  teeth 
aft'ected  by  pyorrhea.  VaneP  cites  a  case  of  chronic  septicemia  with 
symptoms  of  pallor  and  asthenia,  and  ecchymotic  patches  (see  p. 
113)  on  the  legs,  associated  with  pus  formation  about  the  roots  of 
teeth.  The  symptoms  disappeared  in  a  few  wrecks  after  the  oral 
treatment. 

Hunter  and  Leith*  have  described  cases  of  subacute  and  chronic 
catarrh   of  the    stomach    and   phlegmonous    gastritis    due   to   the 

'  Items  of  Interest,  1904.  2  International  Dental  Journal,  July,  1902. 

'  Dental  Cosmos,  1908,  p.  192. 

*  Transactions  Odontological  Society  of  Great  Britain,  International  Dental  Journal,  1899. 

45 


706  PYORRHEA  ALV SOLARIS 

ordinary  pyogenic  cocci,  such  as  are  found  in  the  mouth,  and  which 
the  gastric  juice  of  the  stomach  of  the  particular  individual  at  least 
was  not  competent  to  kill.  Considering  the  fact  that  an  oral  subacute 
catarrhal  condition  is  established  in  pyorrhea,  the  local  transfer  of 
the  infection  is  not  surprising.  Park^  believes  many  cases  of  appen- 
dicitis to  be  due  to  oral  infection. 

Kirk  adds  to  this  list  pernicious  anemia,  bronchopneumonia, 
malignant  endocarditis,  pyemic  lymphadenitis,  etc.,  as  possibilities 
of  secondary  infection  or  extension  by  natural  contiguous  channels. 

HartzelP  claims  that  three  deaths  from  septic  endocarditis  were 
traceable  to  violent  pyorrhea. 

D.  D.  Smith^  claims  to  have  cured  cases  of  confirmed  nervous 
dyspepsia,  nervous  prostration,  and  other  local  and  systemic  con- 
ditions simply  through  constant  dental  prophylaxis.  The  thorough 
removal  of  causes  and  treatment  of  the  systemic  condition  consequent 
upon  them  is  the  indication. 

PYORRHEA   ALVEOLARIS   NOT   DEPENDENT   UPON   CALCULUS 

FORMATION 

A  form  of  pyorrhea  occurs  in  which  calculus  does  not  seem  to  be 
the  exciting  or  contributory  cause.  It  seems  rather  to  be  due  to 
infection  localized  in  soft  bacterial  collections  in  localities  protected 
from  ordinary  friction. 

Sometimes  no  perceptible  calculus  can  be  found  upon  the  roots, 
but  a  soft  gummy  collection  may  be  noted.  The  forms  of  the  necks 
of  the  teeth  readily  permit  bacterial  collections  and  the  infection 
causes  a  bright  red  marginal  gingivitis.  A  pocket  forms  and  the 
infection  becomes  deep.  The  gum  tissue  is  sometimes  destroyed 
between  two  teeth.  There  is  often  evidence  of  infection  of  other 
gum  margins  with  the  bright  red  color.  In  another  form  the  gum 
margins  are  separated  from  the  teeth.  Pockets  are  formed  which 
collect  food.  There  is  not  much  pus  apparent,  but  there  is  a  pig- 
stye  odor  of  putrefaction.  The  marginal  bone  is  lost.  In  another 
form  a  deep  pocket  forms  and  necrotic  bone  may  be  found. 

The  advance  of  the  disease  is  sometimes  rapid  and  sometimes  not. 
Sometimes  a  lateral  abscess  is  associated  with  it.  The  diagnosis  is 
that  of  pyorrhea  alveolaris  of  aggravated  type,  and  probably  special 
infection,  and  its  progress,  symptoms,  and  treatment  are  practically 
the  same  as  in  the  first  class. 

1  Surgery  by  American  Authors.  2  Dental  Cosmos,  1908,  p.  340, 

s  Proceedings  Philadelphia  County  Medical  Society,  1903. 


PYORRHEA   ALV SOLARIS  1{)1 

The  advance  of  the  case  may  be  very  slow  and  limited  to  the 
teeth  originally  involved.    The  following  is  an  example: 

]\Iiss  H.,  aged  twenty-five  years,  presented  with  well-established 
pockets,  extending  one-half  inch  toward  the  apex,  upon  the  mesial 
aspect  of  the  root  of  the  right  upper  central  incisor  and  distal  and 
distobuccal  aspect  of  the  right  upper  lateral  incisor.  There  was  a 
history  of  traumatism  due  to  violent  and  persistent  wedging  with 
rubber  at  about  the  age  of  sixteen.  The  case  was  then  of  several 
years'  standing,  and  the  two  teeth  elongated  about  one-eighth  inch 
beyond  their  fellows  (Fig.  657).  There  was  no  subgingival  calculus. 
The  pockets  were  treated  with  some  benefit,  and  the  teeth  shortened 
for  the  cosmetic  effect,  but  the  patient  left  the  city  suddenly  before 


Pyorrhea  alveolaris  without  calculus.  Pockets  as  shown.  Teeth  were  one-sixteenth  inch 
longer,  but  have  been  shortened.  Practically  no  calculus  and  but  slight  flow  of  thick,  creamy 
pus.     Gum  prominent  over  affected  teeth.     Condition  in  1904. 

recovery,  and  was  not  seen  again  for  three  years.  At  this  second 
visit  it  was  found  that  the  pockets  were  nearly  the  same  as  at  first, 
and  no  other  teeth  had  become  involved.  Xor  had  the  teeth  further 
elongated. 

During  the  four  years  from  1904  to  1908  elongation  and  grinding 
reduced  nearly  all  the  crown  of  the  lateral,  which  had  one-quarter 
inch  of  its  root  cervix  exposed.  Coincidently  with  the  exfoliation 
the  pockets  have  disappeared  as  though  by  a  drawing  up  of  the 
bottom,  but  the  teeth  are  doomed  and  only  retained  because  of 
the  obstinacy  of  the  patient  (only  the  central  remains  in  1912).  The 
consideration  of  this  form  of  pyorrhea  should  be  that  it  is  specially 
virulent. 


CHAPTER    XXV 

PERICEMENTAL  ABSCESS 

In  comparatively  rare  cases  there  begins  in  the  lateral  aspect  of  a 
pericementum  a  swelling  which  finally  discharges  its  contents  either 
at  the  gum  margin  or  directly  through  the  gum  tissue. 

The  pulp  of  the  tooth  may  be  perfectly  vital  and  the  attachment  at 
the  gum  margin  at  first  at  least  practically  unbroken.  A  deposit  of 
calculus  may  or  may  not  be  formed  in  the  area,  and  the  discharge  may 
consist  of  a  glairy  mucus  or  of  purulent  matter.  Cases  of  this 
disease  have  been  noted  and  described  by  Darby  (1874),  W.  E. 
Walker  (1895),  Talbot^  (1896),  D.  D.  Smith  (1897),  and  Kirk  (1898). 
Black  claims  that  he  has  never  found  such  a  condition  without  local 
injury. 

Forms  of  Pericemental  Abscess. — There  are  four  forms  of  perice- 
mental abscess  as  described  and  seen: 

1.  An  ordinary  pyorrhea  begins  at  the  gum  margin  and  extends 
into  the  alveolus  at  the  expense  of  the  pericementum.  The  bacteria 
find  their  way  to  the  bottom  of  the  pocket  or  into  the  tissue  at  its 
side.  They  develop  in  the  said  location  and  the  pus  burrows  into 
the  lateral  gingival  tissue,  causes  swelling  and  pointing,  and  dis- 
charges at  the  lateral  gingival  aspect  or  analogous  situation.  (See 
p.  685.)  This  is  not  always  opposite  the  gum  orifice  of  the  pocket. 
(See  Figs.  625  and  626.)  In  one  case  a  fistula  was  found  at  the  buccal 
aspect  of  the  gum  opposite  a  point  midway  between  the  buccal  roots 
of  an  upper  molar  at  the  middle  third  of  the  roots.  The  pulp  was 
exposed  and  vital,  having  been  drilled  to  on  the  supposition  of  its 
death.  A  gum  pocket  was  found  at  the  distolingual  aspect  of  the 
lingual  root  and  the  pus  had  burrowed  into  the  bifurcation  between 
the  lingual  and  distobuccal  root,  and  discharged  as  stated,  remaining 
as  a  chronic  abscess. 

2.  There  is  a  pyorrhetic  condition  at  the  gum  margin;  later  an 
abscess  develops  on  the  lateral  aspect  at  a  point  a  little  higher  up 
toward  the  apex,  usually  at  the  gingival  third.  There  may  be  no 
detectable  connection  between  the  two,  but  probably  a  deeper 
infection  has  occurred,  the  avenue  being  along  the  connective  tissue 

1  International  Dental  Journal,  1896. 


PERICEMENTAL  ABSCESS  709 

spaces,  the  bloodvessels  or  the  glands  of  Black.  In  one  case  of  this 
sort  the  fistula  was  formed  over  the  highest  point  of  the  middle 
third  of  the  root  of  a  cuspid  retained  for  plate  work.  The  gum 
margin  was  flabby,  but  not  markedly  pyorrhetic.  There  was  firm 
tissue  at  the  bottom  of  the  pocket  on  all  sides.  The  pulp  was  vital. 
Examination  showed  a  small  calculus  on  the  root  surface  below  the 
fistula.  The  abscess  tract  was  limited.  Sometimes  it  is  of  greater 
extent. 

3.  An  acute  swelling  occurs  over  a  root,  the  gum  margin  is  un- 
broken, a  discharge  of  glairy  or  purulent  material  occurs,  and  a 
calculus  or  none  may  be  found.  In  this  connection  Fig.  282  shows 
that  a  calculus  may  exist  as  a  primary  cause  of  the  pericemental 
abscess.  As  calculi  of  gouty  (sodium  bi-urate)  or  other  origin  occur 
in  other  parts  of  the  body  and  in  the  pulp,  there  is  no  valid  reason 
why  one  should  not  occur  in  the  pericementum  or  upon  the  root 
under  it  if  some  sluggish  condition  of  the  circulation  renders  the 
tissues  into  a  degenerative  state  favoring  it.  (See  p.  82.)  The  peri- 
cementum contains  white  fibrous  tissue  which  is  particularly  prone 
to  such  deposits. 

Whether  such  a  deposit  occurred  primarily  in  the  case  of  the  cuspid 
described  under  Class  2  and  infection  followed,  or  whether  the  infec- 
tion and  pus  came  first  and  the  calculus  followed  is  not  quite  clear. 
In  two  distinct  cases,  with  healthy  gum  margins,  the  editor  has 
seen  an  acute  circumscribed  swelling  which  was  not  yet  open  as  a 
fistula  and  which  was  perforated  by  an  explorer,  disclosing  a  loss 
of  alveolar  bone  and  a  small  cavity  filled  with  clear  liquid  in  the 
tissues.  The  explorer  reached  the  root  without  obstruction,  and 
no  calculus  was  present.  After  discharge  and  curettement  the 
cavities  healed.  These  two  swellings  looked  like  blisters  or  simple 
cystic  swellings  near  the  gum  margin.  If  they  had  discharged  at 
the  gum  margin  they  might  have  produced  a  gum  pocket  simulating 
pyorrhea. 

4.  In  some  cases  of  apical  abscess  the  infection  may  travel  along 
the  pericementum  and  develop  a  secondary  abscess  at  some  point 
in  the  pericementum  (as,  for  example,  the  bifurcation),  as  a  perice- 
mental abscess.  This  form  corresponds  to  the  cases  of  Class  2,  but 
is  apt  to  be  more  acute.  It  is  also  quite  rare.  The  pulp  is,  of 
course,  dead,  at  least  partially  in  such  a  case. 

The  subject  of  pericemental  abscess  is  in  some  confusion  because 
writers  have  described  all  these  varying  phases  as  pericemental 
abscess,  which  indeed  they  are,  yet  they  require  differentiation  into: 

1.  Cases  occurring  as  a  sequel  to  a  distinct  pyorrhea  alveolaris, 
Class  1. 


710  PERICEMENTAL  ABSCESS 

2.  Cases  associated  with  marginal  pyorrhea  cases  but  distant  to 
them  in  all  probability,  having  a  source  of  infection  in  the  pyorrhea 
pockets,  Class  2. 

3.  Cases  beginning  on  their  own  account  the  relation  of  the 
calculus  if  present  as  a  cause  or  result  being  in  doubt.  Class  3  (Figs. 
658  and  659). 

4.  Cases  beginning  in  an  apical  abscess  infection,  travelling  via 
the  pericementum  to  another  portion  of  the  pericementum.  Class  4. 

Kirk's  studies  show  that  in  a  few  cases  of  pericemental  abscess 
the  pneumococcus  may  be  found  in  pure  culture.  This  suggests  a 
Class  2  case  as  they  are  found  complicated  by  other  pyogenic 
bacteria  in  the  ordinary  pyorrheas. 

Garrod  found  crystals  of  urates  in  the  serum  of  blisters  in  gout}^ 
patients.  In  gouty  patients  they  are  found  in  joints,  and  they  con- 
stitute the  common  tophus.  (See  p.  97.)  "Urates  of  sodium  are 
also  discharged  through  the  skin  in  gouty  abscesses,  either  in  liquid 
or  solid  form,  and  with  or  without  pus."  (Musser.)  Musser^  states 
that  a  number  of  these  abscesses  may  discharge  without  impair- 
ment of  the  general  health  or  even  with  benefit  to  the  system. 

Calculi  scraped  from  the  roots  in  pericemental  abscesses  exhibit 
in  a  varying  degree  a  response  to  the  murexid  test,  the  test  for 
urates.  (Peirce.)  The  reaction  may  be  very  faint  in  some  cases, 
being  overshadowed  by  the  calcium  phosphate  which  makes  up  the 
bulk  of  these  masses;  in  others  it  is  pronounced — i.  e.,  urates  made 
up  a  portion  of  the  deposits. 

Black^  by  test  found  urates  in  nearly  all  concretions,  salivary  and 
serumal,  about  the  teeth.  While  he  claimed  that  this  proved  that 
urates  have  no  causal  relation  to  pyorrhea,  the  findings  seem  rather 
to  point  to  frequent  presence  of  urates  in  the  salivary  and  serumal 
excretions,  which  may  really  be  a  cause  of  irritation  even  when  no 
obvious  symptoms  of  gout  are  present. 

Miller's  demonstration  of  a  calculus  upon  an  unerupted  tooth  is 
to  be  recalled  It  seems  fairly  reasonable,  therefore,  to  suppose 
that  in  rare  cases  such  a  calculus  may  be  the  result  of  either  gout 
or  a  local  degeneration  and  act  as  an  exciting  cause.     (See  p.  624.) 

Morbid  Anatomy .^ — Aside  from  the  state  of  the  teeth  which  show 
evidences  of  a  tendency  to  secondary  dentin  and  nodule  formation, 
it  has  been  noted  that  the  abscess  is  intrapericemental,  not  sub- 
pericemental.  Figs.  660  and  661  show  the  infiammatory  swelling  of 
the  pericementum,  the  central  abscess  cavity,  and  the  loss  by  resorp- 
tion of  the  alveolar  process  may  easily  be  calculated.    The  original 

1  Medical  Diagnosis.  ^  Dental  Review,  1894. 


PERICEMENTAL  ABSCESS 


711 


chronic  nature  of  the  local  irritation  in  this  case  is  evidenced  by  the 
presence  of  hypercementosis. 

Symptoms. — These  have  been  largely  foreshadowed  in  the  dis- 
cussion of  the  pathology.  Upon  some  vital  tooth  there  appears  an 
uneasiness,  at  first  not  very  painful,  followed  later  by  an  inflamma- 
tory swelling  which  may  produce  acute  pain  and  then  discharge  a 


Fig.  658 


Fig.  659 


r.'/.-;*r.«- 


A   and  C,  vital  pericementum;  B,  gouty  calculus; 
D,  a  subgingival  calculus. 

Fig.  660 


A,  calculus  in  area  of  necrosis;  S 
and  C,  vital  pericementum. 


Two  \'iews  of  an  intrapericemental  abscess.    Pulp  vital.     (Kirk.) 

glairy  fluid  or  purulent  matter.  There  is  an  absence  of  the  phleg- 
monous inflammatory  involvement  of  contiguous  tissues  common 
in  cases  of  acute  apical  abscess.  The  fistula  may  persist  after  the 
discharge  and  the  case  may  first  be  seen  in  this  condition.  If  it 
discharges  at  the  gum  margin  it  establishes  an  ordinary  pyorrhea. 

D.  D,  Smith  calls  attention  to  the  absence  of  marked  pain  upon 
tapping  and  the  production  of  a  feeling  of  apprehension  upon  the 


712 


PERICEMENTAL  ABSCESS 

Fig.  661 


Transverse  section  through  buccal  roots  and  pericemental  abscess  shown  in  Fig.  660,  showing 
intrapericemental  abscess  cavity  with  fistulous  outlet  and  nearby  areas  of  nodular  hypercementosis. 
(Kirk.) 

Fig.  662 


Pericemental  abscess.    (Talbot.)     (Photograph  by  Latham.) 


PERICEMENTAL  ABSCESS  713 

part  of  the  patient  during  tlie  stages  preceding  the  formation  of  the 
fistula.  In  other  cases  the  shifting  of  the  tooth  from  its  position  is 
the  first  noticeable  symptom,  followed  later  by  the  pain,  and  later 
still  by  the  discovery  of  a  pocket  alongside  the  tooth. 

Diagnosis. — In  making  the  diagnosis  the  symptoms  described  are 
to  be  borne  in  mind,  but  the  disease  may  be  confounded  with  several 
diseases  having  somewhat  similar  symptoms.  An  acute  apical 
abscess  due  to  gangrenous  pulp  may  be  differentiated  by  obtaining 
evidences  of  pulp  death,  previous  root-canal  treatment,  etc.  There 
is  also  much  greater  pain  upon  percussion  than  in  pericemental 
abscess.  If  slowly  and  painlessly  formed  it  may  be  still  more  con- 
fusing, but  the  pulp  is  dead. 

If  the  apical  abscess  be  in  the  third  stage  it  may  be  differentiated, 
if  any  doubt  exist,  by  incision  and  subsequent  exploration. 

An  acute  lateral  abscess  due  to  a  root  perforation  is  more  difficult 
of  differential  diagnosis,  but  after  incision  evidences  of  perforation 

Fig.  663 


A,  calculus. 

may  be  sought  externally,  or  the  root  canal  may  be  opened.  In 
these  acute  conditions  the  a:-ray  may  render  valuable  aid.  The  pulp 
being  found  alive  by  any  reliable  test  is  evidence  that  the  case  is 
either  one  of  pericemental  abscess  or  of  acute  traumatic  perice- 
mentitis. In  a  few  cases  of  partial  gangrene  of  the  pulp  the  pulp 
may  test  as  vital,  yet  really  the  symptoms  be  due  to  apical  abscess. 

Acute  traumatic  pericementitis  usually  has  a  history  of  traumatism 
and  presents  more  pain  upon  tapping.  Any  abscess  is  usually  the 
result  of  infection  due  to  rupture  of  the  pericementum. 

As  stated,  a  form  of  pericemental  abscess  is  sometimes  found 
existing  as  a  secondary  process  dependent  upon  a  primary  pyorrhea 
of  the  first  class.  The  pus  burrows  from  the  gum  pocket  into  the 
gum  tissue  and  excites  an  abscess  which  discharges  upon  the  lateral 
aspect  of  the  gum.  The  connection  of  the  sinus  at  the  gum  margin 
with  the  fistula  will  demonstrate  their  relation  (Figs.  625  and  626). 


714  PERICEMENTAL  ABSCESS 

Again,  a  pericemental  abscess  may  be  caused  by  metastasis  of 
pyogenic  organisms  from  an  acute  apical  abscess — e.  g.,  an  abscess 
in  the  bifurcation  of  the  roots  of  a  molar  may  have  been  caused  by 
bacteria  from  an  apical  abscess;  the  presumption  is  that  the  bacteria 
have  followed  the  pericemental  tract,  perhaps  via  the  glands  of  Black 
or  by  way  of  the  bloodvessels,  and,  finding  a  suitable  location  in  the 
bifurcation,  have  there  developed.  Of  course,  in  such  a  case  the  pulp 
of  the  tooth  in  question,  or  of  that  in  an  adjoining  tooth,  will  be  dead. 
Failing  a  positive  differential  diagnosis,  the  case  should  be  treated 
upon  general  principles — i.  e.,  counterirritation,  derivation,  etc.,  and 
decisive  developments  awaited. 

Treatment. — If  the  pericemental  abscess  discharge  by  way  of  the 
gum  margin,  infection  from  the  oral  cavity  occurs  and  the  pocket 
originally  formed  becomes  deeper.  The  case  simulates  then  a  pyor- 
rhea alveolaris  beginning  at  the  gum  margin.  The  treatment  is  then 
conducted  accordingly.  If  the  swelling  occur  upon  the  gum,  at  a 
point  more  or  less  midway  upon  the  root,  it  should  be  opened  under 
antiseptic  precautions.  An  injection  of  cocain  solution  should  be 
made,  if  necessary,  and  a  semicircular  flap  raised.  The  diseased  area 
should  be  explored  for  calculus  and,  whether  found  or  not  found,  the 
necrotic  tissue  should  be  curetted  away.  Next,  the  pocket  should 
be  syringed  out  with  an  antiseptic  and  filled  with  balsam  of  Peru 
or  Beck's  bone  paste  (see  p.  703).  The  flap  is  next  laid  into  place. 
The  mouth  should  be  kept  in  an  aseptic  condition  during  the  healing 
of  the  parts.  Whether  the  exciting  cause  of  this  condition  shall  be 
finally  shown  to  be  bacterial  or  not,  the  predisposing  cause  in  a 
general  malnutrition  or  intestinal  toxemia  should  be  sought  for,  and, 
if  possible,  corrected. 

In  the  elimination  of  the  waste  products  which  act  as  irritants  the 
best  results  seem  to  be  attained  by  measures  directed  to  an  increase 
of  the  general  eliminative  functions,  increase  of  tissue  oxidation,  and 
a  restriction  of  diet.  Such  measures  in  general  cause  the  elimination 
of  existing  waste  products  from  the  circulation,  and  prevent  the  for- 
mation of  an  excess  of  new  waste  products  (see  pp.  92,  99,  and  655). 

Recognizing  the  predisposition  which  exists  in  gouty  persons  to 
active  pericemental  degenerations,  the  operator  should  guard 
against  injuries  to  the  pericementum,  which  might  induce  a  weak 
articulation  and  precipitate  gouty  pericementitis.  Any  malocclu- 
sion should  be  corrected.  Such  teeth  should  not  be  violently  wedged; 
injury  to  the  gum  or  gum  margins,  by  the  use  of  improper  rubber 
dam  clamps,  ligatures  driven  beneath  margins,  etc.,  may  excite  the 
first  stages  of  a  degeneration,  which  will  end  only  in  the  loss  of  the 
abused  tooth. 


CHA'PTER    XXVI 

REFLEX   DISORDERS  OF   DENTAL   ORIGIN 

Recognizing  pain  as  a  condition  produced  through  the  over- 
excitation of  sensory  nerves,  a  reflex  pain  may  be  defined  as  a  pain 
referred  to  some  point  other  than  that  of  its  origin.  Pain  referred  to 
the  distribution  of  a  sensory  nerve  may  be  due  to  overexcitation 
of  any  portion  of  the  nerve  in  its  terminal  distribution,  to  diseases 
affecting  any  portion  of  the  nerve  trunk,  or  to  disorders  affecting 
the  central  termination  of  the  nerve.  Again,  irritation  of  one  sensory 
nerve  may  be  referred  to  some  other  sensory  nerve.  The  condition 
is  called  neuralgia.  When  muscular  motion  or  glandular  secretion 
is  excited  by  irritation  of  sensory  nerves  the  condition  is  called  a 
motor  reflex.  Both  motor  and  sensory  reflexes  are  also  classed 
under  the  heading  of  Reflex  Neuroses. 

As  both  the  upper  and  the  lower  teeth  and  their  surroundings 
receive  their  neural  supply  from  branches  of  the  fifth  pair  of  cranial 
nerves,  discussion  of  this  subject  is  confined  to  causes  operating 
within  the  distribution  of  that  nerve. 

As  such  general  conditions  as  malaria,  syphilis,  and  forms  of 
anemia  operate  to  produce  neuralgia  which  may  be  referred  to  the 
teeth,  or  the  parts  about  them,  only  those  cases  will  be  regarded  as 
dental  which  have  undoubtedly  a  dental  origin,  as  evidenced  by 
disappearance  of  the  neuralgia  following  cure  of  the  exciting  dental 
condition.  It  should  be  noted,  however,  that  vague  and  sometimes 
severe  pains  referred  to  the  teeth  may  entirely  disappear  after  the 
cure  of  some  constitutional  disorder.  For  example,  cases  of  periodic- 
ally recurring  dental  pain  have  been  entirely  relieved  through  the 
administration  of  quinin  or  arsenic;  the  pains  were  clearly  of 
malarial  origin.  Pain  about  the  teeth  in  syphilitics  has  disappeared 
after  the  administration  of  iodids.  Pain  referred  to  the  teeth  in 
anemic  patients  has  disappeared  after  a  long  course  of  chalybeates. 
The  treatment  of  localized  disorders  other  than  dental  has  relieved 
neuralgia  about  the  head  or  face. 

Reflexes  of  dental  origin  are  both  motor  and  sensory,  the  latter  far 
outweighing  the  former  in  importance.  Motor  reflexes  may  be  noted 
in  the  quick  spurt  of  saliva  from  the  ducts  of  the  salivary  glands 
upon  infliction  of  pain  in  the  teeth,  and  by  the  occasional  spasmodic 


716  REFLEX  DISORDERS  OF  DENTAL  ORIGIN 

contraction  of  the  muscles  about  the  mouth  when  the  pulp  of  a  tooth 
is  deliberately  irritated.  Twitching  of  the  muscles  about  the  face  is 
a  common  accompaniment  of  trigeminal  neuralgia. 

Before  direct  association  of  dental  diseases  with  pains  in  other 
parts  can  be  clearly  demonstrated,  a  review  of  those  conditions  of 
the  teeth  attended  by  pain  must  be  made. 

Dental  pain  arises  in  consequence  of  disorder  of  the  sensory  struc- 
tures; these  are  situated  in  the  pulp,  and  are  continuous  throughout 
the  dentin  and  in  the  pericementum.  Dental  pains,  therefore,  may 
be  discussed,  first,  in  connection  with  affections  of  the  dentin  and 
pulp,  and  secondly,  with  those  of  the  pericementum. 

It  was  stated,  in  discussing  the  diseases  of  the  dental  pulp,  that 
this  organ  is  not  the  seat  of  tactile  sense,  and  that,  like  other  organs 
having  a  kindred  physiological  relationship,  irritation  excited  in  it 
is  not  located,  but  is  referred  to  some  other  part.  While  all  reflex 
dental  disturbances  are,  as  a  rule,  located  in  some  part  of  the  great 
nerve  branch  supplying  the  source  of  irritation,  the  irritation  may 
be  reflected  to  distant  parts;  first,  of  the  same  cranial  nerve,  and 
secondly,  to  other  nerves.  That  is,  pain  having  its  origin  in  one  of 
the  upper  teeth  is  most  likely  to  be  referred  to  a  point  or  points  in 
the  distribution  of  the  superior  maxillary  division  of  the  fifth  nerve. 
Disturbances  in  or  about  the  lower  teeth  are  usually  referred  to  the 
distribution  of  the  inferior  maxillary  division.  In  affections  of 
either  upper  or  lower  teeth  the  pain  may  be  referred  to  the  ophthal- 
mic division.  In  all  of  these  cases,  but  most  notably  in  connection 
with  disturbances  of  the  upper  teeth,  the  usual  symptom  of  trifacial 
neuralgia — tenderness  of  the  supra-orbital  and  infra-orbital  nerves 
at  their  points  of  emergence  upon  the  face,  the  supra-orbital  and 
infra-orbital  foramina — is  commonly  present. 

Cases  are  extremely  rare  where  the  reflex  pain  is  referred  to  the 
opposite  side;  so  unusual  is  this  occurrence  that  its  mention 
warrants  suspicion  that  other  sources  of  irritation  exist  upon  the 
side  referred  to. 

The  extent  of  acuteness  of  reflex  pain  bears  no  direct  relation  to 
the  apparent  extent  of  the  source  of  irritation. 

As  might  be  surmised  from  the  function  of  the  dental  pulp,  painful 
reflex  dental  disorders  are  more  common  in  connection  with  diseases 
of  the  pulp  than  with  those  of  the  pericementum. 

REFLEX  NEURALGIA  FROM  EXPOSED  DENTIN 

The  exposure  of  the  dentin  to  external  sources  of  irritation  is 
followed  by  reactions  governed,  first,  by  the  degree  of  sensitivity 


Fig.  664  — Plan  of  the  fifth  cranial  nerve,  showing  the  relationships  of  the  dental  nerves. 

(After  Flower.) 


718        ■         REFLEX  DISORDERS  OF  DENTAL  ORIGIN 

inherent  in  the  protoplasm  of  the  tissue;  and  secondly,  by  the  degree 
of  hypersensitivity  induced  in  it.  Reflex  disturbance  due  to  these 
irritations  is  more  common  in  the  class  of  persons  called  "neuralgics," 
i.  e.,  in  those  whose  nervous  irritability  is  exalted,  a  condition  which 
may  remain  even  in  nervous  exhaustion  (see  p.  104),  Like  direct 
pulp  pains,  unless  actual  pressure  be  exerted  upon  the  affected 
tissue,  there  is  no  localized  pain.  In  the  absence  of  deliberate  irri- 
tation, the  pain  may  be  referred  to  any  portion  of  the  peripheral 
distribution  of  the  fifth  nerve  upon  the  face,  but  if  an  acid  liquid, 
such  as  lemon  juice  or  vinegar,  or  sugars  be  taken  into  the  mouth, 
pain  is  excited,  which  is  referred  indefinitely  to  the  teeth  of  one  side, 
frequently  of  one  jaw.  Reflex  pains  due  to  this  cause  often  appear 
when  there  is  but  little  loss  of  dentin. 

When  carious  cavities  have  proceeded  to  any  depth  evidences  of 
direct  pulp  disturbance  are  obtained  through  the  increased  response 
to  thermal  changes. 

Reflex  pains  from  exposed  dentin  appear  most  commonly  in  con- 
nection with  exposures  at  the  neck  of  the  tooth  and  upon  abraded 

areas.     Obstinate  and  persistent 

^^°-  665  neuralgia,  positively   referred   to 

I  another  nerve  branch,  may  appar- 

^^^^^^  f^^'^^\        ently  owe  its  origin  to  so  slight  a 

r     \     V  ^illL  vJI"^— -     cause  as  exposure  at  the  neck  of  a 

(^^^      ^^^kj      ll^lf^l         tooth  of  a  line  of  dentin  (Fig.  665). 

\   ii'ii/  ^^%^^kK      '^^^  proof  of  the  connection  be- 

\iu#  ^'^..^      tween  the  two  is  made  clear  by  a 

Sites  of  dentin  exposure  frequently  associated        , .  p       .  i  i     • 

with  reflex  pains.  disappearance    01    the    neuralgia 

after  the  exposed  dentin  has  been 
subjected  to  the  action  of  powerful  caustics  (especially  silver  nitrate), 
destroying  the  dentinal  filaments  to  some  depth.  The  connection 
between  the  two  may  be  revealed  only  by  accident;  the  contact  of 
a  toothpick,  a  dental  instrument,  or  the  finger-nail  may  induce  a 
paroxysm  of  pain.  In  one  case,  after  removal  of  calculus,  the  necks 
of  the  lower  incisors  became  a  cause  of  severe  neuralgia,  compelling 
the  use  of  silver  nitrate. 

While  in  some  cases  the  dental  origin  of  reflex  pain  may  be  made 
clear  by  the  induction  of  a  painful  response  in  the  area  of  reflection, 
by  irritating  a  tooth  pulp,  this  reaction  is  not  constant.  The  causal 
relation  is  only  certain  when  the  cure  of  localized  dental  disease 
is  followed  by  a  disappearance  of  the  neuralgia  without  further 
treatment.    This  proof  should  be  exacted  in  all  cases. 

The  most  common  sources  of  neuralgic  attacks  about  the  face  are 
diseases  of  the  eyes  and  teeth.    In  general  terms,  diseases  of  the  eye 


REFLEX  NEURALGIAS  FROM  PULP  DISEASES  719 

give  rise  to  reflex  pains  referred  to  the  distribution  of  the  first  branch 
of  the  fifth  nerve;  diseases  of  the  teeth  usually  cause  reflex  pains  in 
either  the  superior  or  inferior  maxillary  divisions,  according  as  the 
upper  or  lower  teeth  are  affected.  In  all  painful  affections  of  these 
nerves  attention  should  at  once  be  directed  to  the  organs  named. 


REFLEX  NEURALGIAS  FROM  PULP  DISEASES 

The  disturbances  require  classification  according  to  the  distance 
between  their  source  and  their  manifestations. 

In  the  Fifth  Pair  of  Nerves. — Pain  referred  to  a  different  spot 
or  area  than  its  origin  is  a  characteristic  of  all  pulp  diseases.  The 
extent  of  its  reflection  depends,  first,  upon  the  patient,  as  noted  in 
connection  with  the  reflex  pains  from  exposed  dentin ;  and  secondly, 
upon  the  variety  of  pulp  disease.  In  neuralgic  patients  any  variety 
of  pulp  disease  may  cause  comparatively  distant  pains.  But,  as 
Black  has  pointed  out,^  the  general  rule  is,  that  the  more  chronic  and 
profound  degenerative  diseases  of  the  pulp  are  much  more  liable  to 
give  rise  to  distant  reflex  pains  than  are  acute  pulp  diseases. 

The  pains  of  acute  hyperemia  and  of  acute  inflammation  of  the 
pulp  are  usually  referred  to  the  region  of  the  tooth  aft'ected,  or  to  a 
corresponding  nerve  trunk.  In  conditions  of  venous  hyperemia, 
nodular  calcifications,  chronic  inflammation,  and,  later,  pulp  degen- 
erations, the  pains  may  be  of  such  character  that  their  dental  origin 
is  only  determined  after  persistent  search.  Particularly  is  this  true 
of  the  growth  of  pulp  nodules.  The  source  of  the  reflex  pains  is  all 
the  more  obscure  from  the  fact  that  in  these  chronic  degenerations 
direct  dental  symptoms  may  be  entirely  absent,  and  are  only  elicited 
upon  the  most  searching  examination  and  exhaustive  tests.  In  some 
cases  of  pulpitis  even  removal  of  the  pulp  b}'  cocain  has  been  fol- 
lowed by  a  neuralgia  due  to  irritation  of  the  nerve  trunk  in  the  pulp 
stump  at  the  apex,  so  proved  by  cure  through  strong  sedatives 
applied  via  the  canal.  In  one  case  the  neuritis  lasted  several 
days. 

There  is  no  constancy  in  the  location  of  the  pain  due  to  any  of 
these  causes;  but  tenderness  of  the  eyeball  upon  pressure;  iritis  or 
conjunctivitis;  persistent  pain  in  the  temporal  and  anterior  auricular 
regions,  particularly  in  connection  with  pulp  diseases  of  the  lower 
posterior  teeth;  in  the  ear  itself,  a  common  site  of  the  reflex  pain 
excited  by  chronic  pulp  inflammation  and  suppuration  of  that  organ; 

1  American  System  of  Dentistry,  vcl.  i. 


720 


REFLEX  DISORDERS  OF  DENTAL  ORIGIN 


Fig.  666 


Spots  of  tenderness  in  reflex  neu- 
ralgias of  dental  origin. 


behind  the  ear,  back  of  the  lower  border  of  the  mastoid  processes, 
tender  spots  may  develop;  tenderness  to  pressure  may  appear  at 
the  supra-orbital  and  infra-orbital  or  mental  foramen,  and  about  the 
chin.    In  the  same  class  of  diseases  the  pains  may  frequently  radiate 

as  far  as  the  shoulder.  Many  of  these 
cases  receive  attention  from  the  general 
practitioner,  and  the  painful  attacks 
recurring  at  irregular  intervals  are  re- 
lieved by  analgesic  remedies — phenacetin, 
acetanilid,  exalgin,  etc.- — and  no  attention 
paid  to  a  probable  dental  source  of  the 
disorder.  It  should  be  a  routine  practice 
to  examine  the  teeth  in  cases  presenting 
pains  of  the  tjqje  and  in  the  situations 
described.  Acute  diseases  of  the  pulp, 
including  suppuration,  notably  abscess 
of  the  pulp,  usually  have  attention 
directed  to  the  teeth  through  pain  induced 
by  thermal  changes,  so  that  their  diag- 
nosis is  quickly  made.  Not  so,  however,  with  the  chronic  degener- 
ative changes,  except  possibly  of  pulp  nodules;  for  if  the  pulp  is  in 
the  late  stages  of  degeneration,  it  may  require  repeated  applications 
of  cold  and  heat  to  elicit  a  response  from  teeth  which  do  not  respond 
by  tenderness  upon  percussion. 

Failing  to  obtain  evidence  of  pulp  disorders,  examination  should 
be  made  for  eiq)osed  and  hypersensitive  dentin.  Then,  examination 
of  the  pericemental  reaction  of  each  tooth  should  be  made,  and  for 
any  evidences  about  the  teeth  poinling  to  pericemental  disturbance. 
(See  later.) 

Lauder  Brunton^  records  that,  in  his  own  case,  temporal  neuralgia 
accompanied  by  tender  eyeball  was  found  due  to  exposed  dentin 
upon  the  posterior  cervical  surface  of  a  lower  third  molar  (see  Fig. 
665) .  The  same  writer-  announces  that  "  so  frequently  are  headaches 
dependijnt  upon  decayed  teeth,  that  in  all  cases  of  headache  the 
first  thing  I  do  is  to  carefully  examine  the  teeth;"  as  should  every- 
one else.  Brunton  explains  the  painful  reaction  upon  the  accepted 
hypothesis  of  the  pathology  of  megrim,  that  it  is  due  to  spasmodic 
contraction  of  the  peripheral  end  of  an  artery,  with  dilatation  of  the 
proximal  portion.  "  Irritation  in  the  tooth  is  reflected  to  the  cervical 
sympathetic  ganglia  and  causes  spasmodic  contraction  of  the  arteries 
through  irregular  stimulation  of  the  vasomotor  nerves." 


1  St.  Bartholomew's  Hosp.  Rep.,  vol.  xix. 

2  Ibid. 


Reprinted  in  his  Disorders  of  Digestion. 


REFLEX  PAINS  FROM  DISEASES  OF  THE  PERICEMENTUM      721 

An  abnormal  tooth  located  in  the  anterior  floor  of  the  nasal  cavity 
was  the  cause  of  headache  for  years,  so  proved  by  cessation  of  head- 
ache after  its  surgical  removal. 


REFLEX  PAINS   FROM  DISEASES  OF  THE  PERICEMENTUM. 

As  a  general  rule,  pericemental  pains  are  located  at  the  affected 
tooth ;  but  in  some  of  the  disorders  the  teeth  may  not  be  tender  upon 
percussion,  and  yet  excite  reflex  pains  in  other  parts,  the  proof  of 
the  connection  being  determined  by  a  disappearance  of  the  pain 
upon  extraction  of  the  tooth.  The  roots  in  such  cases  usually  present 
either  an  hypertrophy  of  cementum  or  show  that  resorption  of  a 
portion — it  may  be  a  major  portion — of  the  root  has  occurred. 

In  cases  of  hypercementosis  it  is  assumed  that  the  source  of  the 
irritation  is  pressure  upon  the  nerves  of  the  pericementum  by  the 
hypertrophic  growth.  Very  widespread  disorders  may  arise  from 
this  source. 

Flagg^  records  many  varieties  of  trifacial  neuralgia;  pains  in  remote 
parts  of  the  body;  grave  functional  disorders  of  the  eye  and  ear; 
and  motor  disturbances — chorea,  epilepsy,  and  paralysis — having  a 
direct  demonstrable  connection  with  hx-percementosis.  Insanity  has 
also  been  produced. 

He  mentions  \aolent  attacks  of  trifacial  neuralgia  as  the  most 
common  reflex  disturbance  from  this  source;  and  next,  long-continued 
pains  in  the  ear  or  eye  of  the  affected  side.  The  existence  of  acute 
disease  of  these  organs  is  usually  diagnosticated  by  the  general 
practitioner.  He  states  that  oral  and  ocular  disturbances,  both 
functional  and  painful,  are  of  gradually  increasing  severity. 

In  examining  for  a  dental  source  of  such  pains,  exposed  dentin, 
pulp  diseases,  and  inflammatory  affections  of  the  pericementum 
should  be  first  excluded.  In  examinations  by  percussion  a  different 
response  may  be  obtained  from  some  one  tooth  than  from  the  others. 
Hypercementosis  of  a  particular  tooth  may  be  suspected  by  finding 
the  gum  line  slightly  receded  and  the  tooth  attachment  unusually 
firm;  if,  in  addition,  vague,  heavy  dental  pains  have  persisted  at 
intervals  over  a  long  period,  the  diagnosis  is  probable.  It  is  only 
certain  when  tapping  upon  the  tooth  brings  on  a  paroxysm  of  neural- 
gia, or  where  a  skiagraphic  view  actually  exhibits  the  hypertrophic 
growth.  The  remedy  is  extraction.  Any  root  fragment  left  unex- 
tracted  may  perpetuate  the  reflex  disorder.    The  writer  has  recently 

'  Dental  Cosmos,  1S78 

46 


722  REFLEX  DISORDERS  OF  DENTAL  ORIGIN 

treated  a  case  of  neuralgia  due  to  a  lingual  root  of  a  left  upper  first 
bicuspid  which  was  retained  in  the  gum  after  extraction.  The  gum 
had  healed  perfectly  over  it.  It  was  only  discovered  by  the  use  of 
the  x'-rays. 

Painful  affections  referred  to  the  neighboring  region  of  the  affected 
tooth,  or  diffused  through  the  distribution  of  the  corresponding 
nerve  trunk,  or  to  the  eye  or  ear,  may  accompany  the  process  of 
resorption  of  the  roots  of  permanent  teeth.  Gillman^  records  a  case 
where  facial  paralysis  disappeared  upon  extraction  of  a  tooth  which 
had  long  been  the  seat  of  disturbance  and  which,  upon  extraction, 
revealed  resorption  of  its  root.  In  these  obscure  cases  the  skiagraph, 
if  taken  at  once,  will  be  a  great  aid  in  the  exclusion  or  diagnosis  of 
pericemental  and  root  abnormalities. 

All  of  the  acute  or  chronic,  septic  or  non-septic,  inflammations  of 
the  pericementum  may  give  rise  to  reflex  pains.  The  most  common 
causes  of  the  reflex  pains  are  found  in  that  stage  of  pericemental 
irritation  which  antedates  acute  septic  apical  pericementitis.  Unless 
an  exacerbation  of  the  reflex  disorder,  or  symptoms  referable  to  that 
region,  be  induced  by  pressure  or  percussion  on  the  tooth,  a  causal 
relationship  is  only  made  out  b}^  either  relieving  an  existing  dental 
disorder,  an  x-ray  skiagraph,  or  extracting  the  teeth. 


IMPACTED  TEETH  AS  A  CAUSE  OF  NEURALGIA 

Neuralgia  of  varying  degrees  of  severity  is  a  common  accompani- 
ment of  impacted  teeth.  It  is  most  frequently  noted  in  connection 
with  eruption  of  the  lower  third  molars,  not  only  because  this  tooth 
is  the  one  most  frequently  impacted,  but  because  of  the  anatomical 
relations  of  its  roots  with  the  inferior  dental  nerve. 

In  the  milder  forms  of  impaction,  those  in  which  eruption,  though 
delayed,  is  subsequently  completed,  the  pains  are  commonly  local- 
ized and  associated  with  but  occasional  attacks  of  rigidity  of  the 
masseter  muscles.  If,  however,  the  crown  present  horizontally  or 
nearly  so,  and  its  progress  is  arrested  by  impaction  against  the 
posterior  wall  of  the  lower  molar,  or  if  its  progress  be  arrested  by 
permanent  imprisonment  of  the  advancing  crown  between  the  pos- 
terior surface  of  the  second  molar  and  the  base  of  the  coronoid 
process,  not  only  may  intense  local  pains  be  induced,  but  severe 
reflex  disturbances  of  both  a  sensory  and  motor  character  may  occur. 
In  some  of  these  cases  root  formation  is  completed,  although  the 

I  Boston  Medical  and  Surgical  Journal,  1867. 


PARALYSIS  OF  THE  SENSORY  TRACTS  723 

crown  of  the  tooth  does  not  advance,  in  which  case  compression  of 
the  inferior  dental  canal  and  its  contents  may  occur  and  cause  grave 
reflex  disturbances.  The  local  irritation  about  the  root,  due  to  root 
growth,  may  excite  continued  constructive  action  by  the  peri- 
cementum, and  the  hypertrophic  growth  in  its  turn  may  be  the 
source  of  reflex  neuralgias. 

Complete  imprisonment  of  the  entire  tooth  has  been  found  to  be 
the  exciting  cause  of  facial  neuralgias,  for  the  cure  of  which  extensive 
surgical  operations  have  been  performed. 

Impacted  cuspids  and  other  teeth  may  excite  no  other  symp- 
toms than  reflex  neuralgia.  The  possible  connection  between  an 
impacted  tooth  and  neuralgia  is  made  out  after  excluding  other 
dental  causes,  w^hen  it  may  be  observed  that  one  or  more  of  the 
permanent  teeth  are  absent  from  the  dental  arch,  at  dates  long  after 
their  normal  time  of  eruption. 

A  condition  equivalent  to  partial  impaction,  in  which  dental  irri- 
tation may  be  the  source  of  reflex  neuralgia,  is  seen  when  the  teeth 
are  crowded — jammed  into  arches  too  small  for  their  accommodation. 
During  the  period  of  eruption  severe  maxillary  pains  may  recur  at 
intervals.  The  diagnosis  is  by  means  of  the  .r-rays.  The  production 
of  insanity  as  a  reflex  condition  has  been  discussed  on  page  279. 


PHANTOM  ODONTALGIA 

This  is  a  form  of  neuralgia  in  which  symptoms  similar  to  tooth- 
ache appear  in  the  edentulous  jaws  or  in  locations  from  which  teeth 
have  been  extracted.  The  name  was  applied  by  J.  Foster  Flagg. 
It  seems  to  be  due  to  the  compression  of  nerve-endings  by  dense 
bone.  It  may,  of  course,  be  a  reflex  neurosis  from  some  other  focus 
of  pulp  or  pericemental  or  nerve  trunk  irritation. 

Any  history  obtainable  of  a  previous  local  inflammation  should 
be  obtained,  and  if  the  pain  is  localized  in  any  spot  the  bony  tissue 
may  be  broken  up  by  operation  with  a  view  to  removal  of  such  a 
cicatricial  inclusion  of  nerve  terminals.  At  least  in  troublesome 
cases  such  a  simple  operation  is  admissible. 


PARALYSIS  OF  THE  SENSORY  TRACTS 

The  operation  of  extraction  and  occasionally  disease  of  the  pulp 
and  pericementum  have  produced  a  temporary  paralysis  of  a  branch 
of  the  fifth  pair  and  loss  of  sensation  in  the  lip  or  cheek  may  result. 


724  REFLEX  DISORDERS  OF  DENTAL  ORIGIN 

So  far  as  observed  the  cases  are  of  not  more  than  a  few  months' 
duration  and  may  be  ameliorated  by  massage,  either  passive  or 
vibratory  or  by  faradization. 


PAIN  REFERRED  TO  NERVOUS  TRACTS  OTHER  THAN 
THE  FIFTH 

The  most  common  disturbance  appearing  in  other  cerebrospinal 
nerves  than  the  fifth,  due  to  dental  diseases,  is  an  affection  of  the 
eighth  or  auditory  nerve.  Cases  of  deafness  have  been  recorded  due 
to  diseases  of  both  pulp  and  pericementum,  notably  to  hyper- 
cementosis.  Deafness  which  has  persisted  for  a  long  period  has  been 
markedly  lessened  by  the  extraction  of  teeth  the  seat  of  disease. 
Cases  of  suppurative  otitis  media  have  been  regarded  as  having 
pathological  association  with  septic  diseases  about  the  teeth,  from 
the  fact  that  the  aural  trouble  subsided  immediately  after  extraction 
of  the  diseased  teeth. 

Sensory  disturbances  of  the  eye,  associated  with  dental  diseases, 
have  been  alluded  to;  in  addition  to  these,  grave  structural  and 
functional  diseases  of  the  eye,  traceable  to  dental  causes,  have  been 
recorded,  such  as  motor  and  trophic  disorders.^  Among  the  latter 
may  be  mentioned  corneal  inflammation  and  ulceration  and  phlyc- 
tenular conjunctivitis.  These  are  probably  due  in  part  to  reflex 
trophic  disturbances. 

Irregular  paralyses  of  the  third,  fourth,  and  sixth  nerves  of  the 
affected  side  have  been  noted. 

Amblyopia  and  functional  blindness  without  retinal  conditions 
to  account  for  it  have  been  found  to  arise  from  notably  advanced 
degenerative  changes  in  the  dental  pulp,  sight  returning  to  the  eye 
after  loss  of  a  diseased  tooth.  DeWitt^  records  a  most  instructive 
case  where  temporary  blindness  was  associated  with  septic  apical 
pericementitis,  disappearing  after  evacuation  of  the  abscess  and 
reappearing  when  secondary  inflammatory  action  arose  in  the  peri- 
cementum. The  ocular  affection  disappeared  permanently  and 
almost  entirely  with  the  loss. of  the  tooth.  The  history  of  this  case 
illustrates  the  important  causal  relationship  of  reflex  disturbances 
with  late  pulp  degenerations;  for  the  blindness  arose  two  months 
after  some  teeth  were  filled,  and  existed  for  twelve  years  before  the 
septic  apical  pericementitis  appeared. 

'  See  Brubaker,  American  System  of  Dentistry,  vol.  iii,  for  very  full  and  detailed  discussion 
of  these  subjects. 

2  Quoted  by  Brunton,  Disorders  of  Digestion. 


MOTOR  DISTURBANCES  FROM  DENTAL  DISEASES       725 

A  careful  examination  of  these  and  all  other  reflex  disturbances 
shows  that  pulp  degenerations  outnumber  all  other  affections  as 
causes.  Many  or  most  of  the  cases  are  recorded  by  general  prac- 
titioners, who  make  no  distinction  between  diseases  of  the  pulp  and 
those  of  the  pericementum,  but  a  reliable  diagnosis  of  the  conditions 
is  made  possible  by  the  accompanying  descriptions. 

Cases  of  ovarian  and  uterine  neuralgia  and  sciatica  and  cases  of 
obstinate  pains  in  the  knee,  toes,  and  fingers  have  been  traced  to 
dental  irritation  of  some  one  of  the  varieties  named,  the  proof  of 
association  being  disappearance  of  the  pain  with  loss  of  the  tooth, 
though  this  is  now  not  always  necessary  for  a  cure. 


MOTOR  DISTURBANCES  FROM  DENTAL  DISEASES 

Motor  disturbances  due  to  dental  irritation  may  occur  as  recurrent 
or  persistent  contraction  or  paralysis  of  muscles,  together  wdth  more 
or  less  chorea;  in  rare  instances  epilepsy  and  hystero-epilepsy. 
Twitching  of  muscles  of  the  affected  side  of  the  face,  ranging  from 
slight  affection  of  the  occipitofrontalis  or  orbicularis  palpebrarum 
to  recurring  spasm  of  the  elevators  and  depressors  of  the  lower  lip, 
are  far  from  uncommon  phenomena  attendant  upon  pulp  and  peri- 
cemental diseases.  In  one  case  mentioned  by  Guilford^  a  pulp 
nodule  was  the  cause  of  tic  douloureux  (painful  muscular  contrac- 
tions) of  two  years'  standing. 

Contraction  of  the  masseter  muscle  is  a  common  accompaniment 
of  retarded  eruption  of  the  lower  third  molar,  which  may  be  inten- 
sified until  the  condition  is  fitly  termed  trismus,  in  some  cases  of 
partial  impaction  of  the  teeth.  Partial  trismus  has  been  found  due 
to  a  general  overcrowding  of  the  dental  arch.^  Records  of  cases  of 
torticollis,  due  to  dental  diseases,  are  also  given  by  Brubaker. 

Cases  of  facial  paralysis,  and  cases  of  paralysis  of  one  arm,  of 
paraplegia  and  hemiplegia,  and  even  of  general  paralysis,  have  been 
noted  as  disappearing  after  the  extraction  of  diseased  teeth.  It  is 
noteworthy  that  in  these  cases,  as  well  as  in  several  cases  of  tetanus 
recorded,  the  probability  of  an  infection  entered  into  the  patho- 
genesis of  the  nervous  diseases. 

Stellwagen^  records  a  case  where  symptoms  of  partial  hemiplegia 
followed  upon  the  operation  of  capping  the  pulps  of  tw^o  molar 
teeth ;  the  symptoms  disappeared  promptly  upon  extraction  of  these 
teeth. 

'  Private  communication.  ^  Brubaker. 

'  Private  communication. 


726  REFLEX  DISORDERS  OF  DENTAL  ORIGIN 

Cases  of  insanity  arising  from  dental  diseases  have  been  recorded; 
they  were  both  maniacal  and  melancholic.  In  several  of  them  a 
restoration  to  a  normal  mental  state  followed  promptly  upon  removal 
of  the  offending  teeth.  In  some  of  these  cases  a  preexisting  maxillary 
neuralgia  directed  attention  to  the  teeth  as  possible  sources  of  the 
nervous  diseases. 

Dr.  E.  Ballard  Lodge^  reports  a  case  from  the  practices  of  Drs. 
Upson  and  Stephan  in  which  a  lady  had  suffered  from  acute  melan- 
cholia and  insomnia.  A  skiagraph  revealed  an  impacted  upper 
third  molar  pressing  against  the  distal  side  of  the  second  molar. 
Extraction  effected  a  cure.  Upson^  reports  a  number  of  like  cases, 
as  well  as  some  due  to  pulp  and  pericemental  disease.  The  local 
conditions  were  painless. 

Trophic  Disturbances  following  Dental  Diseases. — Two  cases  of 
localized  alopecia  (loss  of  hair)  have  been  reported^  obstinate  during 
the  dental  disease  and  cured  by  the  cure  of  a  pulpitis  in  one  case 
and  extraction  of  a  root  for  suppurative  pericementitis  in  the  other. 
Such  cases  show  a  vasomotor  disturbance  in  the  distant  part.  A 
case  of  facial  paralysis  followed  extraction  of  seven  roots  upon  one 
side.  It  was  successfully  treated  by  eight  applications  of  a  weak 
galvanic  current.^  Facial  paralysis  has  also  followed  the  eruption 
of  teeth,  as  of  a  second  molar.  Infantile  paralysis  has  also  been 
caused  by  dentition  (see  p.  194). 


DENTAL  PAIN  ARISING  FROM  OTHER  THAN  DENTAL  SOURCES 

Conditions  of  pain  the  reverse  of  those  discussed — i.  e.,  pain 
definitely  or  indefinitely  located  in  teeth  which  exhibit  no  morbid 
conditions  whatever — demand  occasional  attention  at  the  hands  of 
the  dentist. 

Chronic  malarial  poisoning,  as  stated  in  the  beginning  of  this 
chapter,  may  give  rise  to  periodical  attacks  of  maxillary  neuralgia. 
As  in  the  gouty  cases,  the  constitutional  cause  of  the  disturbance  is 
made  clear  through  the  therapeusis  most  effective,  viz.,  the  periodical 
recurrence  of  the  pain  leads  to  the  inference  of  a  malarial  origin,  and 
to  the  administration  of  quinin.  Anemia  and  other  conditions  in 
which  there  is  accumulation  of  products  of  metabolism  also  cause  it. 

Syphilitic  pains  in  the  jaws  have  a  pericemental  character,  and 
other  evidences  of  syphilis  are  present  which  point  to  a  diagnosis. 

Pains  in  or  about  the  teeth  are  occasional  accompaniments  of 

1  Dental  Summary,  1908.  2  Dental  Cosmos,  1910,  p.  526. 

'  Mounier:  Le  Laboratoire,  1907.  *  Griefswald:  Cosmos,  1906,  p.  356. 


DENTAL  PAIN  FROM  OTHER   THAN  DENTAL  SOURCES      727 

diseases  of  the  brain  or  its  vessels,  and  of  pregnancy  or  diseases  of 
the  uterus,  kidneys,  and  bladder. 

Disease  in  any  portion  of  the  fifth  cranial  nerve  may  cause  pain 
referred  to  the  teeth,  for  example,  inflammation  of  the  nerve  trunk, 
a  tumor  in  the  nerve,  or  a  tumor  pressing  upon  the  nerve  trunk, 
or  a  portion  of  fractured  bone  so  pressing,  or  a  cicatrix  contracting 
up  a  nerve. 

Dental  pain  during  pregnancy,  without  any  direct  evidence  of 
dental  disease,  is  relatively  common. 

Disorders  of  the  lower  bowels,  causing  constipation,  may  give  rise 
to  pain  referred  to  one  or  more  teeth,  the  pain  ceasing  promptly 
upon  the  administration  of  an  active  evacuant. 

La  grippe  occasionally  produces  antral  empyema  or  neuralgia 
about  the  dental  region  as  one  of  its  sequelae. 

Pain  may  appear  in  one  or  more  teeth  either  with  or  without 
association  with  pain  about  the  maxillae  or  tenderness  at  the  foramina 
of  emergence.  If  there  be  possible  causes  in  defective  teeth  or 
teeth  with  fillings  in  which  pulp  irritation  is  a  possibility,  there  may 
be  difficulty  of  diagnosis.  There  may  be  a  history  of  an  attack  of 
influenza  or  even  of  coryza,  with  the  common  variety  of  which 
dental  pains  are  often  associated. 

It  may  occur  after  la  grippe  has  seemed  to  have  disappeared.  The 
pain  is  at  first  generalized  over  the  entire  head,  but  gradually  local- 
ized in  one  or  several  upper  teeth,  more  frequently  in  the  second 
molar,  occasionally  the  bicuspids.  It  sometimes  is  so  severe  that 
the  patient  thinks  an  abscess  is  forming. 

There  is  almost  always  pain  in  the  molar  region  when  pressure  is 
made  upon  the  inner  alveolar  portion  of  the  hard  palate,  and  sensi- 
tivity of  the  external  alveolar  region. 

For  the  pseudoodontalgia  Roy  recommends  a  capsule  containing 
the  following: 

^ — Antipyrin gr.  vij 

Quinine  hydrobromid gr.  iij 

Sodium  bicarbonate gr.  iij 

Sig. — One  dose.    Increase  and  prescribe  four  times  a  day. 

Locally  he  recommends: 

^ — Mentholis gr.  x 

Acidi  borici 3iij 

Vaselini 5J — M- 

Sig. — A  small  portion  to  be  applied  within  the  nostrils  on  rising  and  retiring. 

Treatment  of  Facial  Neuralgia. — The  cause  should  be  sought  for, 
and,  if  possible,  removed.    If  due  to  disease  of  the  teeth,  these  should 


728  REFLEX  DISORDERS  OF  DENTAL  ORIGIN 

be  relieved;  if  due  to  eye  disease,  or  other  cause,  this  should  receive 
attention.  Should  one  not  discover  the  cause,  yet  desire  to  afford 
a  relief  pending  its  discovery,  the  accepted  remedies  antipyrin, 
acetanilid,  and  phenacetin,  combined  with  caffein  or  the  bromids, 
are  useful. 

IJ — Antipyrini  (vel  phenacetini  vel  acetanilidi) 5J 

Caffeinse  citratis gr.  x 

Potassii  bromidi 3iij — M. 

Ft.  in  chart  No.  x. 

Sig. — One  every  thirty  minutes  until  reUeved      (Hare.) 

If  the  patient  be  constipated,  the  bowel  should  be  freed  of  toxic 
substances  by  the  use  of  castor  oil,  repeated  as  necessary.  Castor 
oil  in  small  doses  is  antineuralgic. 

In  obstinate  neuralgia  and  other  painful  affections  with  unremov- 
able cause,  the  application  of  the  a;-rays  has  been  urged  by  Morton 
as  highly  efficacious  in  relieving  pain  often  for  a  considerable  time. 
The  blue  ray  is  also  used.  A  remedy  of  exceedingly  simple  nature 
was  introduced  by  Verge  and  Pitres  in  1902,  It  consists  of  injecting 
into  the  mucous  membrane  or  skin,  about  where  the  pain  seems  to 
originate,  1  cm.  of  alcohol  (85  per  cent,  plus  1  per  cent,  cocain  is 
preferred  by  Lenson)  at  the  temperature  of  60°  C.  by  means  of  a 
hypodermic  syringe.    Asepsis  must  be  provided  for. 

A  slight  humming  sensation  and  swelling  of  tissue  occurs  about  the 
area  of  injection.  The  pain  disappears  for  a  long  period  after  one 
or  two  injections  a  week  apart. 

A  deep  injection  also  relieves.  A  case  in  which  the  face  became 
black  on  the  side  of  injection  was  also  followed  by  relief  and  sub- 
sidence of  the  congestion.  The  method  has  been  objected  to  by  some. 
It  has  been  recorded  that  myosis,  and  prickly  or  tingling  sensation 
or  paralysis  of  the  part  or  nearby  muscles  of  temporary  nature  are 
by-effects. 

Aconitin  internally  in  minute  doses  is  also  antineuralgic.  Injection 
of  the  nerve  trunk  with  dilute  osmic  acid  has  been  practised  by 
surgeons.  Strychnin  in  fairly  large  doses  has  been  employed  under 
medical  supervision.  When  the  cause  cannot  be  determined  the 
nerve  itself  may  be  resected. 


CHAPTER    XXVII 

INFECTIONS  OF  AND  FROM  THE  MOUTH,  AND  STERILIZATION 

The  conditions  found  in  the  human  mouth,  as  pointed  out  in 
Chapter  III,  are  of  a  character  which  afford  lodgement  to,  and 
opportunities  for  multipHcation  of,  many  forms  of  bacteria,  both 
saprophytic  and  parasitic.  The  oral  conditions  are,  however,  not 
entirely  constant,  so  that  at  different  periods  they  may  favor  the 
development  of  some  special  bacterial  forms  more  than  others.  The 
nature  of  these  variations  has  not  been  made  out,  although  their 
effects  are  indubitable.  Again,  the  oral  bacterial  inhabitants  are 
not  constant  as  to  species,  for  while  there  are  many  forms  which 
appear  to  be  invariable  occupants  of  the  oral  cavity,  man}'  patho- 
genic forms  are  but  accidental  residents.  Becoming  resident,  they 
may  or  may  not  develop  according  as  they  find  in  the  mouth  a  suit- 
able soil.  The  nature  of  what  constitutes  a  suitable  or  unsuitable 
soil  has  not  been  determined,  although  in  some  cases  extra-oral 
culture  experiments  furnish  some  indications. 

Bacterial  growths,  as  causes  of  dental  caries  and  diseases  of  the 
pulp  and  pericementum,  have  been  discussed  in  connection  with 
those  several  diseases.  It  was  shown  that  the  pyogenic  cocci  are 
almost  constant  inhabitants  of  the  human  mouth.  There  appeared 
also  evidence  that  some  of  the  reflex  disorders  of  distant  parts  are 
directly  traceable  to  septic  processes  about  the  teeth,  and,  in  addition 
to  these,  suppurative  diseases  in  other  parts  become  curable  after 
removal  of  a  septic  tooth,  such  conditions  representing  infection  from 
a  local  dental  infection,  an  important  aspect  of  dental  pathology. 

The  notable  fungus  of  the  blastomycetes  is  the  saccharomyces 
albicans;  this  organism,  when  classified  by  mycologists  as  a  thread 
fungus,  was  known  as  the  oidium  albicans  (Fig.  667).  The  growth 
of  this  organism  illustrates  forcibly  the  influence  of  soil  on  the 
growth  of  fungi.  It  does  not  occur  in  the  mouths  of  healthy,  well- 
nourished,  and  clean  children  with  good  surroundings.  It  is  a  disease 
of  childhood,  particularly  of  nurslings,  and  its  occurrence  is  almost 
always  confined  to  bottle-fed  babies  whose  feeding  bottles  are  kept 
in  an  unclean  condition.  Debility  of  the  oral  tissues  is  established 
in  consequence  of  the  fermentations  arising  from  the  source  just 
named,  furnishing  a  favorable  condition  for  the  development  of  the 


730 


INFECTIONS  OF  AND  FROM   THE  MOUTH 


saccharomyces  (oidium)  albicans.  The  condition  produced  is  known 
as  thrush.  The  infection  may  be  carried  from  one  child  to  another, 
and  if  the  fungus  be  brought  in  contact  with  an  abraded  mucous 
surface  of  an  adult  it  may  develop. 


Fig.  667 


Fig.  668 


Saccharomyces  albicans,  thrush  fungus.     (Miller.) 

The  fungus  burrows  between  the 
epithelial  cells  of  the  mucous  mem- 
brane (Fig.  668),  not  beyond  it.  It 
first  appears  in  small  spots  which 
coalesce,  until  large  patches-  of  a 
membranous-like  growth  cover  exten- 
sive surfaces,  spreading  by  continuity 
to  all  of  the  mucous  surfaces  asso- 
ciated with  the-  mouth. 

As  bud  fungi  flourish  only  in  media 
of  acid  reaction,  the  use  of  alkaline 
washes  is  indicated  in  the  treatment 
of  this  condition.  Wiping  the  patches 
with  dilute  phenol-sodique  is  effica- 
cious. Small  spots  may  be  cauterized  with  silver  nitrate  or  trichlor- 
acetic acid. 

Hydrogen  dioxid  or  25  per  cent,  iodin  in  glycerin  are  also  useful. 


Pavement  epithelium  covered  with 
spores  of  the  odium  albicans.  (Ch. 
Robin.) 


INFECTIVE  BACTERIA  OF  THE  MOUTH 


Bacteria,  being  ever  present,  must  always  play  a  part  in  either 
originating,  modifying,  or  associating  with  all  oral  diseases. 

That  the  progressive  decomposition  of  albuminous  substances, 
always  present  in  the  mouth  to  a  greater  or  less  degree,  by  the 
action  of  saprophytic  fungi,  must  give  rise  to  derivatives  of  albumin. 


STOMATITIS  731 

many  of  them  toxic  in  effect,  would  be  surmised  even  in  the  absence 
of  experimental  demonstration,  a  suspicion  confirmed  by  experiment. 
Vulpian^  produced  septicemia  by  vaccinating  animals  with  the  , 
saliva  of  a  healthy  man.  Griffin^  showed  that  the  parotid  saliva 
(pure)  is  harmless.  The  saliva,  if  boiled,  exerts  no  toxic  action, 
from  which  it  is  clear  that  it  derives  its  toxic  substances  from  the 
mouth.  The  saliva  of  individuals  differs  at  times  in  the  degree  of  its 
poisonous  action.    In  some  diseases  it  becomes  intensely  toxic. 

Of  the  many  oral  bacterial  forms,  some  are  cultivable  and  some 
are  not;  hence  the  specific  effects  of  some  are  discovered,  others  are 
doubtful. 

With  regard  to  local  affections,  other  than  those  described  in  the 
body  of  this  book,  a  bacterial  causation  has  been  made  out  in  some, 
but  in  others  it  has  not. 


STOMATITIS 

Definition. — By  stomatitis  is  meant  an  inflammation  of  the  mucous 
membrane  of  the  mouth.  If  secretion  is  markedly  increased  it  may 
be  termed  catarrhal  stomatitis. 

Varieties.— It  may  be  localized,  as  in  marginal  gingivitis,  or  be 
diffuse;  and,  again,  be  accompanied  by  localized  tissue  destructions — 
ulcerations;  the  character  of  the  ulceration  differs  according  to  its 
probable  causes. 

Occurrence. — ^Most  of  these  diseases  belong  to  the  period  of  child- 
hood, although  localized  ulcerative  stomatitis  may  appear  in  the 
adult. 

Causes. — The  causes  of  stomatitis  are  so  many  and  varied  as  to 
suggest  a  classification  under  heads  according  to  assignable  causes. 
While  it  is  true  that  bacterial  infection  has  not  been  shown  to  be  a 
direct  cause  of  all  of  these  conditions,  some  degree  of  causal  relation- 
ship is  probable  in  all  of  them.  The  disease  may,  however,  be 
included  under  two  heads  according  as  they  are  or  are  not  localized, 
and  necrotic.  The  less  localized  cases  appear  as  a  diffuse  catarrhal 
affection,  affecting  wide  areas  of  the  oral  mucous  membrane;  the 
others  appear  as  spots  of  localized  tissue  destruction  attended  by 
surrounding  hyperemia. 

1  Quoted  by  Miller. 

2  Ibid. 


732  INFECTIONS  OF  AND  FROM  THE  MOUTH 

Simple. 


Catarrhal  stomatitis 


Local 


Symptomatic 


Ulcerative  stomatitis 


Local 


Symptomatic 


Fermentations. 

Diphtheria. 

Gonorrhea. 


Infective 

Eruptive  fevers. 
Syphilis. 
Tuberculosis. 
Typhoid  fever. 

Drug  action  . 


Aphthae. 

Thrush. 

Noma  and  gangrenous  stomatitis. 

Herpes. 

Syphilis  (primary). 

Secondary. 
Tertiary. 


Syphilis    .      .      .      . 
Gonorrhea. 
Tuberculosis  (local). 
Scurvy. 


Simple  Local  Catarrhal  Stomatitis. ^ — The  general  symptoms  of 
catarrhal  inflammation — heat  and  swelling,  with  deepened  color  of 
the  mucous  membrane,  followed  by  increased  secretion  and  exudation 
— attend  several  types  of  oral  irritation,  such  as  the  irritation  induced 
by  erupting  teeth,  particularly  of  the  deciduous  teeth.  Inflamma- 
tion of  any  degree  may  follow  the  taking  into  the  mouth  of  caustic 
chemical  substances,  such  as  caustic  alkalies,  mineral  acids,  carbolic 
acids,  etc.,  which  are  occasionally  taken  by  children.  Other  irritant 
drugs  and  very  hot  fluids  may  produce  similar  results.  General 
catarrhal  stomatitis  is  a  frequent  affection  of  confirmed  smokers, 
and  of  drinkers  of  distifled  liquors. 

The  cure  of  these  conditions  consists  in  the  removal  or  neutrali- 
zation of  the  cause,  and  the  use  of  local  sedatives  and  antiseptics  to 
allay  irritation  and  prevent  infection.  The  most  effective  method 
of  treating  the  inflammatory  condition  is  by  antiseptic  sprays,  such 
as  diluted  Dobell's  solution,  followed  by  sprays  of  strong  solutions 
of  potassium  chlorate.  If  much  pain  exist,  phenol-sodique  is  an 
admirable  sedative  antiseptic,  used  in  10  to  20  per  cent,  solution,  as 
a  spray. 

Infective  Local  Catarrhal  Stomatitis. — This  in  some  degree  is  a 
common,  perhaps  the  necessary,  antecedent  condition  to  many  of 
the  ulcerative  forms  of  stomatitis.  It  is  probable  that  many  of  the 
cases  of  stomatitis  found  in  infants,  children,  and  adults  are  due  to 
unusual  fermentations  occurring  in  the  mouth.  Children  whose 
nursing  bottles  are  not  kept  clean;  those  who  at  a  later  age  suffer 
from  neglect  of  the  teeth  and  from  the  effects  of  improper  food; 
adults  in  whose  mouths  dental  disease  is  widespread,  and  whose 


STOMATITIS  733 

oral  hygiene  is  very  faulty;  all  exhibit  abnormal  conditions  of  the 
oral  mucous  membrane — more  or  less  swelling,  softness,  and  deepened 
color  of  the  mucous  membrane,  a  coated  tongue,  and  offensive 
breath,  with  an  increase  of  oral  secretions. 

The  complexus  of  oral  symptoms  is  commonly,  and  also  by  the 
general  practitioner,  regarded  as  symptomatic  of  gastric,  intestinal, 
and  hepatic  disorders,  as  doubtless  they  are,  but  the  causal  relation- 
ship is  in  many  cases  probably  the  reverse  of  that  implied  in  such 
opinions,  for  it  is  probable  that  the  disturbances  of  digestion  are 
fermentative  in  character,  and  the  organisms  causing  them  find  their 
way  to  the  stomach  from  the  mouth,  which  was  first  affected.  The 
treatment  of  this  condition  consists  in  the  correction  of  its  causes, 
their  non-repetition,  and  the  continued  use  of  oral  antiseptics. 

^Yhile  the  point  of  first  attack  of  the  diphtheria  bacillus  is  most 
marked  about  the  soft  palate  and  tonsils,  the  false  membrane  form- 
ing there  and  spreading  to  the  pharynx,  more  or  less  general  inflam- 
mation of  the  oral  mucous  membrane  also  occurs.  The  gonococcus 
may  be  lodged  in  some  portion  of  the  oral  cavity  and  excite  its 
specific  effects  upon  contiguous  mucous  membranes. 

Symptomatic  Catarrhal  Stomatitis. — Stomatitis  in  its  catarrhal 
form  usually  accompanies  the  early  and  later  stages  of  the  eruptive 
fevers,  scarlet  fever,  smallpox,  etc.  In  scarlet  fever  and  smallpox 
evidences  of  direct  infection  of  the  mouth  exist  and  the  inflammatory 
reaction  is  pronounced. 

Catarrhal  stomatitis  is  one  of  the  manifestations  of  secondary 
and  tertiary  syphilis,  antedating  the  appearance  of  tissue  necrosis 
(ulcerations) . 

^Nlore  or  less  catarrhal  stomatitis,  confined,  it  may  be,  to  the 
mucous  membrane  of  the  gums,  is  common  in  the  mouths  of 
phthisical  patients;  tubercular  ulcers  may  arise  or  threaten.  In 
some  cases  the  palate  has  been  perforated.  Curtis  states  that  these 
are  usually  fatal. 

The  stomatitis  of  typhoid  fever  may  be  regarded  as  an  almost 
essential  feature  of  the  disease. 

The  effects  of  drug  elimination  by  the  oral  tissues  have  been 
already  discussed  (see  p.  618). 

^Mercurials  in  excess  produce  gingivitis  with  puffy  gums  which 
bleed  readily;  there  is  coated  tongue,  fetid  breath  in  marked  cases, 
swollen  tongue  and  cheeks,  and  exfoliation  of  the  teeth.  The  history 
of  administration  of  mercurials,  and,  possibly,  of  syphilis,  as  a  reason 
for  it  affords  a  diagnosis.  The  mercury  should  be  stopped;  atropin 
sulphate,  5  minims  of  a  1-grain  to  1-ounce  solution  in  water,  admin- 
istered as  an  antisialagogue  every  four  to  six  hours;  a  5  per  cent. 


734  INFECTIONS  OF  AND  FROM  THE  MOUTH 

potassium  chlorate  solution  in  hydrogen  dioxid  makes  a  useful 
mouth  wash  for  reducing  the  local  inflammation. 

Ulcerative  Stomatitis. — It  has  been  customary  to  describe  ulcera- 
tive stomatitis  as  simple  and  infective;  in  all  probability  these  ulcera- 
tions are  always  infective.  Like  catarrhal  stomatitis  the  ulcerative 
disease  may  have  only  a  local  significance  or  be  indicative  of  some 
general  disease. 

Ulcerative  Stomatitis  of  Local  Significance.— The  more  usual  or 
infantile  forms  of  these  disorders  are  a  sequel  of  catarrhal  stomatitis, 
at  least  of  an  acquired  debility  of  the  oral  tissues,  and  their  primary 
cause  is,  therefore,  the  cause  producing  a  condition  of  mucous  mem- 
brane which  permits  the  growth  of  infective  organisms.  One  of  these 
diseases,  thrush,  has  already  been  described.  The  others,  aphthae, 
herpes  labialis,  and  noma,  are  all  probably  due  to  the  action  of 
organisms. 

Aphthae. — This  affection  is  common  in  its  isolated  form,  as  the 
canker  sore.  In  the  catarrhal  stomatitis  of  children,  during  or  after 
dentition,  multiple  sores  frequently  make  their  appearance.  The 
condition  can  best  be  studied  when  it  appears  as  an  isolated  sore  in 
the  mouth  of  the  adult.  The  most  common  situation  of  the  sore  is 
at  the  junction  of  two  mucous  surfaces,  such  as  that  of  the  gum  with 
the  lip  or  cheek,  or  that  of  the  floor  of  the  mouth  with  the  gum  or 
tongue.  Redness  diffused  over  a  limited  area,  followed  by  a  nodular 
hardening,  occurs,  during  which  local  pain  is  annoying;  the  centre 
of  the  hardened  area  breaks,  the  epithelium  disappearing,  forming  a 
raw  surface,  which  quickly  acquires  a  rough,  yellowish  white  coating 
which  is  easily  removable.    The  sores  are  very  painful. 

The  mouth  is  usually  otherwise  healthy,  and  there  is  an  absence 
of  associated  throat  and  skin  affections. 

This  condition  follows  so  constantly  upon  the  taking  of  very 
indigestible  food,,  such  as  lobster,  Welsh  rarebit,  etc.,  that  acute 
indigestion  must  be  regarded  as  having  some  causal  relationship 
with  it.  It  is  also  of  frequent  occurrence  in  the  mouths  of  dyspeptics ; 
that  form  of  gastric  disturbance  attended  with  a  deficiency  of  hydro- 
chloric acid  in  the  gastric  juice  appears  to  have  a  constant  association 
with  it,  though  it  is  probably  caused  by  the  oidium  albicans. 

The  appearance  of  ulcerative  stomatitis  in  children,  together  with 
its  treatment,  was  discussed  in  the  chapter  on  Dentition. 

The  general  treatment  of  these  ulcerations  appearing  in  the  mouths 
of  children  is  the  administration  of  a  laxative,  and  the  subsequent 
administration  of  listerine,  gtt.  x,  every  two  hours.  Locally  the 
mucous  membrane  is  to  be  sprayed  with  hydrogen  dioxid,  followed 
by  sprays  of  strong  solutions  of  potassium  chlorate. 


NOMA,   CANCRUM  ORIS,   GANGRENE  OF   THE  MOUTH     735 

Localized  aphthous  patches  in  the  adult  are  ])romptly  relieved  by 
the  administration  of  calomel,  gr.  ij,  at  night,  followed  in  the  morning 
by  a  mild  saline.  The  local  sore  is  dried  and  touched  with  pure 
carbolic  acid.  The  administration  of  alkalies  before  meals,  and 
hydrochloric  acid  after  meals,  usually  remedies  the  gastric  condition, 
unless  it  be  of  long  standing. 

A  variety  of  aphthous  sore  is  called,  from  the  anatomical  situation 
of  the  ulcers,  follicular  stomatitis.  Irritation  and  swelling  of  the 
mucous  follicles  in  the  palatal,  buccal,  and  labial  mucous  membrane 
are  accompanied  by  more  or  less  localized  inflammation;  the  follicles 
become  ulcerous,  the  small  ulcers  having  a  uniform  size.  This  con- 
dition quickly  disappears  under  the  treatment  advised  for  ulcerative 
stomatitis.  An  indication  of  the  bacterial  origin  of  all  of  these  dis- 
turbances is  seen  in  the  efficacy  of  antiseptics  used  in  their  treatment. 

A  form  of  stomatitis  is  due  to  artificial  dentures  resting  upon 
the  mucous  membrane,  and  either  by  pressure  or  light  friction,  or 
possibly  by  preventing  radiation  of  heat,  they  cause  desquamation  of 
the  epithelium.  The  part  beneath  the  plate  assumes  a  more  or  less 
reddened  or  ulcerated  appearance.  Vulcanite  plates  that  are  not 
smooth  upon  their  surfaces  of  adaptation  may  produce  this  physical 
irritation,  but  oftentimes  such  surfaces  are  covered  with  infective 
mucous  plaques,  so  that  this  may  in  some  cases  be  an  added  cause. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  consists  of  rest  and  healing  mouth 
washes.     Antiseptics  are  usually  included.     (See  Gingivitis.) 

Stomatitis  Aphthosa  Epizootica.^ — This  is  the  oral  expression 
of  foot-and-mouth  disease  occurring  in  cattle  and  rarely  fatal,  and 
usually  lasting  about  eight  weeks.  The  germ  is  not  fully  determined 
as  yet. 

Diagnosis. — The  diagnosis  rests  upon  the  presence  of  the  disease  in 
nearby  cattle  and  the  prodromata  and  later  presence  of  fever,  pustules 
on  the  mucous  membranes  of  the  lips,  tongue,  and  sometimes  on 
the  hard  palate  and  throat,  occasionally  between  fingers,  around 
nails,  or  on  nipples.  These  later  burst,  leaving  ulcers  with  a  grayish 
yellow  coating.  The  pustules  dry  up  without  scars  in  the  second 
week. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  rests  upon  antisepsis  in  so  far  as  the 
local  manifestations  are  concerned. 


NOMA,  CANCRUM  ORIS,  GANGRENE  OF  THE  MOUTH 

In  ill-fed,  ill-nourished,  and  ill-kept  cachectic  children,  the  debili- 
tation of  the  oral  tissues  may  exceed  the  grades  given,  and  a  disease, 

1  Lartschneider:  Dental  Cosmos,  1908,  p.  880. 


736 


INFECTIONS  OF  AND  FROM  THE  MOUTH 


probably  bacterial  in  origin,  may  arise  which  leads  to  widespread 
necrosis  of  the  cheeks  and  maxillae.  The  condition  is  called  gangrene 
of  the  mouth,  noma,  or  cancrum  oris;  the  latter  term  has  been  applied 
to  the  less  severe  varieties.  Hillesen  obtained  a  diplococcus  which 
developed  in  pure  culture,  produced  noma  in  an  animal  into  which 
it  was  injected,  and  from  the  lesion  a  pure  culture  of  it  was  obtained 
which  in  like  manner  was  put  through  four  animals.^ 

Fig.  669 


Noma.     (J.  Lewis  Smith.) 


This  disease  may  make  its  appearance  as  an  ulcer  at  the  junction 
of  cheek  and  gum;  in  other  cases  a  severe  stomatitis  arises  without 
a  primary  ulcer.  A  greater  or  less  extent  of  the  cheek  acquires  a 
board-like  hardness,  becoming  livid;  the  overlying  mucous  mem- 
brane breaks,  exhibiting  a  large  slough.  The  necrosis  extends  toward 
cheek  and  jaw,  destroying  further  tissue.  The  sloughs  undergo 
putrefactive  decomposition,  emitting  a  stench.  The  destruction  of 
tissue  may  be  arrested,  or  may  proceed,  destroying  in  a  few  days 
the  entire  cheek  and  bony  tissues.  In  the  more  severe  cases  the 
disease  is  almost  invariably  fatal,  because  the  extent  of  the  tissue 
destruction  bears  a  constant  relation  to  the  underlying  debility  of 
the  patient.  It  will  be  seen  that  the  disease  resembles  malignant 
pustule  or  carbuncle  in  several  of  its  features. 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1908,  p.  180. 


SYPHILITIC  AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  MOUTH  737 

While  no  specific  organism  has  been  isolated  as  pathogenic  of  this 
condition,  Schimmelbusch^  found  a  bacillus  (pure  culture)  ui)on  the 
borders  of  the  necrosis  which  may  prove  pathogenic  of  noma. 

These  cases  are  purely  medical;  so  that  their  full  discussion  is  not 
warranted  in  these  pages.  The  principle  of  treatment  is  to  improve 
the  general  condition  of  the  child,  destroy  the  probable  infection 
in  the  borders  of  the  still  vital  tissue  by  cauterization,  and  promote 
sloughing  of  the  necrosed  tissue  by  the  use  of  antiseptic  applications. 

Dr.  L.  Fisher  (New  York)  reported  a  case  upon  the  inside  of  the 
cheek,  cured  by  applications  of  ichthyol  in  lanolin  four  times  a  day 
over  the  entire  area.^ 


SYPHILITIC  AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  MOUTH 

The  recognition  of  syphilitic  lesions  about  the  mouth  is  of  vital 
importance  to  the  dental  operator,  first,  because  by  the  recognition 
he  may  take  steps  to  prevent  the  carriage  of  infection  to  innocent 
patients;  and  secondly,  that  he  may  avoid  inoculation  of  himself 
by  the  poison. 

In  the  minds  of  many,  syphilis  is  associated  with  the  lower  class  of 
persons,  who  are  confirmed  debauches.  While  it  is  undoubtedly  true 
that  its  prevalence  is  most  marked  in  this  class  of  persons,  it  appears, 
and  with  horrible  frequence,  in  persons  who  would  be  little  suspected 
of  having  such  infection.  The  operator  is  to  be  guided  in  his  opinions 
and  precautions  in  this  matter,  not  by  the  social  status  of  the  patient, 
but  by  the  nature  of  the  morbid  conditions  existing. 

The  cause  of  syphilis  is  the  Spirocheta  pallida  discovered  by 
Schaudin  and  Hoffman,  and  present  in  its  lesions,  transmitted  from 
one  person  to  another  directly  or  through  the  medium  of  an  inani- 
mate object  which  has  been  infected. 

The  diagnosis  may  be  made  by  microscopic  examination.  The 
sore  is  washed  and  the  serum  later  exuded  used  to  make  a  smear  on 
a  glass  slide.  This  is  first  dried  in  the  air,  then  stained  with  Hastings' 
stain.  After  a  minute  distilled  water  is  added  until  a  metallic  film 
is  formed.  After  five  minutes  more  they  are  washed  in  running  water 
and  dried.    The  Spirocheta  pallida  stains  a  faint  blue.^ 

Syphilis  is  usually  divided  into  three  stages,  primary,  secondary, 
and  tertiary;  to  these  may  be  added  a  fourth  stage,  viz.,  in  patients 
who  have  been  discharged  as  cured  mild  manifestations  of  disorders, 
particularly  of  the  skin  and  mucous  membranes,  make  their  appear- 

i  Miller:  Dental  Cosmos,  September,  1891.  2  Dental  Cosmos,  1902. 

'  McKee:  Dental  Cosmos,  1909,  p.  1437. 
47 


738  INFECTIONS  OF  AND  FROM   THE  MOUTH 

ance  from  time  to  time,  and  disappear  promptly  upon  the  adminis- 
tration of  iodids. 

The  first  stage  of  syphihs — primary  syphiHs^consists  in  the  form- 
ation of  the  primary  sore  or  chancre,  and  the  involvement  of  the 
nearest  lymphatic  glands.  Secondary  syphilis  is  attended  by  fever, 
eruptive  inflammations  of  the  skin,  inflammation  and  superficial 
ulceration  of  mucous  structures.  In  tertiary  syphilis  destructive 
inflammation  of  the  skin,  mucous  membranes,  and  connective  tissue 
occurs,  together  with  the  formation  of  specific  tumors — gummata. 

Some  differences  of  opinion  exist  among  syphilographers  as  to  the 
relative  infective  power  of  the  secretions  from  the  several  lesions 
of  syphilis.  All  are  agreed,  however,  that  the  secretions  from  the 
secondary  lesions  observed  in  and  about  the  mouth  are  highly 
infective.  It  is  the  part  of  prudence  to  regard  all  syphilitic  lesions 
as  infective.  All  these  stages  of  syphilis  may  be  seen  in  the  human 
mouth.  It  is  to  be  remembered  that  if  the  mucous  membrane  of 
the  mouth  be  infected  from  a  mucous  patch  (a  secondary  lesion), 
the  acquired  disease  will  appear,  not  as  a  mucous  patch,  but  as  a 
chancre.  It  is  from  mucous  patches  that  infection  is  most  to  be 
feared. 

Primary  Syphilis  of  the  Mouth. — Causes.— The  primary  lesion  of 
syphilis,  chancre,  when  found  in  the  mouth  is  a  consequence  of  direct 
infection  from  a  syphilitic.  The  infection  occurs  from  contact 
of  the  mucous  surface  of  the  mouth  with  a  syphilitic  lesion  upon 
another  person:  It  has  been  transmitted  by  kissing;  it  may  occur 
from  using  a  glass  or  cup  previously  used  by  a  syphilitic,  by  smoking 
cigars  or  cigarettes  which  have  been  made  by  syphilitic  cigarmakers, 
who  have  applied  the  tongue  to  the  tobacco  in  attaching  the  wrapper. 
Any  of  the  articles  named,  or  the  contact  of  any  article  which  has 
been  in  contact  with  a  syphilitic  lesion,  if  brought  in  contact  with  an 
abraded  mucous  surface,  may  cause  infection.^ 

The  infection  may  be  transferred  from  patient  to  operator  if  the 
fingers  have  any  abraded  surface,  or  if  the  surface  is  broken  acci- 
dentally by  an  instrument.  Infection  may  be  transmitted  from  one 
patient  to  another  by  any  instrument,  appliance,  or  article  used  by 
a  syphilitic  being  afterward  used  by  an  innocent  person.  Drinking 
glasses,  mouth  mirrors,  exploring  instruments,  rubber  dam,  rubber 
dam  clamps,  saliva-ejector  tubes,  lancets,  forceps,  or  any  other 
instruments  may  be  the  medium  of  communication.     During  and 

1  Metchnikoff  and  Roux  found  that  an  ointment  composed  of  10  parts  calomel  and  20  parts, 
lanolin,  applied  by  inunction  to  an  intentionally  infected  part,  prevented  the  appearance  of  syphil- 
itic infection  if  used  within  one  hour  after  inoculation.  Mercuric  chlorid  was  of  no  avail.  Dental 
Cosmos,  1907,  p.  1007. 


SYPHILITIC  AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  MOUTH  739 

since  the  time  of  Hunter  the  use  of  teeth  from  syi)hilitic  patients 
in  plantation  operations  has  been  a  clearly  recognized  medium  of 
communication.  About  32  per  cent,  of  all  primary  chancres  appear 
within  the  dental  field  either  upon  the  lips  or  within  the  mouth. 
Dentists  have  been  inoculated  upon  the  hand. 

Appearances  and  Diagnosis. — "The  primary  lesion  of  syphilis 
never  makes  its  appearance  before  ten  days  after  infection;  the 
maximum  period  is  about  ninety  days;  the  average  is  twenty-one 
days."i 

It  usually  appears  as  a  single,  elevated,  hard  papule.  In  cases  of 
dental  infection,  most  frequently  about  the  lips,  the  papule  loses  its 
epithelial  coating  after  some  days.  The  induration  surrounding  the 
papular  mass  increases  until  the  papule,  which  is  now  raw  and  in  a 
process  of  ulceration,  appears  surrounded  by  a  ring  of  cartilaginous 
hardness.  This  induration  is  the  one  distinguishing  feature  of  the 
chancre,  which  is  not  painful.  In  about  a  week  after  the  appearance 
of  the  primary  sore,  swelling  of  the  submaxillary  lymphatic  glands  is 
observed.  In  case  the  chancre  appears  upon  the  tongue,  the  sub- 
hyoid lymphatic  glands  are  swollen.-  Unless  pyogenic  infection  has 
occurred,  the  lymphatic  involvement  is  not  inflammatory,  there 
being  no  pain  present.  In  from  three  to  four  weeks  the  sore  disap- 
pears, leaving  no  signs  of  its  site  in  some  cases;  in  others,  some 
induration  may  persist. 

The  diagnosis  of  this  condition  is  the  important  consideration,  so 
far  as  the  dental  practitioner  is  concerned,  its  tceatment  being  the 
province  of  the  general  surgeon. 

The  elevation  of  the  sore,  its  induration,  and,  if  obtainable,  the 
time  of  inoculation,  are  diagnostic  data.  The  sore  is  single,  as  a 
rule,  and  there  is  hard,  nodular,  painless  sw^elling  of  the  neighboring 
lymphatics.  A  single  ulcer  of  ulcerative  stomatitis  may  in  some 
degree  simulate  the  appearance  of  a  very  small  chancre.  It  may 
exhibit  slight  induration,  but  its  irregular  form,  situation,  painful- 
ness,  and  the  usual  absence  of  lymphatic  involvement,  together 
with  its  prompt  disappearance  after  sterilizing  the  mouth  and  cauter- 
izing the  ulcer,  will  differentiate  the  two  sores.  If  the  chancre  be 
upon  the  tip  or  sides  of  the  tongue,  where  it  is  subjected  to  irritation, 
it  may  become  very  large  and  bear  a  close  resemblance  to  epithelioma 
of  that  organ.  In  epithelioma  there  are  apt  to  be  pains  of  a  lancin- 
ating character,  the  induration  follows  ulceration,  and  the  ulcer  has 
hard  edges  and  often  a  warty-like  growth. 

It  is  a  wise  precaution  to  view  all  sores  about  the  mouth  as  possibly 

'  Gross:    System  of  Surgery.  -  Park:  Surgery. 


740  INFECTIONS  OF  AND  FROM   THE  MOUTH 

infectious.    All  errors  of  diagnosis  in  this  direction  will  be  more  than 
compensated  for  by  the  assurance  of  non-transference  of  infection. 

Secondary  Syphilis  of  the  Mouth. — The  secondary  manifestations 
of  syphilis  are  observed  in  and  about  the  mouth,  no  matter  what  the 
location  of  the  primary  lesion  may  have  been;  they  are  the  result  of 
a  general,  not  a  local,  infection. 


Chancre  of  the  Up. 

Secondary  infections  of  the  mucous  tissues  appear  in  from  four 
to  twelve  weeks  after  the  appearance  of  the  primary  lesion.  Sore 
throat,  due  to  inflammation  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  pharynx 
and  parts  about,  is  almost  constant;  together  with  syphilitic  hoarse- 
ness, due  to  the  extension  of  the  affection  to  the  mucous  membrane 
of  the  larynx. 

The  appearance  of  copper-colored  areas  upon  some  portion  of  the 
mucous  membrane,  on  the  tonsil,  pharynx,  soft  palate,  lips,  or  bucco- 
labial  surface,  precedes  the  loss  of  epithelium  over  these  surfaces, 
which  soon  occurs,  forming  the  most  virulently  contagious  lesion 
of  syphiHs,  the  mucous  patch.  The  patches  become  covered  with 
a  grayish-white,  opalescent,  pasty  covering,  resembling  the  ulcera- 
tions of  non-specific  stomatitis.  So  close  is  the  resemblance  that  a 
differentiation  can  only  be  made  at  times  by  additional  evidences  of 
secondary  syphilis.  Single  patches  may  coalesce,  forming  large, 
irregular  areas  covered  by  a  grayish-white  pellicle.  These  patches 
are  rarely  painful.  Ulcerations  having  ragged,  irregular  outlines 
may  appear  at  the  sites  of  the  original  patches  or  in  other  situations, 
and  exhibit  a  tendency  to  spread.  In  healed  cases  the  cicatrices 
present  a  whitish  pellicle  and  contracted  scar,  indicative  of  old 
healed  ulcers.    In  the  skin  little  pits  and  linear  scars  are  symptomatic. 

The  diagnosis  of  the  condition  is  determined  by  a  discovery  of 
other   lesions   of   secondary    syphilis;    iritis,    headache,    neuralgia, 


SYPHILITIC  AFFECTIONS  OF  THE  MOUTH  741 

paralysis  of  muscles  of  eye  and  face,  chorea,  brittle,  cracking  nails  are 
often  early  symptoms;^  also  the  lymphatic  glands  will  be  involved; 
skin  eruptions,  falling  out  of  the  hair  (alopecia),  and  the  areas  of 
copper-colored  eruption  upon  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  pharynx 
and  soft  palate. 

Hugenschmidf-  has  observed  among  syphilitics,  who  presented  no 
local  lesions,  the  frequent  nocturnal  occurrence  of  indefinitely  located 
dental  pains,  spreading  to  the  palatal  region. 

Tertiary  Syphilis  of  the  Mouth. — The  syphilides  of  the  secondary 
stage  arise  in,  and  are  confined  to,  the  mucous  and  dermal  structures; 
those  of  the  tertiary  stage  arise  in  the  deep  connective  tissues,  and 
are  frequently  associated  with  periosteum. 

Tertiary  lesions,  as  seen  by  the  dentist,  are  usually  in  the  form  of 
ulcers  of,  first,  the  soft  or  hard  palate,  and  of  the  tongue  or  lips.  In 
the  earlier  stages  hard,  nodular  formations  may  be  noted  as  ante- 
cedents to  the  ulcerations.  Chronic  periostitis  of  the  palatal  processes 
may  occur,  leading  to  the  formation  of  localized  thickenings.  In 
other  cases,  in  the  soft  palate,  upon  the  tongue,  or  in  the  hard  palate, 
localized  sw^ellings  may  occur,  having  a  livid  red  appearance;  the 
overlying  mucous  membrane  breaks,  establishing  an  ulcer,  which 
may  perforate  the  soft  palate  and  destroy  a  portion  of  the  palatal 
process,  or  form  large  ulcers  on  the  tongue.  The  condition  is  one 
of  gumma.  These  lesions  appear  in  from  two  to  five  years  after  the 
secondary  manifestations. 

Tertiary  Lesions. — The  sight  and  hearing  may  be  affected,  the 
throat  diseased,  causing  loss  of  voice,  necrosis  of  the  bones  and  tissues 
of  the  nose  causing  deformity.  The  brain  or  spinal  cord  affected 
may  cause  paralysis,  locomotor  ataxia,  or  loss  of  reason.  These  are 
usually  the  result  of  failure  to  follow  treatment  to  a  conclusion. 

The  tongue  may  have  either  a  localized  or  widespread  parchment 
like  hyperplasia  of  the  mucous  membrane,  and  muscular  tissue  w^hich 
may  cause  it  to  become  indented  by  the  teeth,  to  lose  its  papillae, 
and  become  dry  and  red.  Pedersen^  calls  attention  to  the  fact  that 
the  indentations  do  not  disappear  when  the  tongue  is  stretched, 
while  if  due  to  ordinary  debility  they  may  be. 

Although  there  is  much  doubt  as  to  the  degree  of  infectiveness  of 
these  tertiary  lesions,  precautions  as  to  sterilization  should  be  taken 
as  with  the  primary  and  secondary  lesions.  A  defined,  ragged  ulcer 
occupying  the  hard  or  soft  palate,  which  has  persisted  for  a  long 
time,  should  always  be  view^ed  with  suspicion,  and  a  search  be  made 
for  other  evidences  of  syphilis. 

>  E.  Whitney:  Dental  Cosmos,  1911,  p.  524.  ^  Dental  Cosmos,  1S92. 

3  Dental  Cosmos,  1908,  p.  332. 


742  INFECTIONS  OF  AND  FROM  THE  MOUTH 

These  ulcerations  appearing  upon  the  side  of  the  tongue  may 
closely  simulate  epithelioma  of  that  organ.  The  confusion  is  increased 
if,  in  consequence  of  the  presence  of  jagged  teeth,  a  continuous 
irritation  is  excited.  Moreover,  leukoplakia  of  the  cheeks,  a  diag- 
nostic sign  of  incipient  epithelioma;  frequently  accompanies  tertiary 
syphilis.  In  some  cases  an  absolute  diagnosis  is  only  made  by  noting 
the  disappearance  of  the  local  lesion  following  the  administration 
of  iodids,  the  specific  treatment  of  tertiary  syphilis. 

The  existence  of  tertiary  syphilis  is  of  great  clinical  importance  to 
the  dentist  in  that  a  condition  of  lessened  resistance  of  tissues  is 
established,  and  disease  processes  which  in  the  healthy  person  are 
comparatively  circumscribed,  in  the  syphilitic  run  a  riotous  course. 
A  septic  pericementitis  by  extension  may  involve  a  wide  area  of 
periosteum,  leading  to  extensive  maxillary  necrosis. 

Treatment. — The  treatment  of  syphihs  has  been  largely  by  the 
administration  of  mercury  for  a  long  period  until  the  Spirocheta 
pallida  shall  have  been  killed  out.  If  not  so  continued  the  tertiary 
lesions  may  reappear  with  serious  results.  The  latest  development 
in  treatment  is  the  use  of  Ehrhch's  preparation  of  arsenic,  dioxy- 
diamedoarsenobenzol,  "606,"  or  salvarsan,  for  which  positive 
claims  as  a  prompt  cure  are  made.  In  obscure  cases  diagnosis  is 
made  by  Wassermann's  reaction.     (See  p.  247.) 


TUBERCULOSIS  OF  THE  MOUTH 

The  bacillus  of  tuberculosis,  under  favorable  conditions,  develops 
in  the  tissues  of  the  mouth,  producing  its  characteristic  lesions. 
Finding  a  suitable  soil,  such  as  is  furnished  by  the  heredity  which 
predisposes  to  phthisis  pulmonalis,  the  bacillus  may  find  entrance 
to  the  deeper  tissues  from  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth  and 
excite  tuberculosis  in  the  deep  structures,  the  bone,  etc.  A  number 
of  perforations  of  the  hard  palate  have  occured.  According  to  Curtis 
these  are  usually  fatal.  What  part  is  played  by  local  oral  and  dental 
lesions  in  tuberculosis  of  distant  parts,  by  establishing  pathways 
for  the  entrance  of  the  bacilli  into  the  circulation,  is  at  present 
conjectural,  but  that  such  infections  occur  is  very  probable. 


ACTINOMYCOSIS 

The  condition  produced  by  the  development  of  the  ray-fungus,  the 
actinomycosis,  in  the  lower  jaw  and  cervical  regions  of  cattle  and 


GENERAL  SEPTIC  DISEASES  OF  DENTAL  ORIGIN        743 

swine — lump-jaw — is  not  unknown  in  human  beings.  It  may  be 
derived  by  chewing  straw  or  grass  in  wliich  tlie  ray-fungus  has 
produced  "rust." 

Miller^  gives  203  cases  reported  in  German  medical  literature 
between  1886  and  1891.  In  at  least  120  of  these  cases  the  point  of 
entrance  of  the  fungus  was  found  to  be  in  the  region  of  the  mouth  or 
throat.  Actinomycosis  threads  have  been  repeatedly  found  in  the 
saliva  and  in  carious  teeth,  and  notably  in  the  tonsils.  Whether  the 
path  of  entrance  to  deeper  structures  is  ever  through  carious  teeth 
is  undetermined,  but  certainly  lesions  or  wounds  about  the  mouth 
furnish  an  entrance. 

The  disease  has  yielded  to  the  action  of  sulphate  of  copper,  | 
grain,  plus  iodid  of  potassium,  10  grains,  internally  four  times  a  day> 
together  with  local  irrigation  of  0.1  per  cent,  solution  of  copper 
sulphate.- 

GONORRHEA 

Undoubted  cases  of  oral  infection  by  the  gonococcus  of  Neisser 
have  occurred.  The  oral  mucous  membrane  and  the  gums  may 
undergo  intense  suppuration  with  its  accompaniment.  Fever  and 
its  accompaniments  may  be  present.  The  mouth  and  eyes  are  very 
subject  to  secondary  infection  in  an  individual  suffering  from  gonor- 
rheal urethritis.  The  hands  are  a  medium  of  transference.  Babes 
may  be  directly  infected  by  the  mother,  and  blindness  often  results. 
The  law  now  requires  the  instillation  of  a  mild  solution  of  silver 
nitrate  as  advocated  by  Crede.  The  diagnosis  can  be  made  by 
microscopic  examination  of  the  bacteria.  (See  p.  644.)  The  toxins 
and  the  germs  formed  in  the  mouth  may  be  swallowed. 


GENERAL  SEPTIC  DISEASES  OF  DENTAL  ORIGIN 

The  effect  of  the  existence  of  dental  diseases  upon  the  body  at 
large,  particularly  as  regards  secondary  infection,  is  a  matter  increas- 
ing in  importance  as  the  possibilities  of  their  connection  are  made 
out.  At  present  the  organisms  of  greatest  demonstrable  patholog- 
ical interest  are  the  pyogenic  cocci.  The  almost  constant  presence 
of  these  organisms  in  the  mouth,  carried  thence  into  the  pharynx, 
posterior  nares,  larynx,  lungs,  and  stomach,  furnishes  the  reason  for 
the  pyogenic  and  phlegmonous  inflammations  which  occur  in  these 

•  Dental  Cosmos,  1891.  *  Brophy:  Dental  Cosmos,  1908,  p.  78. 


744  INFECTIONS  OF  AND  FROM  THE  MOUTH 

organs.  The  diplococcus  of  pneumonia,  a  frequent  organism,  but 
waits  a  favorable  opportunity  to  establish  high  inflammations  and 
fibrinous  exudations  in  the  lungs,  and  possibly  in  other  structures. 

The  most  important  clinical  associations  of  dental  with  general 
infections  are  diseases  of  the  pericementum.  The  pulps  of  teeth, 
having  no  lymphatics,  do  not  appear  to  take  up  and  transmit  the 
products  of  the  action  of  septic  organisms;  but  while  the  evidences 
of  such  absorption,  involvement  of  the  neighboring  lymphatics,  are 
not  present,  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  veins  may  transmit 
the  poison,  and,  in  addition,  may  perhaps  convey  organisms  from  a 
diseased  but  still  vital  pulp  to  distant  parts.  When,  however,  the 
pulp  is  dead  and  the  pericementum  is  invaded,  there  is  no  doubt  of 
general  infection  from  this  local  source.  More  or  less  septic  intoxica- 
tion is  a  common  attendant  upon  severe  septic  apical  pericementitis, 
and  septicemia  accompanied  by  inflammation  of  the  neighboring 
lymphatic  glands  is  of  sufficient  frequency  to  emphasize  the  need 
of  the  vigorous  antiseptic  treatment  recommended  in  all  of  these 
cases. 

Pyemia  is  far  more  uncommon.^  Pyogenic  organisms,  gaining 
access  to  the  blood  current  from  the  local  source  of  infection,  establish 
suppuration  in  distant  parts;  in  other  parts  of  the  bone,  or  in  other 
bones  (osteomyelitis),  in  the  lungs,  meninges,  and  substance  of  the 
brain.  One  case^  has  been  reported  where  abscess  of  a  toe,  ear,  and 
forearm  ceased,  and  recovery  took  place  after  treatment  and  filling 
of  septic  root  canals.  Several  cases  are  tabulated  by  the  same  author 
in  which  extensive  necrosis  and  death  resulted  from  pyemic  infec- 
tion from  septic  pericementitis.  Some  of  these  cases  recorded  were 
associated  with  acute,  some  with  chronic,  septic  pericementitis. 

In  addition  to  the  usual  pyogenic  cocci.  Miller  has  isolated  several 
forms  of  cocci,  bacilli,  and  spirilla,  forming  products  which,  if  injected 
into  the  circulation  of  animals,  cause  death  from  septicemia  in  from 
hours  to  days.  As  many  of  these  forms  may  be  brought  into  rela- 
tion with  deep  parts  by  the  anatomical  conditions  created  by  pulp 
death,  the  possibilities  of  many  types  of  infection  via  pulpless  teeth 
are  evident. 

The  possibilities  of  local  as  well  as  general  infections  through  the 
conditions  estabhshed  in  the  several  forms  of  pyorrhea  alveolaris 
should  not  be  forgotten. 

The  pockets  formed  by  the  soft  tissues  overhanging  lower  third 
molars  whose  eruption  is  impeded  invite  the  passage  of  septic  organ- 

1  Miller:  Dental  Cosmos,  1891.  "  Ibid. 


LEUKOPLAKIA  BUCCALLS  745 

isms  to  deep  parts.  Local  pyogenic  infections  are  common  in  these 
cases,  and  may  extend  into  the  pharynx  and  the  submaxillary  tissues, 
as  in  Ludwig's  angina. 

HERPES  LABIALIS  (HERPES  SIMPLEX) 

This  consists  of  a  vesicular  eruption  upon  the  lip,  tongue,  mouth, 
cheeks,  or  alse  of  the  nose.  The  vesicles  are  filled  with  a  clear  fluid 
which  soon  discharges.  An  excoriation  is  left  often  covered  by  a 
light  crust,  which  is  never  followed  by  a  scar.  The  condition  may 
cause  little  pain  or  considerable  burning  and  itching.  It  may  accom- 
pany colds,  fevers,  exposure  to  heat,  draughts,  and  gastric  disorders. 
It  follows  either  a  direct  irritation  of  the  nerves,  as  after  the  use  of 
rubber  dam  or  other  dental  operations  in  susceptible  persons,  or  may 
be  of  reflex  origin;  in  either  case  localized  peripheral  neuritis  being 
the  initial  lesion.^  There  is  some  reason  to  believe  that  infection 
plays  a  part  in  its  production.  As  a  preventive  it  is  well  to  lubricate 
the  lips  with  glycerin  and  rose  water  or  with  cold  cream  when  much 
stretching  or  other  irritation  is  necessary. 

Leprosy. — During  the  progress  of  leprosy,  an  infective  disease, 
characteristic  nodules  and  ulcers  appear  about  the  oral  structures. 
As  many  parts  of  the  head  are  affected  in  like  manner,  these  are  but 
symptoms  of  the  progress  of  the  effects  of  the  Bacillus  lepra .^ 

HERPES  ZOSTER 

This  is  a  probably  infectious  disease,  almost  invariably  mono- 
lateral,  associated  with  a  neuritis  usually  of  a  spinal  ganglion  or  with 
a  peripheral  neuritis,  which  produces,  first,  a  hyperesthesia  of  the 
integument,  macules,  and  later  vesicular  eruptions  not  usually 
beginning  on  a  mucous  surface.  They  appear  in  groups  and  may 
coalesce,  forming  patches.  Desiccation  forms  a  crust;  pus  may 
form. 

The  interest  to  dentists  lies  in  the  fact  that  in  zoster  of  the  head 
exfoliation  of  the  teeth  is  said  to  be  associated  in  rare  cases.^ 

LEUKOPLAKIA  BUCCALIS 

Upon  the  inner  surface  of  the  cheeks  or  lips,  and  upon  portions  of 
the  gum  and  the  dorsum  and  edges  of  the  tongue,  may  appear  sharply 

'  Hyde  and  Montgomery:  Diseases  of  the  Skin. 

'  For  an  exhaustive  article  see  Oliver,  Dental  Cosmos,  1908. 

'  Hyde  and  Montgomerj':  Diseases  of  the  Skin. 


746  INFECTIONS  OF  AND  FROM   THE  MOUTH 

outlined,  dull,  whitish,  slate-colored  or  silver-whitish  points,  disks, 
streaks,  bands,  ribbons,  or  patches  of  irregular  shape,  either  flattened 
or  slightly  elevated,  above  the  general  level  of  the  mucous  surface. 
They  may  crack  or  fissure,  and  inflammation  of  the  derma  and  pain 
result.  Ordinarily  they  are  simply  rough  and  without  much  dis- 
comfort. It  occurs  almost  exclusively  in  males.  They  differ  from 
the  mucous  patches  of  syphilis  in  that  the  latter  are  soft  and  tend  to 
ulcerate,  and,  while  they  may  accompany  syphilis,  may  occur  in  its 
absence  or  of  any  history  of  it. 

They  simulate  the  keratosis  of  lichen  planus,  which  should  also 
appear  as  papules  upon  other  parts  of  the  body. 

Apart  from  syphilis,  it  is  due  to  irritation  such  as  that  from 
tobacco  or  rough  teeth,  and  with  syphilis,  tobacco,  and  rough  teeth 
may  be  additional  excitants. 

The  use  of  alcohol  and  spices  are  also  a  cause. 

The  pellicle  is  closely  adherent,  and  consists  of  an  hypertrophied 
and  hyperkeratinized  epithelium,  with  more  or  less  inflammatory 
infiltration  of  the  derma  and  with  partial  obliteration  of  the  papillae. 

The  chief  danger  in  the  disease  is  the  tendency  to  epithelioma, 
some  authors  estimating  30  per  cent.,  especially  in  the  cases  in  which 
exfoliation  and  ulceration  occur. 

The  removal  of  the  pellicles  by  suitable  caustics,  galvanocautery, 
or  bur,  and  the  avoidance  of  all  irritants,  especially  tobacco  and 
alcohol,  and  the  use  of  soothing  mouth  washes,  together  with  a 
hygienic  regimen,  is  the  usual  treatment  to  avoid  epithelioma.  The 
diagnosis  lies  clearly  within  the  province  of  the  dentist  who  may 
note  it  before  the  patient.  The  treatment  is  usually  conducted  by 
the  physician,  and  is  often  unsatisfactory  as  to  permanent  cure. 

Cases  with  syphihtic  history,  of  course,  require  antisyphilitic 
treatment,  especially  with  mercury. 

Leukoplakia  has  been  also  called  buccal  psoriasis,  but  psoriasis 
does  not  affect  mucous  surfaces,  hence  it  is  a  misnomer. 


LICHEN  PLANUS 

This  condition,  which  may  simulate  leukoplakia,^  is  characterized 
by  an  eruption  consisting  of  glistening  flat-topped  polygonal  papules 
with  tendency  to  form  irregularly  arranged  groups.  On  the  mucous 
surface  they  appear  as  whitish  macules,  strise,  or  flat  papules  on  both 
sides  of  the  tongue  at  the  points  in  contact  with  the  molar  teeth. 

I  Hyde  and  Montgomery:  Diseases  of  the  Skin. 


PHOSPHOR  NECROSIS  747 

They  are  the  result  of  an  arterial  or  venous  hyperemia  of  the 
papillffi  of  the  corium,  a  secondary  thickening  of  the  lower  part  of 
the  rete,  and  a  tertiary  flattening  of  the  papule  by  pressure. 

A  proliferation  of  cells  in  the  granular  layer  and  a  deposit  of 
keratohyalin  in  whitish  spots  occur.  This  causes  a  similarity  to 
leukoplakia.  It  usually  occurs  in  the  nervously  exliausted,  though 
many  patients  may  have  a  fair  degree  of  body  nutrition  while  yet 
nervouslv  exhausted. 


PHOSPHOR  NECROSIS 

This  disease  is  a  more  or  less  extensive  necrosis  of  the  maxillae  due 
to  the  entrance  of  phosphorus  or  its  fumes  into  contact  with  the 
periosteum  or  pericementum  of  a  tooth. 

It  was  formerly  frequent  in  match  factories,  when  white  phosphorus 
was  used,  though  now  less  when  the  red  is  employed,  but  has  occurred 
through  the  chewing  of  match  heads,  and  a  case  has  been  reported 
in  which  a  half  grain  taken  in  three  days  caused  it.^ 

As  it  does  not  ordinarily  occur  in  the  mouths  of  those  having 
sound  teeth,  it  is  generally  regarded  as  of  local  origin,  the  phosphorus 
gaining  entrance  either  through  the  pulp  canal  of  a  tooth,  or,  possibly, 
through  some  point  of  injury  external  to  the  tooth. 

Abscesses  containing  oft'ensive  pus  cause  great  swelling  and  exces- 
sive salivation,  and  may  cause  several  fistulse,  while  the  swallowing 
of  the  discharge  causes  general  toxic  disturbance,  and  infection  such 
as  pneumonia  or  cerebrospinal  meningitis  may  have  rapid  effect. 

The  periosteum  remains  unaffected  as  to  its  vitality,  while  the 
bone  proper  undergoes  osteoporous  necrosis,  becoming  like  rotten 
sponge.  As  the  sequestrum  is  separated,  there  is  a  tendency  to 
formation  of  new  bone  by  the  periosteum.  The  necrosis  of  bone  may 
be  very  extensive,  involving  in  the  lower  jaw  the  entire  horizontal 
portion,  while  the  ramus  may  remain  unaffected.  In  the  lower  jaw, 
after  exfoliation,  the  bone  may  be  almost  entirely  restored  to  an 
amount  nearing  fair  comparison  with  the  ordinary  edentulous 
mouth,  while  in  the  upper  jaw  no  repair  occurs.  This  new  bone  may 
undergo  atrophy  if  not  put  to  work  by  artificial  teeth. ^  As  a  pro- 
phylactic sodium  bicarbonate  solutions  are  recommended  by  Arnone.^ 


'  Arnone:   Dental  Cosmos,  1910,  p.  425. 

'  For  consideration  of  treatment  the  reader  is  referred  to  Garretson's  System  of  Oral  Surgery, 
sixth  edition,  and  other  writings  upon  the  subject. 
'  Dental  Cosmos,  1909. 


748  INFECTIONS  OF  AND  FROM  THE  MOUTH 

SCORBUTUS 

This  is  scurvy  as  described  on  pages  103,  205,  619,  and  649. 

PURPURA  H-fflMORRHAGICA 

This  is  the  appearance  of  small  purplish  spots  beneath  the  skin 
and  mucous  membrane,  and  is  dependent  upon  infection  and  toxic 
conditions. 

Brown,^  following  Schamberg,  presents  the  following  clear  differ- 
entiatial  symptoms: 

Scorbutus  Purpura  Hemorrhagica 

1.  Occurs  in  those  subjects   due  to   lack  of  1.  No  such  etiological  relationship. 

vegetable  food  and  to  bad  hygiene. 

2.  Definite  antecedent  symptoms,  weakness,  2.  Antecedent  signs  slight  or  absent. 

impaired  circulation,  etc. 

3.  Onset  slow.  3.  Onset  sudden. 

4.  Gums  spongy,  swollen,  and  bleeding;  teeth  4.  Gums  often  bleeding,  but  not  swollen. 

loose. 

5    Severe  muscular  pain.  5.  Less  marked. 

6.  Brawny  infiltration  of  lower  extremities.  6.  Not  present. 

7.  Hemorrhages    from    mucous    membranes,  7.  Hemorrhages  from  mucous  membranes  so 

not  profuse,  as  a  rule.  severe  as  to  sometimes  prove  fatal. 

ANGINA 

Angina  is  usually  defined  as  a  sense  of  choking  or  suffocation, 
a  symptom  which  accompanies  inflammatory  affections  of  the 
pharynx  as  well  as  the  paroxysmal  neuralgic  affection  of  the  heart 
known  as  angina  pectoris. 

Angina  Simplex. — This  is  inflammation  of  the  pharynx,  with,  of 
course,  more  or  less  swelling  and  inflltration  of  exudate.  Swallowing 
may  be  difiicult.  Local  depletion  and  sedation  washes,  with  general 
derivation,  are  indicated.  If  chronic,  stimulant  washes  are  useful 
combined  with  general  tonic  treatment. 

Ludwig's  Angina. — In  1836  Ludwig  described  a  disease  which  is 
considered  to  be  an  infectious  cellulitis  in  the  submaxillary  region, 
which  may  extend  deeply  into  the  tissues  of  the  neck.  The  infection 
is  thought  to  be  due  to  the  Streptococcus  pyogenes  or  bacillus  of 
malignant  edema,  though  the  staphylococci  and  Diplococcus  pneu- 
moniae are  found,  and  probably   enter  the  cellular  tissue  of  the 

1  Dental  Cosmoa,  1911,  p.  296. 


DENTAL  STERILIZATION  749 

submaxillary  region  and  neck  through  the  oral  or  pharyngeal  mucous 
membrane  or  a  wound.  An  apical  abscess,  also,  the  repeated  impac- 
tion of  food  into  the  peridental  region,  especially  about  a  third 
molar,  and  its  fermentation  has  caused  a  deep  infection  resulting  in 
this  disease.    The  patient  has  lassitude,  chilliness,  and  fever. 

A  hard  swelling  appears  beneath  the  mandible  after  several  days, 
and  extends  toward  the  neck  and  under  the  tongue.  There  is  mus- 
cular rigidity  and  the  head  is  inclined  in  one  direction.  The  skin  is 
not  much  reddened. 

Later  edema  is  marked  and  may  extend  upward  toward  the 
parotid  gland  or  the  glottis.  Breathing  and  swallowing  are  rendered 
difficult  by  oral  and  pharyngeal  swellings.  There  are  the  usual  oral 
symptoms  of  inflammation.  Upon  incision  the  connective  tissues 
are  found  to  be  sloughing,  grayish  black  in  color,  and  may  ooze  pus. 

The  spread  of  the  infection  being  by  continuity  of  cellular  spaces, 
the  glands  are  much  enlarged. 

A  large  abscess  may  form  and  discharge.  Pneumonia,  septicemia, 
and  pyemia  are  complications  to  be  feared  as  the  result  of  spreading 
infection.  Incisions  for  drainage  and  antisepsis  are  usually  con- 
joined with  systemic  treatment,  but  as  the  case  is  often  of  dental 
origin  the  cause  should  be  removed. 

Vincent's  Angina. — This  is  an  edematous  tonsillitis,  which  may 
affect  also  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth  and  pharynx,  fol- 
lowed by  the  formation  of  a  pseudomembrane  as  in  diphtheria,  later 
ulceration  and  hemorrhage  may  appear.  There  are  the  usual  accom- 
paniments of  inflammation  in  this  locality,  together  with  fever  and 
sometimes  rigors.    It  usually  lasts  about  two  weeks. 

The  differential  diagnosis  from  diphtheria  and  syphilis  is  made  by 
microscopic  examination.  Vincent's  bacilli,  spindle-shaped,  pointed 
at  extremities,  and  6  to  10/^  in  length,  are  usually  associated  with  a 
long  thin  spirillum. 

They  take  several  stains,  but  not  the  Gram.  In  diphtheria, 
Loeffler's  bacilli,  and  in  syphilis  the  Spirocheta  pallida  would  be 
found. 

In  the  treatment  hydrogen  dioxid,  and  tincture  of  iodin  locally, 
and  potassium  chlorate  internally  are  of  value. 


DENTAL  STERILIZATION 

It  must  ever  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  dental  operator  constantly 
works  in  a  field  of  infection,  and  unless  extraordinary  precautions  be 
taken  every  instrument  which  touches  this  field— the  fingers  of  the 


750  INFECTIONS  OF  AND  FROM  THE  MOUTH 

operator,  his  mirrors,  glasses,  napkins,  rubber  dam,  rubber  dam 
clamps — becomes  immediately  infected  as  soon  as  it  is  brought  in 
contact  with  the  mouth  of  the  patient.  The  likelihood  of  infection 
varies  with  the  patient  and  the  particular  instruments;  mouth 
mirrors,  rubber  dam  clamps,  scalers,  and  all  instruments  used  in  the 
treatment  of  pulp  canals  are  likely  to  become  more  promptly  and 
extensively  infected  than  other  instruments.  Again,  the  forms  of 
the  instruments  determine  whether  or  not  increased  opportunity  is 
given  for  the  retention  of  infective  material.  The  fingers  of  the 
operator  may  be  the  medium  through  which  infective  material  is 
transferred  from  one  patient  to  another.  Infection  may  be  carried 
from  superficial  areas  of  the  mucous  membrane  of  the  mouth,  from 
the  enamel  and  the  saliva,  into  deeper  structures,  where  conditions 
are  favorable  for  the  development  of  sepsis. 

The  scheme  for  dental  sterilization,  therefore,  includes  the  steriliza- 
tion of  the  operator,  instruments,  apparatus,  appliances,  etc.,  used 
in  operations,  and  the  sterilization  of  the  field  of  operation  prior  to 
operating. 

The  Operator. — Extreme  personal  cleanliness  upon  the  part  of  an 
operator  is  clearly  the  first  step  in  asepsis.  The  best  class  of  dentists 
are  exceedingly  neat  as  regards  personal  habits;  daily  bathing,  care  of 
the  nails  and  of  the  skin,  and  immaculate  linen  form  as  much  a  part 
of  the  day's  labor  as  dental  operations  per  se.  The  virtues  of  soap 
and  water,  wherever  they  may  be  applied,  are  regarded  as  a  very 
important  item  in  preventing  infection. 

Linen  which  has  been  boiled  prior  to  wearing  may  be  regarded  as 
safely  sterile;  so  that  the  matter  of  personal  steriHzation  relates  to  the 
hands,  particularly  to  the  finger-nails.  The  space  under  the  nails  is 
a  favorable  habitat  for  many  organisms,  notably  the  pyogenic  cocci, 
the  staphylococcus  pyogenes  aureus  being  commonly  present  in  this 
situation. 

It  has  always  been  advised  that  the  finger-nails  be  trimmed  short, 
and  be  made  smooth  to  avoid  mechanical  injury  to  the  soft  tissues 
of  the  patient.  Since  the  advent  of  aseptic  and  antiseptic  surgery 
these  precautions  have  an  additional  significance;  nails  kept  short 
and  smooth  may  be  more  readily  cleansed  than  if  long  and  ill-kept. 
The  nails  should  be  cut  so  that  they  nowhere  project  beyond  the  tips 
of  the  fingers.  Their  mechanical  cleansing  should  be  done  with 
smooth  instruments,  not  sharp  knife-blades;  the  latter  produce 
rough  surfaces,  which  furnish  spaces  for  lodgement  of  bacteria.  There 
is  but  one  effective  method  of  washing  beneath  the  nails;  it  is  that 
followed  by  the  general  surgeon.  After  dipping  the  soap  in  water  as 
hot  as  can  be  borne  by  the  hands,  all  of  the  finger-nails  should  be 


DENTAL  STERILIZATION  751 

made  to  scrape  the  soap  until  the  spaces  under  the  nails  are  filled 
with  soap.  After  this  coarse  hand-brushes  are  used  to  scour  every 
part  of  the  hands  with  soap  and  water  as  hot  as  can  be  borne.  Special 
nail-brushes  are  next  used  to  scrub  beneath  the  nails,  driving  out 
piecemeal  the  soap  masses  there.  The  general  surgeon  continues  the 
scrubbing  until  the  nails  are  scrupulously  clean.  The  soap  usually 
used  is  Castile,  or  soap  made  from  palm  oil,  etc.,  but  antiseptic 
soaps,  such  as  ethereal  soaps,  may  be  substituted  with  ad\'antage. 
Tincture  of  green  soap  is  effective  (see  below). 

Sterilization  of  the  cleansed  hands  is  insured  by  immersing  them 
for  five  minutes  in  antiseptic  solutions,  such  as  50  per  cent,  alcohol. 
The  hands  should  be  sterilized  after  treating  each  patient;  rubbing 
the  hands  with  a  paste  of  flour,  mustard,  and  water  for  three  minutes 
and  washing  oft*  with  sterilized  water  is  effective.  (Nancrede.)  If  the 
patient  dismissed  has  possessed  an  unusually  septic  mouth,  or  has 
been  a  syphilitic,  for  example,  the  time  for  hand  cleansing  and 
sterilization  is  to  be  prolonged;  if  syphilitic,  every  instrument  used 
is  transferred  to  separate  vessels  containing  antiseptic  solutions  or 
boiled,  and  the  hands  are  viewed  as  highly  infected;  they  are  scrubbed 
with  mercuric  chlorid  solutions  to  prevent  personal  infection  or  the 
carriage  of  infection.  Chancres  have  from  time  to  time  appeared 
upon  the  fingers  of  dentists  as  well  as  physicians.  In  a  syphilitic 
case  one  might  use  the  rubber  gloves  worn  by  surgeons. 

Sterilization  of  Apparatus. — The  scrupulous  cleanliness  of  the 
operating  chair,  whose  head-rest  should  receive  frequent  changes  of 
boiled  linen  coverings,  metallic  parts  rubbed,  and  general  covering 
cleansed;  the  cleansing,  polishing,  and  sterilizing  of  cuspidores;  the 
changing  of  paper  coverings  upon  instrument  tables,  etc.,  are  part 
of  the  general  scheme  of  sterilization.  The  floor  of  the  operating 
room  also  requires  attention;  instead  of  being  covered  with  carpet,  it 
is  preferable  to  have  it  made  of  parquetry  material  or  cement, 
over  which  rugs  are  laid,  which  may  be  removed  from  the  room 
for  cleansing,  the  floor  proper  being  scrubbed. 

Napkins  used  about  the  mouth  are  certain  to  become  infected,  so 
that  their  boiling  should  be  prolonged  at  least  fifteen  minutes.  For 
many  operations  it  is  preferable  to  substitute  strips  of  muslin  for 
linen  napkins,  which  after  being  used  may  be  thrown  away. 

If  a  hydraulic  saliva  ejector  be  used,  the  glass  mouth  tubes  should 
be  changed  for  each  person,  a  sterilized  tube  being  substituted 
directly  before  its  use  is  required.  A  number  of  these  tubes  should 
be  in  use,  and  may  be  sterilized  after  washing  by  placing  them  in  a 
50  per  cent,  solution  of  Listerine  or  a  formaldehyd  solution  for  a  few 
hours.    Tumblers  and  mouth  mirrors  may  be  sterilized  in  like  manner. 


752  INFECTIONS  OF  AND  FROM  THE  MOUTH 

The  cloudiness  of  saliva  tubes  is  produced  by  the  formation  of  salivary 
calculus,  and  may  be  removed  by  the  use  of  acidulated  water,^ 

At  the  close  of  each  day  a  large  cup  should  be  filled  with  an  anti- 
septic solution,  which  is  to  be  drawn  through  the  tubing  of  the 
ejector  to  keep  it  in  a  reasonably  aseptic  condition. 

Rubber  dam  may  be  sterilized  by  boiling  water,  but  it  is  more 
safe  and  cleanly  to  use  a  new  piece  for  each  patient.  It  should  be 
washed  and  then  dusted  with  borated  talcum  powder.  The  possi- 
bilities of  infection  through  this  medium  are  great,  particularly  in 
syphilitic  cases. 

The  water  used  for  douching  cavities  should  be  boiled  previous  to 
placing  in  the  warmer,  and  should  have  a  little  pleasant  antiseptic 
added  to  it. 

Nancrede^  states  that  all  pyogenic  cocci,  and  even  anthrax  spores, 
are  killed  by  boiling  instruments  for  two  minutes  in  a  1  per  cent, 
solution  of  sodium  carbonate,  which  also  prevents  rusting. 

Mouth  mirrors  and  other  instruments  which  can  be  wet  may  be 
placed  for  one-half  hour  or  longer  in  a  covered  jar  containing  20  per 
cent,  formaldehyd,  to  which  borax  has  been  added  to  saturation. 
Rusting  is  prevented  by  borax  (Williams). 

Broaches,  trephines,  and  other  small  points  requiring  to  be  kept 
sterile  may  be  placed  in  a  bottle  such  as  are  sold  containing  gold 
cylinders,  and  kept  wet  with  any  essential  oil  or  carbolic  acid. 

G.  Zederbaum^  suggests  sticking  the  shanks  in  the  cork;  when  to 
be  used  the  cork  is  to  be  transferred  to  another  bottle  of  like  size 
containing  alcohol  and  shaken  to  remove  the  antiseptic.  They  may 
then  be  washed  in  sterilized  water. 

Extracting  forceps  require  careful  mechanical  cleansing  and  pro- 
longed boiling  after  each  use,  for  perhaps  more  cases  of  infection, 
and  of  many  kinds,  have  resulted  from  unclean  forceps  than  from 
all  other  causes  combined. 

Instruments,  such  as  hand-pieces,  which  cannot  be  conveniently 
wet  may  be  subjected  for  ten  minutes  to  formaldehyd  gas,  developed 
in  a  Low  or  Schering  apparatus.^  If  desired,  all  the  instruments 
may  be  so  sterilized.  The  entire  instrument  case  may  be  disinfected 
by  burning  a  Low  lamp  in  one  drawer  of  the  dental  cabinet  for  one- 
half  hour  at  night.  The  drawers  should  be  made  communicating 
by  small  perforations  at  one  or  more  points.  Miller  found  that 
placing  a  formalin  tablet  in  each  drawer  sufficed  to  sterilize  its 
contents. 

1  Thornton:  Dental  Review,  1903.  2  Park's  Surgery  by  American  Autho'-s. 

3  Dental  Cosmos,  1907. 

^  See  American  Text-book  of  Operative  Dentistry. 


DENTAL  STERILIZATION 


753 


Sterilizing  the  Field  of  Operation.^ — To  insure  sterilization  of  the 
field  of  operation  antiseptics  should  l)e  used  freely  about  the  mouth 
prior  to  operating.  The  thoroughness  of  the  sterilization  will  depend 
in  great  degree  upon  the  personal  liabits  of  the  patient.  If  by  the 
systematic  use  of  the  agents  and  measures  described  under  the  pro- 
phylaxis of  caries  tlie  patient's  mouth  be  kept  in  a  reasonably  aseptic 
condition,  sterilization  of  the  oral  cavity  can  be  accomplished  with 
sufficient  readiness.  The  choice  of  antiseptic  will  depend  in  great 
degree  upon  the  state  of  oral  hygiene ;  in  ill-kept  mouths,  with  deposits 
of  foreign  materials  about  and  between  the  teeth,  on  the  gums  and 
tongue,  much  more  active  and  penetrating  germicides  will  be  required 
than  if  the  parts  are  clean.  The  presence  of  putrefactive  decom- 
position in  the  mouth,  made  evident  by  ill  odors,  amid  which  that 


Fig.  671 


Low  sterilizer:  A,  sterilizing  chamber;  B,  perforated  tray  on  which  instruments  to  be  sterilized 
are  placed;  C,  glass  dome  and  cast  aluminum  support;  0,  condensing  chamber  for  removing  all 
moisture  from  gas;  D,  formaldehyd  burner;  E,  platinum  cone,  which  generates  the  gas  from 
Columbian  spirit;  F,  lamp  body.  The  course  of  the  gas  through  the  apparatus  is  indicated  by 
the  arrows. 


of  hydrogen  sulphid  may  be  detected,  needs  for  its  treatment  the 
immediate  and  free  use  of  preparations  from  which  nascent  oxygen 
may  be  disengaged.  A  good  method  is  to  forcibly  spray  the  mouth 
with  a  1  to  3  per  cent,  solution  of  hydrogen  dioxid,  in  order  to  force 
infective  material  from  about  the  teeth.  The  other  solutions,  as  a 
solution  of  potassium  permanganate  or  mercuric  chlorid  or  alcohol 
may  then  be  used.  This  spraying  or  washing  should  be  somewhat 
prolonged  when  the  mucous  membrane  is  likely  to  be  injured,  as 
in  extractions  which  often  result  in  infection  from  the  patient's 
own  secretions.  Many  operators  keep  a  stock  of  inexpensive  tooth- 
brushes for  such  cases,  which  are  thrown  away  after  the  patient  has 
used  them,  who  is  directed  to  scrub  the  teeth  well  with  the  brush 
and  the  antiseptic  solution. 
'  48 


754  INFECTIONS  OF  AND  FROM   THE  MOUTH 

For  very  thorough  disinfection  thoroughly  cleanse  the  teeth  and 
use  the  antiseptic  between  them  upon  floss  silk.  For  surgical  work 
or  etherization  very  active  work  should  be  done.  Wadsworth/  in 
an  investigation  of  mouth  washes  and  their  action  on  pneumococci, 
found  but  little  value  in  the  ordinary  wash  or  even  solutions  of 
formalin,  lysol,  or  H2O2.    He  found  that 

1} — Alcohol 30  parts 

Water 70  parts 

Glycerin  and  salt,  a  small  quantity  added, 

was  very  effective  in  destroying  the  bacteria. 

In  a  series  of  tests  upon  the  devitalizing  power  of  germicides  for 
streptococcus,  gonococcus,  pneumococcus,  and  Bacillus  typhosus, 
Post  and  NicolP  found  tincture  of  "green  soap"  (a  brownish  liquid 
composed  chiefly  of  alcohol  and  caustic  potash),  alcohol  in  solutions 
above  50  per  cent.,  silver  nitrate  solution  from  1  to  1000  to  stronger, 
tincture  of  iodin,  Senn's  solution  (iodin  1,  potassium  iodid  1,  water 
100  and  even  400),  phenol,  5  per  cent.,  and  chloroform  were  effective 
in  one  minute. 

Potassium  chlorate,  mercuric  chlorid,  1  to  500,  failed  in  ten  minutes. 
Boric  acid  failed  in  two  hours.  As  some  of  these  germicides  are  for 
the  mouth  and  some  for  the  hands  the  information  is  of  great  practical 
value. 

The  routine  practice  of  scaling  and  polishing  the  teeth  and  pre- 
scribing an  antiseptic  mouth  wash  prior  to  the  commencement  of  a 
series  of  sittings  is  to  be  highly  commended. 

Before  scaling  absolute  disinfection  is  impossible.  The  writer 
uses  the  antiseptic  freely  during  the  entire  operation. 

If  ulcerations  or  inflammatory  conditions  exist,  the  sterilization 
is  to  be  prolonged.  If  a  suspicion  of  syphilis  exist,  not  only  should 
the  mouth  be  freely  washed  with  strong  antiseptics,  but  special 
instruments  should  be  used,  preferably  an  old  set,  kept  sterilized  and 
used  only  in  special  cases.  If  the  hands  of  the  operator  have  abra- 
sions or  irritated  spots,  these  should  be  covered  with  collodion,  and 
after  the  operation  should  be  carefully  sterilized  to  prevent  personal 
infection,  of  which  a  number  of  cases  have  been  recorded  (see  p.  751). 

A  deep  infection  may  usually  be  prevented  during  the  treatment 
of  pyorrhea  alveolaris  and  pulp  gangrene  by  attention  to  the  steril- 
ization of  the  infected  tract  before  beginning  work  upon  the  parts 
or  during  its  progress.  These  methods  have  been  indicate^  in  the 
discussion  of  these  subjects. 

1  Dental  Cosmos,  1907. 

2  Spence:     Dental  Cosmos,  1911,  p.  548. 


INDEX 


Abrasion,  284 

in  animals,  284 

of  calculus,  290 

degrees  of,  285 

during  sleep,  295 

effects  of,  291 

from  clasp,  290 

gritty  powders  as  cause  of,  287 

labial  and  approximal,  286 

lingual,  290,  291 

occlusal,  284 

relation  to  caries,  287 

tooth-brush  in,  287 

treatment  of,  293 
Abscess,  apical,  acute,  561.     See  Peri- 
cementitis, 
chronic,  584.     See  Pericemen- 
titis, 
scar  from,  603 

septicemia  from,  568,  579,  582 
systemic   complications  from, 
603 

around  third  molar,  573 

extraction  in  second  stage  of,  577 

fistula  in,  128 

perforation  of  bone  in,  576 

pericemental,  708 

pointing  in,  128,  567 

of  pulp,  471 

pus  in, 126 
Absorbent  organ,  208 
Acacia,  use  of,  198 
Acetanilid  as  cause  of  hemorrhage,  115 

use  of,  115,  132,  381,  466,  580 
Acidity,  hyper-,  88,  298,  393,  421 
Acidosis,  acids  in,  89,  95,  96,  100 
Aconite,  tincture  of,  118,  131,  452,  575 
Aconitin,  use  of,  728 
Actinomycosis  of  mouth,  743 
Aerogenic  bacteria,  41 
Adenoids  in  mouth  breathing,  218 
Adrenalin,  use  of,  384,  490 
Agenesia  of  enamel,  238 
Agglutination,  57 
Albumin,  fermentation  of,  43 
Albuminuria,  105 
Alcohol,  injection  of,  728 

use  of,  144,  381,  495 
Alexins,  49 
Aloin  compound,  use  of,  655 


Alopecia,  from  dental  disease,  726 
Alum,  use  of,  465,  534 
Alveolar  process,  fracture  of,  639 
Alveolitis,  postextraction,  640 
Amalgam,  copper,  use  of,  403,  408,  536 

facing,  503 
Amboceptors,  56 
Ameba,  properties  of,  18 
Ameloblasts,  154 
Ammonol,  use  of,  381 
Ameba  of  dysentery,  35 
Amputation  of  roots,  598,  691 
Amyl  nitrite,  use  of,  495 
Anemia,  108,  109,  110 
Anesthesia  of  apical  tissue,  496 

general,  use  of,  490 

diploetic,  496 

by  pressure,  465,  482,  490 

nerve  trunk,  388 

of  pulp,  490 
Angina,  Ludwig's,  748 

simplex,  748 

Vincent's,  749 
Angle,  classification  of  malocclusion  by, 

213 
Ankylosis,  dental,  625 
Anomalies  of  teeth.    See  Malformations. 
Antikamnia,  use  of,  381 
Antipyrin,  use  of,  727 
Antiseptic  powders,  use  of,  131 
Antiseptics,  mouth,  749 
Antitoxin,  formation  of,  55 

streptococcus,  use  of,  144,  580 
Antrum,  empyema  of,  600,  604 
Aphtha;,  734 

Aqua  regia,  use  of,  513,  525 
Aristol,  use  of,  131,  381,  485,  558,  596 
Arsenic,  accidents  with,  504 

action  of,  on  gum  tissue,  504 
on  pulp  tissue,  497,  502,  504 
variations  in,  499 

apical  hyperemia  from,  497 

coverings  for,  503 

iodide  of,  use  of,  462 

mummifying  paste  and,  505 

objections  to,  500 

pocket  for,  503 

pulp  hyperemia  from,  497 
in  pulp  nodule,  440 

second  application  of,  500 

suffusion  from,  498 

use  of,  466,  482 


756 


INDEX 


Arsenic,  use  of,  danger  of,  393,  497,  504 

^Irsenical  fiber,  502 

Arterial  hyperemia,  116 

Asperin,  use  of,  466 

Astringents,  use  of,  120 

Atrophy,  74 

general,  75 

local,  74 

marginal,  of  gum,  656 

Harlan's  method  in,  656 
Atropin,  use  of,  381,  619 
Attachment  of  teeth,  253,  639 
Autointoxication,  general  malnutrition 
as  causes  of,  etc.,  88 

oral  effects  of,  650 


B 


Bacteria,  action  of  gastric  juice  upon, 
49 

aerogenic,  41 

in  blood,  40,  45 

as  cause  of  disease,  34 

of  inflammation,  121,  125 

chemical  composition  of,  37 

chromogenic,  41 

conditions  antagonizing,  60 

of  dental  caries,  326,  349,  358 

destruction  of,  by  tissue,  49 

division  in  blood,  40 

effect  of  blood  reaction  upon,  60 

external  antagonistic  agencies,  60 

facultative,  41 

fermenting  action  of,  41 

ferments  of,  42 

forms  of,  39 

immunity  to,  52,  56 

intoxication  by,  95 

life  conditions  of,  38,  40 

localization  of,  49 

media  of,  39 

motility  of,  38 

of  mouth,  47 

general  infection,  by,  142 

obligate,  41 

parasitic,  40 

pathogenic,  40,  46 

penetration  of  root  tubules  by,  611 

position  in  vegetable  kingdom,  34 

predisposition  to,  action  of,  29 

pyogenic,  45,  126 

saprophytic,  40 

specific,  44 

spore  formation  of,  39 

spreading  of,  in  tissue,  45 

toxic  effects  of,  40 

products  of,  43 

universality  of,  44 

zooglea  of,  39 
Bacterial  plaques  in  dental  caries,  330, 

343 
Balsam  of  Peru,  use  of,  596 
Band,  dental,  153 
Bandage,  use  of,  120 


Benzoic  acid,  use  of,  646 

Benzoin,  use  of,  457,  465 

Bilein,  use  of,  655 

Bismuth,  subnitrate,  use  of,  198,  596, 

599 
Black,  glands  of,  184 
Black's  1-2-3  mixture,  use  of,  703 

operation  for  scar,  603 
Bleaching  agents,  use  of,  317,  556 
Blindness,  dental,  cause  of,  724 
Blisters,  use  of,  118 
Blood,  alterations  in,  107 

bacteria  in,  40,  45 

coagulation  of,  110 

extravasation  of,  113 

pressure  of,  116 

reaction  of,  as  immunizing  factor, 
60 

supply  to  teeth  and  jaws,  171,  181 
Bloodletting  in  inflammation,  etc.,  118, 

131 
Blue  light,  use  of,  381,  574 
Bone,  caries  of,  84,  137,  592 

of  face,  embryology  of,  147 

infection  of,   from  dental  lesions, 
604 

inflammation  of,  136,  604 

of  jaw,  development  of,  147 

necrosis  of,  84,  136 

from  alveolodental  abscess,  606 
from  syphilis,  570,  607 

perforation  of,  in  abscess,  576 

regeneration  of,  136,  139 

resorption  of,  136,  137,  138 
in  gingivitis,  667 
Boric  acid,  use  of,  726 
Boroglycerin,  use  of,  646 
Brewers'  yeast,  use  of,  131 
Broaches,  Downie,  use  of,  508 

Swiss,  529 

use  of,  509 

varieties  of,  uses  of,  508 
Bromural,  use  of,  381 
Brush,  use  of,  416 
Bruxomania,  285,  295 


Caffein,  use  of,  580,  678 
Calcareous  infiltration,  82 
Calcific  degeneration  of  pulp,  441 
Calcium  chloride,  use  of,  115 

salts  in  blood,  662 
in  pus,  677 
Calcoglobulin,  83,  155 
Calcospherites,  chemical  composition  of, 
155 

in  dentin,  430 

in  pulp  nodule,  434 
Calculi,  basis  of,  83,  659 
Calculus,  analyses  of,  660 

hematogenic,  677 

origin  of,  659,  663 


INDEX 


75- 


Calculus,  pyogenic,  677 
salivary,  658 

analysis  of,  660 
foreign  bodies  in,  662 
hardening  of,  665 
mode  of  deposit,  659,  663 
occurrence  of,  659 
origin  of,  659 

pathological  effects  of,  667 
removal  of,  668 
scalers  for,  668,  676 
structure  of,  659 
treatment  of,  668 
varieties  of,  658 
sanguinary,  677 
subgingival,  673 
Calendula,  use  of,  646 
Calomel,  use  of,  305 
Campho-phenique,  use  of,  450,  465,  618, 

703 
Canada  balsam,  use  of,  402 
Canals,    imperfectly    filled,    results    of, 
544,  558,  603,  609 
root,  enlargement  of,  510 
Cancrum  oris,  755 
Cantharides,  use  of,  507 
Capping,  for  pulp,  408 
Capsicum  plaster,  use  of,  576 
Carbohydrates   in    dental    caries,    325, 

328,  340 
Carbolic  acid,  use  of,  197,  391,  395,  397, 

465,  495,  507,  618 
Carbon    dioxid,    defective    elimination 
of,  89,  299 
paper,  use  of,  634 
Carcinoma,  73 
Caries  of  bone,  84,  137,  592 
dental,  320 

acids  in,  lactic,  325 

neutralization  of,  356,  418 
age  in,  337,  352 
alkalies  in,  328 
bacteria  of,  326,  349,  358 
bacterial  plaque  in,  312,  342 
bodily  condition  in,  338 
carbohydrates  in,  325,  328,  340 
causes  of,  bacterial,  325,  358 
exciting,  323 
predisposing,  local,  330 
systemic,  336 
in  cementum,  364,  372 
chemical  reactions  in,  326 
clinical  history,  364 
deep-seated,  397 
dentin  in,  351 

decalcification  of,  356 
secondary,  348,  371 
diagnosis  of,  373 
drinking  water  in,  337 
eburnation  in,  362 
effect  of  malnutrition  upon,  90 
in  enamel,  335,  342 
experiments  in,  323 
filth  as  a  protection  from,  329, 
341 


Caries,  dental,  foodstuffs  in,  326,  328 

glycogenic  infiltrations  in,  334 
heredity  in,  336 
history  of,  320 

clinical,  364 
inception  of,  323,  342,  364 

locations  of,  342 
lactates  formed  in,  356 
liquefaction  foci  in,  357 
loss  of  crown  by,  372,  407 

of  root  by,  372,  410 
morbid  anatomy  of,  342 
mucin  in,  334 

of  Nasmyth's  membrane,  351 
pathology  of,  342 
penetrating,  371 
perforation  by,  372,  407 
periodicity  in,  337 
pigmentation  in,  362 
prenatal  influence  in,  336 
prognosis  of,  375 
progress  of,  365 

saHva  in,  334,  339 
in  school  children,  337 
prophylaxis  of,  415 
pulp  in,  almost  exposed,  460 

exposed,  357,  372,  404 
recurrence  of,  414 
of  secondary  dentin,. 371 
self-healed,  371 
simple,  396 
spreading,  371 
stages  of,  396 
structure  of  teeth  in,  335 
sulphocyanide  in,  339 
superficial,  395 
symptoms  of,  373 
of  temporary  teeth,  411 
terminations  of,  372 
therapeutics  of,  395 
transparent  zone  in,  360 
tube  casts  in,  359 
under  fillings,  359 
Caroid,  use  of,  131 
Caseation,  78 
Castor  oil,  use  of,  198,  728 
Catabolism,  23 
Cataphoresis  as  test,  538 

in  hypersensitive  dentin,  385 
Cataplasma  kaolini,  use  of,  226,  580 
Cathartics,  use  of,  118,  575 
Cautery,  actual,  use  of,  295,  394 
electric,  use  of,  295,  393 
Caustics,  use  of,  131 
Cells,  chemical  changes  in,  23,  24 
composition  of,  17 
giant,  62 

hypertrophy  of,  62 
life  conditions  of,  24 
movements  of,  19 
nucleus  of,  IS 
properties  of,  19 

phagocytic,  19 
receptors  of,  23,  54 
reproduction  of,  19 


758 


INDEX 


Cells,  stimulation  of,  effects  of,  21,  62 

stimuli  of,  20 
Cellulitis,  submaxillary,  748 
Cement,  substance,  interprismatic,  156 

oxychlorid  of  zinc.    See  Zinc. 

oxyphosphate     of     copper.       See 
Copper. 

oxysulphate  of  zinc.    See  Zinc. 

silicate,  use  of,  306,  397 

zinc  phosphate.    See  Zinc. 
Cementum  in  dental  caries,  364,  372 

formation  of,  160 

histology  of,  173 

malformations  of  microscopic,  241 

relation  of,  to  enamel,  173 
Chalk  mixture,  use  of,  198 

use  of,  305 
Chemotaxis,  51 
Chloral,  use  of,  381 

hydrate,  use  of,  204 
Chlorin,  use  of,  318,  557 

nascent,  use  of,  556,  557 
Chloroform,  use  of,  389,  450,  451,  457 
Chloro-percha,  use  of,  457,  526,  559 
Chlorophyll,  chemical  action  of,  36 
Chlorosis,  109 

Chorea  from  dentition,  223,  721 
Chromic  acid,  use  of,  392 
Chromogenic  bacteria,  41 
Cinnamon,  oil  of,  use  of,  703 
Circulation,  disturbances  of,  107 

local,  116 
Cleansing  of  teeth,  416 
Cleft  palate,  embryology  of,  150 
Clot,  absorption  of,  135 

septic,  142 
Cloudy  swelling,  78 
Cloves,  oil  of,  use  of,  406,  450 
Coagulation  of  blood,  110,  120,  123 

necrosis,  85 
Coagulants,  use  of,  368 
Cobalt,  use  of,  502 
Cocain,  systemic  effects  of,  494 

use  of,  384,  368,  440,  490,  493 
Codein,  use  of,  466 
Cold,  use  of,  118,  131,  226 
Colloid  degeneration,  81 
Color  of  teeth,  284 
Complement,  56 
Compress,  use  of,  114,  226,  581 
Concrescence  of  teeth,  251 

diagnosis  of,  224 
Conical  teeth,  242 

Constipation,  dental  pain  from,  727 
Copper  amalgam,  use  of,  403,  408,  536 

oxyphosphate  of,  use  of,  403,  413, 
536,  691 

sulphate,  use  of,  702 
Cords,  dental,  153,  155 
Cotton  root  dressings,  dangers  of,  544, 
610 

salicylized,  use  of,  690 

tampons,  danger  of,  578 

use  of,  as  root  filling,  528,  .529 
Counterirritants,  use  of,  131,  451 


Counterpressure  in  opening  tooth,  574 
Credo's  ointment,  use  of,  143 
Creosote,  use  of,  532 
Crowns,  cantilever,  use  of,  409 

removable,  559 
Crypts  of  teeth,  relations  of,  160 
Cup  gum,  use  of,  597 
Cups,  use  of,  118 
Curette,  use  of,  131 
Cusps,  supplemental,  257 
Cysts  associated  with  apical  conditions, 
589 

causes  of,  63 

dentigerous,  63,  279 

dermoid,  64 

teeth  in,  65 

impacted  teeth  as  cause  of,  63,  279 

varieties  of,  63 


Deafness,  dental,  cause  of,  623,  721 
Decalcification    of    dentin    in    dental 
caries,  356 
of  teeth,  66,  207,  343 
Degeneration,  75 

calcific,  of  pulp,  441 
cloudy,  of  pulp,  488 
colloid,  81 

of  pulp,  488 
fatty,  75,  120 

of  pulp,  488 
fibroid,  460 

of  pericementum,  637 
of  pulp,  484 
hyalin,  79 

in  mouth,  79 
of  mucous  membrane,  79 
lardaceous,  81 
mucoid,  80 

of  mucous  membrane,  80 
nerve-end  of  pulp,  488 
of  pericementum,  630 
Dental  structure,  transparency  of,  66 
Dentigerous  cysts,  63,  279 
Dentin  in  dental  caries,  351 

decalcification  of,  356 
secondary,  371 
development  of,  155 
granular  layer  of,  238 
histology  of,  167 
hypersensitivity  of,  375 
causes  of,  376 
diagnosis  of,  380 
pathology  of,  376 
symptoms  of,  378 
treatment  of,  380 
interglobular  spaces  in,  238 
lines  in,  167 

of  Schreger  in,  167,  239 
malformations  of,  microscopic,  238 
recalcification  of,  403 
resorption  of,  431,  462,  480 
secondary,  426 


INDEX 


759 


Dentin,   secondary,   bacterial   penetra- 
tion of,  433,  467 
caries  of,  371 
neuralgia  from,  432 
resistance  to  acid  by,  371,  629 
staining  of,  316,  362,  554 
by  putrefaction,  554 
stains  of,  treatment  of,  317,  556 
tubes  of,  167 

tubular  calcification  of,  425 
tumor  of,  430 
Dentinal  papilla,  153 
Dentition,  cause  of,  185 

constitutional     states     modifying, 

205 
normal,  187 
pathological,  first,  189 

as  cause  of  epilepsy,  191 
climate  and  weather  in,   191, 

192 
convulsions  in,  194 
diet  in,  199 
headache  in,  194 
hemophilia  in,  197 
hemorrhage  after  lancing  in, 

196 
intestinal     complications     in, 
192,  198 
feeding  after,  199 
lancing  in,  195 
nervous  disturbances  in,   193, 

204 
paralysis  in,  194 
pulmonary     disturbances     in, 

195 
shock  after  lancing  in,  197 
skin  disorders  in,  195,  197 
strabismus  in,  194 
systemic    conditions    influenc- 
ing, 205,  222 
symptoms  of,  191 
treatment  of,  195 
periods  of,  188 
process  of,  187 
second,  206 

disorders  of,  212 
irregularities  of,  212 
necrosis  in,  221 
pathological,  222 
symptoms  of,  189 
Depletion  of  gum,  465,  575 

of  pulp,  457,  465 
Derivation,  use  of,  118,  466,  575,  617 
Dermoid  cysts,  64 

teeth  in,  65 
Development  of  face,  147 

of  teeth,  153 
Devitalization  of  pulp,  497 
Devitalizing  fiber,  use  of,  502 
Diabetes  meUitus,  95 
Diagnosis,  definition  of,  25 

forms  of,  25 
Diathesis,  acquired,  87 
gouty,  98 
hemorrhagic,  113 


Diathesis,  hyperacid,  60,  87 
Dilaceration  of  teeth,  254 
Disease,  bacterial  causes  of,  34 

basis  of,  21,  24 

causes  of,  27 

clinical  history  of,  25 

existing,  as  a  predisposition,  32 

functional,  25 

predisposition  to,  29 

previous,  as  a  predisposition,  32 
Discoloration  by  putrefaction  of  pulp, 

554 
Dislocation  of  teeth,  639 
Disuse  of  teeth,  634 
Dobell's  solution,  use  of,  602,  732 
Donaldson  cleaners,  use  of,  570 
Dover's  powders,  use  of,  575 
Downie  broaches,  use  of,  509 
Drill,  Beutelrock,  use  of,  612 

Gates-Glidden,  use  of,  513 

spear,  use  of,  573 

use  of,  508 
Dropsical  infiltration,  81 
Drugs,  intoxication  by,  94 
Dry  cups,  use  of,  118,  596 
Dryness,  use  of,  382 
Dwarfism  of  teeth,  242 
Dysentery,  ameba  of,  35 


E 


Ear,  disease  of,  from  dental  cause,  623, 

724 
Eburnation  in  dental  caries,  362,  371 
Ecchymosis,  113 

Ehrlich's  theory  of  immunity,  54 
Electrical  disinfection  of  root  canal,  552, 

587 
Electricity  as  test,  538 
Electrolysis,  cataphoric,  515,  552 
Emboli,  septic,  113 
EmboHsm,  112 
Embryology  of  face,  147 

of  teeth,  153 
Emphysema  of  cheek  from  air  pressure, 

550,  594 
Empyema  of  antrum,  600,  604 
Enamel,  agenesia  of,  238 

in  dental  carieS;  324,  344 

development  of,  156 

formation  of,  effect  of  exanthemata 
upon,  234 

fracture  of,  306,  309 

histology  of,  157,  233 

tubes,  Caush's,  165,  167,  232 

hypoplasia  of,  234,  237 

lines  of  Schreger  in,  165 

malformation  of,  macroscopic,  230 
microscopic,  233 

nodule,  256 

opaque  spots  in,  229 

organic  matter  in,  165 

parts  of,  164 

relation  of,  to  cementum,  173 


760 


INDEX 


Enamel,  resorption  of,  296 
sensitivity  of,  167 
stains  upon,  312 
strise  of,  165,  234 
stripes  of  Retzius  in,  234 

of  Schreger  in,  233 
tubes  of,  165,  233 
unusual  location  of,  255 
Endarteritis  obliterans,  77,  653 
Energy,  nerve,  loss  of,  23,  104 

sources  of,  23,  93 
Epilepsy  from  dental  disease,  191,  721 
pathological  dentition  as  cause  of, 
191 
Ergot,  use  of,  115,  118,  131 
Erosion  of  teeth,  297 
acids  in,  298 

extraneous,  301 
causes  of,  298 
diagnosis  of,  303 
effects  of,  303 

malnutrition  upon,  90, 299 
possible  action  of  glycogen  in, 

79 
systemic  factors  in,  299 
treatment  of,  305 
Eruption    of    teeth,    causes    of.      See 

Dentition 
Escharotics,  effects  of,  28,  615 
Ether,  use  of,  384,  389 
Ethyl  chlorid,   use  of,   383,   401,   496 

576,  579 
Etiology,  definition  of,.  25 
Eucalyptol,  use  of,  529,  549,  552 
Eugenol,  use  of,  406,  450 
Evans'  root  drier,  use  of,  527 
Exanthemata,  145 

malformations  caused  by,  145 
necrosis  caused  by,  145,  221 
Exostosis  of  alveolai  process,  623 
Extravasation  of  blood,  113 
Extirpation  of  pulp,  508 
Eye,  disease  of,  from  dental  cause,  623, 
724 


Face,  development  of,  147 

embryology  of,  147 

fistula  on,  treatment  of,  602 
Fat,  degeneration  of,  76 

infiltration  of,  76 

necrosis  of,  85 
Fermentation,  bacteria  as  causes  of,  41 

definition  of,  41 

products  of,  42,  43 

of  proteid  matter,  43 
Ferments  organized,  41 

unorganized,  42 

varieties  of,  43 
Fever,  139 

Fibrin,  formation  of,  110 
Fibroma,  71 

Fibrosis  of  pericementum,  637 
Filling  materials,  use  of,  398 


Fistulae,  128 

in  antrum,  600 

causes  of,  592 

on  face,  threatened,  575,  602 
treatment  of,  602 

healing  of,  596 

making  artificial,  576,  589 

packing,  579 

premature  closure  of,  131,  579 
Flagg's  operation  for  scar,  602 
Fletcher's  carbolized  resin,  use  of,  393 
Flexion  of  teeth,  255 
Flora,  normal,  44 
Floss  silk,  use  of,  417,  529 
Folhcle,  dental,  155,  160 

wall  of,  155,  158 
Food,  chemical  changes  in,  23 

supply,  abnormal,  27 
Foramen,  wide  treatment  of,  529 
Formagen,  use  of,  402,  451,  537 
Forma-Percha,  use  of,  526,  546,  596 
Formaldehyd,  action  of,  upon  products 
of  putrefaction,  546,  548 

uses  of,  392,   421,  452,   522,   546, 
587,  646 
Formo-cresol,  use  of,  492,  547,  557 
Fracture  of  alveolar  process,  639 

of  teeth,  306 

repair  of,  308,  431 
reunited,  308,  431 
treatment  of,  309 
Fungi  as  ferments,  41 

vegetable,  35 
Fusion  of  teeth,  249 


G 


Gallstones,  origin  of,  83,  659 
Gangrene,  86 

circumscribed,  83 
dry,  86 
moist,  86 

discoloration  from,  554 
of  pulp,  537 
dry,  537 
moist,  540,  558 
partial,  545 
Galvanism,  sterilization  by,  552 
Gastric  juice,  action  of,  on  bacteria,  49 
Gaultheria,  oil  of,  use  of,  703 
Gelatin,  use  and  danger  of,  115 
Gemination  of  teeth,  254 
Geranium-formol,  use  of,  547 
Germicides,  action  of,  60,  749 
Giantism  of  teeth,  241 
Gingivitis,  641 

antiseptic  washes  in,  646 
astringent  washes  in   646 
interstitial,  648 
resorption  of  bone  in,  652 
deeply  seated,  648 
marginal,  642 
systemic  causes  of,  649 
Glycerin,  use  of,  383 


INDEX 


761 


Glycogen,  infiltration  of,  79 
Glycogenic  infiltration  in  dental  caries, 

334 
Gonorrhea  of  mouth,  743 
Gout,  96 

chronic,  97 

contrasted  with  rheumatism,  101 

diet  in,  99 

oral  effects  of,  568 

relation  of,  to  teeth,  710 

salts  deposited  in,  82,  97 

treatment  of,  99 
Goutiness,  98 

treatment  of,  99 
Granulations  in  regeneration,  132 
Grippe,  dental  pain  from,  727 
Guards  in  pericementitis,  452,  574,  618 
Gum,  depletion  of,  465 

glycogenic  infiltration  of,  79 

hyperplastic,  478 

laceration  of,  640 

lancing  of,  196,  225,  576,  579 

marginal  atrophy  of,  656 

Harlan's  method  in,  657 

tissue,  action  of  arsenic  on,  504 
Gutta-percha,    eucalyptol    solution    of, 
use  of,  400,  526 

use  of,  400,  409,  451,  526,  530,  596 


Halisteresis  ossium,  139 
Hamamelis  distillate,  use  of,  579 
Hands,  sterilization  of,  750 
Harelip,  151 
Headache  in  dentition,  194 

from  pulp  diseases,  720 
Healing  by  second  intention,  132 

under  a  clot,  135 
Heat,  use  of,  118,  131 
Hematogenic  calculus,  658,  677 
Hemoglobin,  derivatives  of,  83 
Hemophilia,  113 

in  dentition,  197 
Hemorrhage,  acetanilid  as  cause  of,  115 

after  extraction,  640 

pulp  removal,  492 

local,  treatment  of,  115,  588,  640 

replantation  for,  114 

treatment  of,  115 

varieties  of,  113 
Hemorrhagic  diathesis,  113 

sex  in,  114 
Heredity  as  a  predisposition,  31 
Herpes  labialis,  745 

zoster,  745 
Histology,  morbid,  25 
Hoffendahl,  electric  method  of,  552 
Hot  water,  use  of,  389 
Hutchinson's  teeth,  244 
Hydrogen  dioxid,  use  of,  137,  226,  471, 
580,  597 

dangers  of,  589 
Hydronaphthol,  use  of,  400,  646,  657 


Hydrastis,  use  of,  115 
Hygiene,  definition  of,  26 
Hyoscyaniin,  use  of,  381 
Hyperacidity,  59,  95,  96,  100,  279 
Hyj)oracidosis,  89,  95,  96,  100 
Hypercementosis,  620 

reflex  neuroses  from,  556,  721 
Hyperemia,  arterial,  116 
collateral,  117 
compensatory,  117 
degrees  of,  117 
pathology  of,  117 
of  pulp,  477 

arterial,  445 
devitalization  in,  451 
from  arsenic,  497 
from  electric  action,  454 
idiopathic,  453 
thermal  toleration  in,  453 
from  root  resorption,  623 
venous,  455 

devitalization  in,  451 
from  hanging,  457 
reflex,  116 
suffusion  in,  455 
as  a  resistance  to  infection,  1 18 
results  of,  117 
symptoms  of,  117 
treatment  of,  118 
venous,  119,  121 

suffusion  from,  455 
Hypernutrition,  61 
Hyperplasia,  63 

Hypersensitivity  of  dentin,  373,  375 
Hypertrophy,  62 

of  cell,  62 
Hj^phomycetes,  36 
Hypnotism,  use  of,  381 
Hyponutrition,  74 
Hypoplasia,  74,  243 
of  enamel,  243 
Hypophosphites,  use  of,  462 


IcHTHYOL,  use  of,  143,  737 
Immunity,  33 
acquired,  52 
and  disease,  29 
Ehrhch's  theory  of,  54 
influences  conferring,  33 
local,  33 
lost,  33,  51 
natural,  51 
Impaction  of  teeth,  269 

as  cause  of  cysts,  63,  279 
death  of  pulp  from,  279 
diagnosis  of,  280 
neuralgia  from,  277 
resorption  of  roots  from,  279, 

627 
symptoms  of,  277 
treatment  of,  223,  281 
Implantation,  600 


762 


INDEX 


Inanition,  92 

Indican  as  an  index  of  malnutrition,  91 

Indol,  94 

Infants,  feeding  of,  199 

Infarction,  113 

of  pulp,  484 
Infection,  classes  of,  45 
general  septic,  142 
of  mouth,  729 
predisposition  to,  29,  30,  33 
resistance  of  tissue  to,  49 
spreading  of,  45 
Infiltration,  calcareous,  82 
dropsical,  81 
fatty,  76 
glycogenic,  79 
pigmentary,  83 
Inflammation,  120 

bacteria  in,  121,  125 
bloodletting  in,  118,  131 
of  bone,  136,  604 
causes  of,  120 
derivation  in,  118 
exudates  of,  120,  122,  125 
infective,  125 
necrosis  in,  126 
pathology  of,  121,  125,  126 
of  pulp,  458 

chronic,  469,  475 
resolution  in,  124,  126,  131 
simple,  120 
stimulation  in,  131 
suppurative,  126 
symptoms  of,  124,  125,  129 

general,  125,  129 
treatment  of,  131 
Inoculation  by  bacteria,  44 
Insanity  from  dental  disease,  726 
Insomnia  from  dental  disease,  677 
Instruments,  sterilization  of,  749 
Insulator,  295 

Intermaxillary  bone,  failure  of  develop- 
ment of,  152 
formation  of,  147 
Interstitial  gingivitis,  648 
Intestinal  complications  in  pathological 

dentition,  192,  198 
Intoxications,  94 
acid,  96 
bacterial,  95 
drug,  94 
intestinal,  94 
intrinsic,  95,  96 
Intubation  of  root,  559 
lodin,  dental,  tincture  of,  451,  481,  646 

use  of,  483,  525,  554 
Iodoform,  use  of,  131,  526,  546,  548 
lodoglycerol,  use  of,  646 
Iron,  chlorid  of,  tincture  of,  use  of,  333, 

580 
Ischemia,  116 


Joining  of  teeth,  400,  693 
Jugulation  of  pulp,  456 


Kerr  broaches,  uses  of,  509 
Krameria,  use  of,  646 


Laceration  of  soft  tissues  of  mouth, 

640 
Lactic  acid,  use  of,  513,  524 
Lacunae,  Howship's,  138 
La  grippe  as  cause  of  antral  disease,  604 
Lancing  for  abscess,  576,  579 

gum,  196,  225,  576,  579 
Lanolin,  use  of,  143 
Laudanum,  use  of,  118,  198 
Lead,  oral  effects  of,  649 

use  of,  118 

water,  use  of,  118,  575 
Leeches,  use  of,  575 
Leukemia,  107,  109 
Leukocytosis,  107,  109 
Leukoplakia  buccalis,  745 
Lichen  planus,  746 
Lime  water,  use  of,  418,  421 
Listerine,  use  of,  198,  647 
Lithemia,  100 

treatment  of,  100 
Lithia  salts,  use  of,  655 
Liver,  functions  of,  92 

in  general  malnutrition,  92 
Ludwig's  angina,  748 
Luxation  of  teeth,  639 


M 


Jaw,  enlargement  of,  cause  of,  163 
Jodoformagen,  use  of,  402,  406,  451,  537 


Magnesia,  milk  of,  use  of,  305,  418,  419 

sulphate  of,  use  of,  226,  466 
Malaria,  dental  pain  from,  716,  726 
Malformations,  macroscopic,  241 

microscopic,  229 

of  roots,  258,  516 

of  teeth,  229 
Malnutrition,  causes  of,  23,  87 

general,  87 

autointoxication  in,  90 
cause  of,  88 
diet  in,  91,  99 
liver  in,  91 

from  gingivitis,  705 
Malocclusion  of  teeth,  632 

causes  of,  212 

classification  of,  213 
Malpositions  of  teeth,  267 
Massage,  use  of,  227 

vibratory,  580 
Maxillae,  embryology  of,  147 
Maxillary  rampart,  153 
Meckel's  cartilage,  152 


INDEX 


763 


Melancliolia  from  dental  disease,  726 
Menthol,  use  of,  388,  389,  457,  574,  726 
Menthol-phenol,  use  of,  450 
Mercury,  bichlorid  of,  use  of,  131,  132, 
143,  144,  418,  533,  578,  580,  619 
as  cause  of  stomatitis,  649 
oral  effects  of,  619,  649 
Talbot's  experiments  on  dogs  with, 
614 
Metabolism,  diseases  of,  87 
Metastasis,  144 
Methvl  chlorid,  use  of,  383,  496,  576, 

579 
Microorganisms,  as  disease  causes,  35 
Milk,  modified,  195,  199 

Pasteurized,  195,  196,  199 
Morphin,  use  of,  132,  381,  466,  575 
Motor  reflexes  from  dental  disease,  725 
Mouth,  actinomycosis  of,  743 
asepsis  of,  417 
bacteria  of,  46 

general  infection  by,  142 
pathogenic,  46 
breathing,  215,  218 
gangrene  of,  735 
gonorrhea  of,  743 
hyalin  degeneration  in,  79 
infections  of,  729 
lamp,  electric,  use  of,  373,  538 
sepsis  from,  419 

soft  tissues  of,  laceration  of,  640 
sterilization  of,  514 
syphilis  of,  737 
tuberculosis  of,  742 
washes,  application  of,  418,  646 
Mucin,  characteristics  of,  SO 

in  dental  caries,  334 
Mucoid  degeneration,  SO 

of  mucous  membrane,  80 
Mucous  membrane,  glycogen  in,  79 
hyaUn  degeneration  of,  79 
mucoid  degeneration  of,  80 
overstimulation  of,  effects  of, 
79 
Mummification  of  pulp,  493,  537 
Mummifj-ing  paste,  arsenic  and,  505 
Mustard,  use  of,  118 
Myers'  syringe,  493 
use  of,  387 
Myrrh,  tincture  of,  use  of,  619,  646 


N 


Xasmtth's  membrane,  159.  164 

in  dental  caries,  351 
Necrobiosis,  84 
Necrosis,  84 

after  extraction,  578 
of  alveolar  bone,  606 
of  bone,  138 

from    alveolodental     abscess, 

598 
from  syphilis,  607,  741 
coagulation,  85,  127 


Necrosis,  etiology  of,  84 

of  fat,  85 

from  exanthemata,  221 

from  typhoid  fever,  221 

hquefaction,  86 

phosphor,  747 

varieties  of,  84 
Neoplasm  of  pulp,  489 
Nerve  energy,  loss  of,  104 

suppl3%  abnormal,  28 

sensory,  of  face,  717 

trophic  influence  of,  28 

vasomotor,  116 
Nervocidin,  use  of.  389,  496 
Nervous  disturbances  in  dental  disease, 
715 
in  dentition,  193,  204 
Neuralgia,  cause  of,  etc  ,  715 
treatment  of,  727 

from  impacted  teeth,  277 

from  pulp  disease,  439,  446,  457, 
464,  472,  570 

from  secondary  dentin,  433 
Neurasthenia,  90,  104,  105 
Neuroma,  155 
Neuroses,  reflex,  715 
Nitric  acid,  use  of,  295,  392 
Nitrous  oxid  gas,  use  of,  380,  490 
Nodule,  cemental,  241 

in  pulp,  434 
Noma,  735 

Non-conductors,  uses  of,  400,  450 
Nosophen,  use  of,  131 
Nutrition,  basis  of,  22 

deficiency  of,  74 

disturbances  of,  24,  29,  61,  87 

excess  of,  61 


Obligate  bacteria,  41 
Odontalgia,  phantom,  723 
Odontoblasts,  154,  167,  172 

atrophy  of,  429,  477 

relation  of,  to  sensor}'  nerves,  172 
Odontomata,  259 
Oligocvthemia,  107 
Opiun{,  use  of,  115,  118,  131,  198 
Opsonic  index,  raising  of,  59,  597 
Opsonins,  57 
Organic  matter,  decomposition  of,  37, 
40 
fermentation  of,  41 
Organs,  composition  of,  22 
Orthoform,  use  of,  606 
Osteitis,  condensing,  137 

rarefying,  137 
Osteodentin,  431 
Osteomalacia,  420 
Osteomyelitis,  137 
Osteoporosis,  137 
Osteosclerosis.  137 
Overarch  bar,  use  of,  632 
Overfeeding,  93 


764 


INDEX 


Overuse  of  teeth,  631 

Oxaluria,  104 

Oxidation,  deficiency  of,  88 

excessive,  88 
Oxygen,  nascent,  use  of,  551,  556 


Pain,  dental,  from  other  sources  than 
dental,  726 
postextraction,  624,  640 
Palate,  cleft,  cause  of,  150 
Papain,  use  of,  535 
Papoid,  use  of,  131 

Paralysis  from  dental  disease,  722,  723, 
725 
in  dentition,  194 
Parasitic  bacteria,  40 
Paraffin,  use  of,  558,  596 
Paraform,  use  of,  493,  527 
Paraglossus,  295 
Pathogenic  bacteria,  40,  46 
Pathogenesis,  definition  of,  25 
Pathology,  basis  of,  17,  24,  26 
dental,  definition  of,  17 
general,  definition  of,  17 
Pediluvium,  hot,  use  of,  118,  575 
Peptones,  43,  120 

Perforation  as  cause  of  abscess,  of  root, 
514,  520,  535,  607 
fining  of,  536 
Perforations  by  caries,  372,  407 
Pericemental  abscess  of,  708 
Pericementitis,  515.    See  also  Pyorrhea 
alveolaris. 
acute  septic  apical,  561 

complicated,  603 
beginning  at  gum  margin,  641 
chronic,  effects  of,  619 

septic    apical    (non-purulent), 
609 
purulent,  584 
bUnd,  603 
with  fistula,  589 
without  fistula,  584 
gouty,  710 
non-septic,  614 
chemical,  615 
symptomatic,  618 
septic,  at  bifurcations  of  roots,  613 
in  the  temporary  teeth,  609 
traumatic,  614 
Pericementum,   blood   supply   to,    171, 
181 
calcospherites  in,  184 
cellular  element  of,  184 
flegeneration  of,  630,  637 

fibroid,  586 
development  of,  162 
diseases  of,  562 
fibrosis  of,  637 
function  of,  175 
glands  of,  184 
,    histology  of,  174 


Pericementum,  nerves  of,  182 

overuse  of,  631 
Periostitis,  maxillary,  593 
proliferative,  136 
suppurative,  137 
Peru,  balsam  of,  use  of,  599 
Petechia,  113 
Phagocytosis,  19,  50 
Phantom  odontalgia,  723 
Phenacetin,  use  of,  381,  466,  728 
Phenobromate,  use  of,  381 
Phenol  camphor,  use  of,  381,  406,  472 

sodique,  use  of,  194,  418,  640 
Phenolsulphonic  acid,  597 
Phosphates,  use  of,  305,  421 
Phosphaturia,  104 
Phosphor  necrosis,  747 
Phosphorus,  use  of,  305 
Physical  condition,  abnormal,  28 
Physiology,  morbid,  25 
Pigmentary  infiltration,  83 
Pigmentation  in  dental  caries,  362 
Pigments  in  tissue,  83 
Pilocarpin,  oral  effects  of,  618 
Pins,  removal  of,  550 
Piscidia  erythrina,  use  of,  381 
Plantation,  mode  of  attachment  in,  628 
Plaques,  microbic,  342 
Plaster  of  Paris,  use  of,  406 
Plethora,  107 

Pneumonia,  bacterium  of,  47 
Podophyllin,  use  of,  602 
Pointing,  128 
Polycythemia,  107 
Potassocain,  use  of,  384 
Potassium  bromid,  use  of,  728 

carbonate,  use  of,  383 

chlorate,  use  of,  194,  619,  646 

iodid,  ill  effects  of,  618 
Poultices,  danger  of,  581 

uses  of,  131 
Powder,  tooth,  use  of,  417 
Precipitins,  57 
Predisposition  to  disease,  29 

general,  29 

local,  32,  33,  45 
Pregnancy,  dental  pain  from,  727 
Pressure  anesthesia,  384,  398,  457,  465, 
471,  475,  482,  490,  507 
hemorrhage  after,  515,  615 
Prognosis,  definition  of,  25 
Prophylaxis,  416,  420 
Proteid,  composition  of,  18 

fermentation  of,  44 

use  of,  23 
Protoplasm,  composition  of,  18 

properties  of,  22 
Protozoa  as  disease  causes,  35 
Pseudoodontalgia,  723,  727 
Ptomains,  43 
Pulp,  abscess  of,  471 

action  of  arsenic  on,  497 

anesthesia  of.    See  Pressure. . 

arteriosclerosis  of,  476 

blood  supply,  169 


INDEX 


765 


Pulp,  capping  of,  405 

cavity  duplication  of,  254 

forms  of,  173 
constructive  diseases  of,  423 
death  of,  from  impaction,  279 

symptoms  of,  538,  545,  573 
degeneration  of,  424 

calcific,  441 

cloudy,  486 

colloid,  488 

fatty,  488 

fibroid,  484 

nerve,  488 
depletion  of,  575 
destructive  diseases  of,  444 
devitalization  of,  497 
digestion  of,  535 
exposure  of,  sj^mptoms  of,  404 

treatment  of,  405 
extirpation  of,  508 
gangrene  of,  537 

partial,  545 
histology  of,  167 
hyperemia  of,  445 

arterial,  445 

devitalization  in,  451 
from  electric  action,  454 
idiopathic,  453 
thermal  toleration  in,  453 

from  arsenic,  497 

venous,  455 

suffusion  in,  455 
hyperplasia  of,  477 
infarction  of,  484 
inflammation  of,  458 

chronic,  475 
jugulation  of,  456 
•'knocking  out,"  506 
mummification  of,  533 
neoplasm  of,  489 
nerves  of,  171 
nodules,  434 

and  arsenic,  440 
puncturing  of,  471,  457,  465,  507 
putrefaction  of,  540 
removal  of,  490,  508 

partial,  532 

special  methods  of,  506 
replantation  of,  vitality  after,  431 
sclerosis  of,  475 
suppuration  of,  466 
swelHng  of,  462 
thermal  tolerance  of,  424 
tissues,  action  of  arsenic  on,  497, 

502,  504 
toughening,  513 
ulceration  of,  469 
vitaUty  of,  tests  for,  538,  545,  573 
Pulpitis,  458 
acute,  459 
chronic,  475 

resorption  of  dentin  in,  462 
hyperplastic,  477 
Pumice,  use  of,  419 
Purpura  hsemorrhagica,  748 


Pus    formation,    stages    of,    in    apical 
abscess,  566 
varieties  of,  129 

Putrefaction,  43,  86,  142,  540 
formalin  in,  546 
germs    of,     effects    of    electricity 

upon,  552 
of  pulp,  537 

Pyemia,  144 

Pyocyaneo-protein,  use  of,  607 

Pyogenic  calculus,  677 

Pyorrhea  alveolaris,  678 

abscess  secondary  to,  685 
beginning    with    a    marginal 

gingivitis,  680 
bridge  and  plates  in,  700 
in  bifurcations  of  roots,  591 
causes  of,  678 
clinical  history  of,  681 
and  dental  caries,  687 
diagnosis  of,  688 
endarteritis  in ,  653 
gum  incision  in,  690 
heteroplasty  of  roots  in,  691 
interstitial  gingivitis  in,  630 
and  living  pulps,  687,  691 
looseness  in,  683 
malnutritional  factor  in,  648 
not  dependent  upon  calculus, 

706 
opsonic  index  in,  704 
oral  catarrh  in,  685 
pathology  of,  629 
prevention  of  motion  in,  693 
prophylaxis  in,  688,  704 
recurrence  of,  705 
replantation  in,  704 
root  amputation  in,  691 
splints  for  use  in,  693 
systemic  effects  of,  705 
symptoms  of,  681 
treatment  of,  688 

medicinal,  in,  701 
varieties  of,  680 

Pyrozone,  use  of,  500,  556,  596 


Q 


QuiNiN,  use  of,  132,  144,  443,  575,  580 


RacHiTis,  103 
Rampart,  maxillary,  153 
Recalcifi  cation  of  dentin,  403 
Receptors  of  cells,  23,  54 
Reflex  action,  189,  192,  715 

disorders  of  dental  origin,  715 
of  systemic  origin,  715,  726 

pain,  pathology  of,  720 
Refrigeration  in  hypersensitive  dentin, 
383 

use  of,  576 


766 


INDEX 


Regeneration  of  tissue,  132 
Replantation,  599 

secondary  dentin  after,  431 
for  hemorrhage,  114 
of  pulp,  vitality  after,  431 
of  teeth,  599 
Resorcin,  use  of,  143 
Resorption  of  bone,  138 

varieties  of,  138,  601 
of  permanent  roots,  271,  625 
of  temporary  roots,  207 
teeth,  207 
Retzius,  stripes  of,  in  enamel,  234 
Rhein,  root  methods  of,  520,  550,  596 
Rheumatism,  101 
chronic,  102 

contrasted  with  gout,  101 
muscular,  103 
treatment  of,  102 
Ridge,  dental,  153 
Robinson's  remedy,   use  of,  295,  391, 

691 
Root,  amputation  of,  598 
calcification  of,  162,  164 
canal,  accidents  in  opening,  523 
anatomy  of,  547 
electrical  disinfection  of,  587 
filUng  of,  525 
inaccessible  foramina  of,  531, 

550 
loss  of  continuity  of,  523 
development  of,  162 
drier,  Evans',  use  of,  527 
filling,  immediate,  515,  525 

removal  of,  549 
implantation,  600 
intubation,  559 
loss  of,  by  caries,  372,  410 
malformations  of,  258,  521 
multiple,  258 

perforation  of,  514,  524,  535 
permanent,  formation  of,  210 

resorption  of,  625 
replantation  of,  599 
resorption  of,  207,  625 
of  permanent,  625 
sterilization  of,  546 
temporary,  resorption  of,  207 
transplantation  of,  599 
Rose  geranium,  oil  of,  use  of,  547 


S 


Saccharin,  use  of,  198 

Saccharomyces     albicans     as     disease 
cause,  35,  730 

Salicylic  acid,  use  of,  646 

Saliva,  analysis  of,  661 

in  dental  caries,  334,  339 
in  general  malnutrition,  89,  299 
increased  flow  of,  191,  715 
infective  bacteria  in,  730 
non  germicidal  action  of.  48 

Salivary  calculus,  658 


Salivary  calculus,  analysis  of,  660 
foreign  bodies  in,  610 
hardening  of,  665 
mode  of  deposit  of,  663 
origin  of,  659 

pathological  effects  of,  667 
recurrence  of,  670,  673 
scalers  for,  668 
structure  of,  660 
Salol,  use  of,  132,  144,  198,  527,  580 
Salter,  lines  of,  in  dentin,  167 
Sanguinary  calculus,  623 
Sapremia,  142 

Saprophytic  bacteria,  41,  44 
Sarcoma,  70 
Schizomycetes,  37 
Schreger,  lines  of,  in  dentin,  167 

in  enamel,  233 
Sclerosis  of  pulp,  475 
Scorbutus,  103,  748 
Scurvy,  103 

infantile,  205 

oral  effects  of,  619 
Sedation,  results  of,  21 
Sedatives,  use  of,  450,  465,  475 
Sepsis,  dental,  420 

general,  of  dental  origin,  743 

intoxication  from,  141 
Septic  intoxication,  141 
Septicemia,  45,  142 

from  apical  abscess,  568,  579,  582 

threatened,  568,  579,  582 
Serres,  glands  of,  184 
Serum  therapy,  55,  74,  115 
Sheaths  of  Neuman,  167 
Silicate  cements,  use  of,  403,  413 
Silver,  Crede's  ointment,  use  of,  143 
soluble,  use  of,  144 

nitrate,  use  of,  295,  391,  412,  419, 
452 
Sinus,  128 

Skiagraphy,  use  of,  440,  572 
Skin  eruptions  in  dentition,  195 
Slough,  87 
Sodium  biborate,  use  of,  646 

bicarbonate,  use  of,  391,  655 

bromid,  use  of,  204 

chlorid,  use  of,  305,  525 

dioxid,  danger  of,  551 
use  of,  391,  551,  557 

and  potassium,  alloy  of,  use  of,  524 

sulphate,  use  of,  115,  418 
Somnoform,  use  of,  490 
Sphacelus,  87 

Sponge  grafting,  use  of,  608 
Stains,  black,  315 

in  dentin,  316 

green,  314 

metallic,  312 

non-metallic,  314 

red,  316 

tobacco,  316 

treatment  of,  317 
Starvation  of  tissue,  92 
Stellate,  reticulum,  154 


INDEX 


767 


Steresol,  use  of,  282 
Sterilization,  dental,  514,  749 
Stimulation,  effects  of,  61 

results  of,  21 
Staples,  use  of,  311 
Stomatitis,  643,  731 

classification  of  varieties,  732 

in  dentition,  195,  197 

infective  catarrhal,  732 

mercurial,  618 

beneficial   effects   of    mercury 
in,  619 

simple  catarrhal,  732 

symptomatic  catarrhal,  733 

ulcerosa,  643 

ulcerative,  734 
Strabismus  in  dentition,  194 
Stratum  intermedium,  154 
Strychnin,  use  of,  144,  728 
Subgingival  calculus,  673 
Suffusion,  113,  455 

from  arsenic,  498,  506 

from  hanging,  457 

from  venous  hyperemia,  455 
Sugar  in  diabetes,  95,  338 

as  source  of  energy,  23,  93 
Sulphocyanate,  use  of,  394 
sulphocyanids  in  dental  caries,  339 
Sulphuric  acid,  use  of,   115,  492,  511, 

524,  597 
Sulphurous  acid,  use  of,  558 
Supernumerary  teeth,  265 
Supplemental  cusps,  257 
Suppuration  in  inflammation,  126 

of  pulp,  446 
Suprarenal  extract,  use  of,  115 
Susceptibility  to  disease,  29 
Symptoms,  definition  of,  25 

objective,  25 

subjective,  25 
Synostosis,  dental,  625 
Syphilis,  dental  pain  from,  715,  741 

of  mouth,  737 

necrosis  of  bone  from,  607,  741 
oral  effects  of,  738 
Syphilitic  teeth,  244 
Syringe,  Myers',  493 


Tannin,  use  of,  383 
Teeth,  abrasion  of,  284 

absence  of,  262 

accidents  to,  639 

anomalies  of.     See  Malformations. 

attachment  of,  253,  639 

blood  supply  of,  181 

brushing  of,  416 

change  in  color  of,  284,  554 

cleansing  of,  416 

color  of,  289 

concrescence  of,  251 

conical,  742 

crypts  of,  relations  of,  160 


Teeth,  decalcification  of,  207,  343 
in  dermoid  cysts,  65 
development  of,  153 
discoloration  of,  455 
disuse  of,  634 
dwarfism  of,  242 
embryology  of,  153 
erosion  of,  297 
eruption  of,  causes  of,  185 
flexion  of,  255 
fractures  of,  306 
fusion  of,  249 
gemination  of,  254 
giantism  of,  241 
histology  of,  164 
Hutchinson's,  244 
impaction  of,  269 
injury  of  mechanical,  306 
joining  of,  400 
luxation  of,  639 
malformations  of,  229 
malocclusion  of,  213,  264,  267,  632 
malposition  of,  267 
overuse  of,  631 
permanent,  development  of,  162 

eruption  of,  206 
replantation  of,  599 
size  of,  variations  in,  241 
stains  on,  312 

structure  of,  in  dental  caries,  335 
supernumerary,  265 
supplemental  cusps  on,  257 
syphilitic,  234,  246 
temporary,  caries  in,  411 
eruption  of,  187 
devitalization  of,  507 
pericementitis  in,  609 
resorption  of  roots  of,  207 
retained,  212 
transplantation  of,  600 
variations  in  number  of,  262 
Temperament,  classes  of,  31 
Therapeutics,  basis  of,  20 
definition  of,  17,  25 
empirical,  26 
rational,  25 
Thrombosis,  111 
Thymol,  use  of,  406,  422,  450,  527,  533, 

534 
Thymophen,  use  of,  450 
Tic  douloureux,  725 
Tissue,  composition  of,  22 

excessive  destruction  of,  93 
food  supply  to,  22 
regeneration  of,  132 
resistance  of,  to  bacteria,  49 
starvation  of,  92 
waste,  excessive,  93 
Tomes,  granular  layer  of,  239 
Toxalbumins,  43 
Toxemia,  45,  128,  141 

in  general  malnutrition,  94 
Toxins,  43 

chemotactic  properties  of,  51 
as  ferments,  43 


768 


INDEX 


Toxins,  immunity  to,  52 

Toxoid,  56 

Toxon,  56 

Transparency     of     dental     structures, 

66 
Transparent  zone,  360 
Transplantation,  use  of,  599 
Trephine,  use  of,  577 
Trichloracetic  acid,  use  of,  481,  606 
Tricresol,  use  of,  503,  561 
Trioxymethylen,  use  of,  392 
Trophic  disturbance,  28 

from  dental  disease,  726 
Tube  casts  in  dental  caries,  359 
Tuberculosis  of  mouth,  742 
Tubes  of  dentin,  167,  354 

of  enamel,  165 
Tubular  calcification,  425 
Tumors,  66 

causes  of,  68 

classes  of,  68,  69 

definition  of,  64 

effects  of,  67,  70 

epithehal,  72 

malignancy,  66,  70 

metastasis  in,  70 

morbid  anatomy  of,  68,  70 

sarcomatous,  70 

treatment  of,  74 


U 

Ulceration,  130 

of  pulp,  469 
Uremia,  95 
Urates  in  pericementum,  710 

in  tissue,  97 
Uric  acid  in  gout,  96 
Uvula,  bifid,  152 


Vaccine  therapy,  59,  144 

Vapocain,  use  of,  384 

Vascular  system,  disturbances  of,  107 

Varnish,  use  of,  399,  402 

Vaselin,  use  of,  535,  581 

Vasomotor  nerves,  116 

Vegetable  fungi,  34,  36 

Venous  hyperemia,  suffusion  from,  455 

Veratrin,  use  of,  225 

Vincent's  angina,  749 


W 

Wall,  follicular,  155 

Waste  removal,  abnormal,  28 

Wax,  use  of,  527 

Wood  points,  use  of,  673 


X-RAY,  use  of,  440,  572 


Zinc  chlorid,  use  of,  596,  646 
iodid,  use  of,  646 

oxid  and  eugenol,  use  of,  402,  406, 
451 
use  of,  411 
oxychlorid  of,  use  of,  401,  402,  406, 

527,  556,  558 
oxysulphate,  use  of,  406 
phosphate,  use  of,  399,  401,  451 
sulphate,  use  of,  389 
Zooglea  of  bacteria,  39 


COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARIES 

This  book  is  due  on  the  date  indicated  below,  or  at  the 
expiration  of  a  definite  period  after  the  date  of  borrowing, 
as  provided  by  the  rules  of  the  Library  or  by  special  ar- 
rangement with  the  Librarian  in  charge. 


DATE  BORROWED 

DATE  DUE 

DATE  BORROWED 

DATE  DUE 

JCTl     ^^ 

I. 

DEC    6194! 

I 

- 

C28H  14O)M100 

COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITUIBRARIES  (hslslx) 

RK  301  B892  1912  C.1 

A  text  t)ook  of  dental  patholnqv  and  ther 


2002339153 


RK301 
I-  Burchard 


B89r^ 
1911? 


